STATE OF ALASKA

Department of Health and Social Services

Division of Public Assistance

TRANSMITTAL NUMBER:   MC #67

MANUAL:  Alaska Temporary Assistance Program

DATE:  December 1, 2020

Social Security announced a 1.3% COLACost of Living Allowance increase effective January 1, 2021. We have updated the Alaska Temporary Assistance Program (ATAP) income eligibility and shelter allowance standards to reflect the annual COLACost of Living Allowance adjustments in Social Security benefits. The new standards are effective beginning with the benefit month of January 2021. The Eligibility Information System (EIS) will automatically apply these new standards when determining eligibility and benefit amounts beginning January 2021.

Highlights of all the policy revisions are described below.  If you have any questions, please contact the Policy and Program Development Team at dpapolicy@alaska.gov.

OVERVIEW OF CHANGES

MS 705-4(B)             INFORMATION FROM DATA SYSTEMS AND EISEligibility Information System INTERFACES

• Replaced reference to CSSDChild Support Services Division's child support verification database, NSTARNorthern Support through Automated Resources with the name of their new database, WinStarState of Alaska Child Support Services Division System.

• Added IEVSInstant Eligibility Verification System as an interface that must be checked during the application process to comply with federal requirements.

MS 711-7                 TEMPORARY ABSENCE FROM HOME

• Added the reference "parent" in conjunction with "caretaker relative" to keep phrasing throughout the manual consistent.

• Added conditions and updated allowable circumstances for an allowable absence exceeding 30 days, to align with the TANFTemporary Assistance to Needy Families (Federal) State Plan.

MS 712-1                 DEFINITION OF A CARETAKER RELATIVE

• Replaced reference to CSSDChild Support Services Division's child support verification database, NSTARNorthern Support through Automated Resources with the name of their new database, WinStarState of Alaska Child Support Services Division System.

MS 712-3(B)            VERIFYING PARENTAL RELATIONSHIP FOR CHILDREN BORN IN ALASKA

• Replaced reference to CSSDChild Support Services Division's child support verification database, NSTARNorthern Support through Automated Resources with the name of their new database, WinStarState of Alaska Child Support Services Division System.

MS 780-1(G)            RATABLE REDUCTION

• Updated the ratable reduction to reflect the 2021 Social Security COLACost of Living Allowance increase.

MS 780-3                CALCULATING THE PAYMENT AMOUNT

• Updated the standards to reflect the 2021 Social Security COLACost of Living Allowance increase, along with examples A, B, C to reflect the updated Need Standards.

ADDENDUM 2      ALASKA TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE INCOME AND PROGRAM STANDARDS

• Updated the income eligibility standards and maximum shelter allowances for 2021.

• Updated the monetary amount referenced when determining deemed income of the stepparents, to the current pregnant woman need standard.