STATE OF ALASKA
Department of Health and Social Services
Division of Public Assistance
TRANSMITTAL NUMBER: MC #68
MANUAL: Alaska Temporary Assistance Program
DATE: April 1, 2021
The self-employment annualization table has been updated based on changes in the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG) for Alaska, effective April 1, 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 700-4 VERIFICATION AND DOCUMENTATION
Clarified that verification of shelter costs are required prior to allowing the deductions, due to a policy change that went into effect December 2020.
Added note clarifying that if obtaining verification of shelter costs would delay processing the initial application, the household may elect to have their application processed without the allowances.
MS 705 APPLICATION PROCESS
Added language regarding signature requirements.
MS 705-2 D WHAT IS AN IDENTIFIABLE APPLICATION?
MS 705-2 E WHO CAN SIGN THE APPLICATION FORM?
MS 705-4 VERIFICATION REQUIRED PRIOR TO ALLOWING DEDUCTIONS
Added verification requirement of shelter expenses, due to a policy change that went into effect December 2020.
Removed note about requirement to verify subsidized housing costs, since this requirement now pertains to ALL shelter costs.
MS 705-5 E WITHDRAWING AN APPLICATION
MS 712-3 PARENTAL RELATIONSHIPS
Added definition for CSSD's "Affidavit of Paternity" form.
MS 717-6 PROCEDURES FOR EXCHANGING INFORMATION
Updated Paternity Affidavit form number reference.
MS 754-9 LAND, STOCK, AND PAYMENTS MADE TO NATIVE AMERICANS
Added new subsection regarding Dingle Act Lands.
MS 757-8 CENSUS INCOME
Extended 2020 Census income exemption through October 31, 2021.
MS 759-6 INCOME FROM SELF-EMPLOYMENT
Updated the Self-Employment Standards due to FPL changes effective April 2021.
MS 780-19 SHELTER ALLOWANCE
Removed option to verify shelter costs when questionable, due to a police change that went into effect December 2020.
MS 780-19 H VERIFICATION OF SHELTER COSTS
Added verification requirement of shelter expenses, due to a policy change that went into effect December 2020.
MS 780-19 I WHEN SHELTER COSTS MUST BE VERIFIED
Subsection removed, content included in 780-19H.
MS 780-19 K VERIFICATION EXAMPLES
Section removed since examples of questionable shelter cost situations are no longer applicable due to a policy change that went into effect December 2020.
MS 790-1 CHANGE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
Removed option to verify shelter costs when questionable, due to a policy change that went into effect December 2020.
MS 790-5A REQUIRED VERIFICATION
Removed option to verify shelter costs when questionable, due to a policy change that went into effect December 2020.
MS 790-8 PERIODIC REVIEWS
ADDENDUM 2 TA INCOME AND PAYMENT STANDARDS
Updated the South Central Utility Region.