Page 21

IV. ALASKA TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (ATAP) BENEFITS Financial eligibility for ATAP is based primarily on family resources and income. Other family economic considerations include childcare, shelter costs, and the number of dependent children living in the home. ATAP payments are intended to help with basic living expenses and are calculated on a monthly basis. Eligibility is reviewed periodically and redeterminations are made whenever a change in family circumstances is reported. 12. FAMILY NEED The Division determines which individuals in the household are members of the ATAP economic unit. The Division establishes: • With whom the dependent child lives; • Who, of the individuals living with the dependent child, is responsible for the child and if their income and resources are available to the child; • If the child is financially needy; and • If any of the individuals in the household are legally or financially responsible for the dependent child’s caretaker relative. Financial need is determined to exist if the family resources and income are below the need standards set by the Department in regulation. There are four sets of need standards used to determine if a family is eligible to receive ATAP based on the composition of the family unit. The tables used to apply these standards are attached to this plan as Appendix A. These standards are adjusted each year by a percentage increase equal to the cost-of-living percentage increase in Social Security Insurance benefits. 12.1 RESOURCES ATAP rules allow families to keep up to $2,000 in assets, or $3,000 if the assistance unit includes an individual who is 60 years of age or older. Program rules will exclude the value of a vehicle that is necessary for family transportation, to participate in work or an approved work activity, as a family’s home, or to transport a disabled family member. The equity value of any non-exempt vehicles will be counted as part of the resource limit. 12.2 EARNED INCOME DEDUCTIONS As an incentive to employment, ATAP allows an earned income deduction when determining a participant’s payment amount. The earned income deductions are designed to encourage work and to ease the transition from assistance to paid employment. The following deductions are allowed when determining net income eligibility for individuals who have received ATAP in at least one of the previous four months: Alaska TANF State Plan P lan Effective December 31, 2025 17 | P a g e