Memo MC # 4

MEMORANDUM

DATE: December 3, 2001

TO: Adult Public Assistance Manual Holders

FROM: Ellie Fitzjarrald, Chief

Policy and Program Development Team

SUBJECT: Adult Public Assistance Manual Change #4

Effective January 1, 2002, a 2.6% Cost of Living Allowance ( COLA ) increase will be granted to recipients of Social Security and SSI . This COLA increase also affects the APA program. Beginning with the benefit month of January 2002, this manual change implements new APA need and maximum payment standards, increases the income limit for substantial gainful activity, and raises the earned income exclusion of a blind or disabled student child.

This manual change also adds new policy to exclude any payments to victims of Nazi persecution, incorporates the resource exemption policy for special needs or pooled trusts, and updates the manual index. It also makes minor technical corrections.

Implementation Dates: The 2002 COLA increases are effective January 1, 2002. All other changes are effective upon receipt of this manual change.

The explanation of the manual changes and the affected manual sections are described below. If you have any questions, please contact any member of the Policy and Program Development Team at 465-3347 or e-mail us at dpapolicy@health.state.ak.us.

Old Policy New Policy Section 425-1 , Definition of Blindness/Disability Defines substantial gainful activity ( SGA ) as an individual’s own average monthly earned income of $740. Raises the SGA amount to $780 per month. Section 425-3C , Blind or Disabled Applicants Who Do Not Appear Eligible for SSI and Have Not Been Determined Eligible for SSA Disability Instructs staff to send a copy of the APA application to the Disability Determination Service. Instructs staff to complete form Gen 141 , Referral for Disability Determination, and removes the requirement to send a copy of the APA application. Section 431-2F , Trust Property Describes APA trust policies. States that a trust that meets the Medicaid criteria for a special needs or pooled trust is not a resource. Section 432-4B , Payments to Victims of Nazi Persecution Excludes German reparation payments from resources. Adds new policy to exclude any payments to victims of Nazi persecution from resources. Section 442-2D , Earned Income Exclusion of a Blind or Disabled Student Child Provides for an earned income exclusion against the earnings of a blind or disabled student child of up to $1,290 per month, but not more than $5,200 per calendar year. Raises the earned income exclusion to $1,320 per month, and $5,340 per calendar year. Section 442-3A(14) , Payments to Victims of Nazi Persecution. New Section Adds new policy to exclude any payments to victims of Nazi persecution from income. Section 451-3, APA Need Standards Provides APA need standards for 2001. Updates the APA Need Standards for 2002. Section 452-6 , Issuance of APA Payments States that assistance payments are issued by state warrant. Adds the option of payment by direct deposit. Section 453, Maximum Payment Standards Gives APA and SSI maximum payment standards for 2001. Updates the APA and SSI maximum payment standards for 2002.

Manual Change Filing Instructions

Remove Old Pages Insert New Pages H-1 through H-2 H-1 through H-2 H-7 through H-8 H-7 through H-8 K-7 through K-8 K-7 through K-8 Chapter Contents (Chapter 432) Chapter Contents (Chapter 432) L-15 through L-16 L-15 through L-16 Chapter Contents (Chapter 442) Chapter Contents (Chapter 442) P-3 through P-4 P-3 through P-4 P-17 through P-22 P-17 through P-22 S-1 through S-2 S-1 through S-2 T-15 through T-16 T-15 through T-16 U-1 through U-2 U-1 through U-2 BB-1 through BB-12 (Old Index) BB-1 through BB-14 (New Index)