STATE OF ALASKA

      Department of Health

         Division of Public Assistance

TRANSMITTAL NUMBER:   MC #72

MANUAL:  Alaska Temporary Assistance Program

DATE:  September 1, 2022

The Alaska Temporary Assistance Program (ATAP) heating and non-heating utility standards change effective October 2022. The Eligibility Information System (EISEligibility Information System) will automatically apply these new standards when determining eligibility and benefit amounts beginning October 2022.

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

OVERVIEW OF CHANGES

MS 710-4        NATIVE FAMILY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS AND ELIGIBILITY FOR ALASKA TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE

• Clarified the time frame for which DPADivision of Public Assistance will consider a client's eligibility after a client provides proof they are ineligible to receive assistance through an NFAPNative Family Assistance Program.

MS 770-8A      SPONSORED ALIENS

• Clarified that SNAPSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program gross income limit is used to determine an alien's indigent status.

MS 780-19G    HOMELESS SHELTER DEDUCTION

• Updated the amount of the homeless shelter deduction.

Addendum 1   EXEMPT ALASKA NATIVE VILLAGES

• Updated the exempt Alaska Native villages based on the 2022 DOLDepartment of Labor and Workforce Development survey results.

Addendum 2   ATAPAlaska Temporary Assistance Program INCOME AND PAYMENT STANDARDS

• Updated the heating and non-heating utility standards for FFYFederal Fiscal Year 2023

Addendum 5   COUNTABLE AND EXCLUDED INCOME FOR ATAPAlaska Temporary Assistance Program

• Added new addendum similar to MAGIModified Adjusted Gross Income Addendum 3 showing examples of different incomes and whether they are considered countable income.