300__History
300-1 HISTORY AND OVERVIEW OF THE SENIOR BENEFITS PROGRAM
The Senior Benefits program was initially established in 2003 as the Senior
Assistance program. The Governor’s office used its executive authority to
establish the needs-based Senior Assistance program in response to the
needs of low-income Alaskans aged 65 and older who were financially
impacted by the elimination of the Alaska Longevity Bonus.
In 2004, the program was re-named SeniorCare and benefits were expanded
to include a prescription drug benefit. Seniors that passed the program’s
income and resource limits could choose to receive a drug benefit instead of
a cash payment.
When the SeniorCare program ended in 2007, the legislature created the
Senior Benefits Program. The new legislation created a varied payment level.
Monthly payment amounts are determined by the gross income level of the
applicant. Income limits are tied to the Alaska Federal Poverty Guideline and
will change each year as the poverty level changes. There is no asset test.
The Senior Benefits Program is authorized under Alaska Statutes 47.45.301
through 47.45.309 and the Alaska Administrative Code (State Regulations) at
7 AAC 47.545 through 7 AAC 47.599.
Previous Section
Next Section
1
Senior Benefits - Full Manual
300-2 VERIFICATION
Certain factors of eligibility must be verified to determine if an individual is
eligible for Senior Benefits.
A
Gross countable income requires documentary or third party verification.
Unless questionable, the Senior Benefits worker will accept the individual’s
statement(s) regarding the following factors of eligibility:



Age;
Alaska residency; and
Social Security Number.
B. QUESTIONABLE INFORMATION
2
300__History
Questionable information is unclear or inconsistent information that
contradicts a previous application, written or oral statements made by the
applicant, or other information received by the agency. Any information that
the Senior Benefits worker determines to be questionable must be verified if it
will affect the individual’s eligibility for Senior Benefits.
Reasonable judgment will be used to determine what other verification is
necessary to establish eligibility. Verification can be obtained through
documents, the Eligibility Information System (EIS), on-line system interfaces
(excluding SOLQ), or contacts with third parties, and can be used to establish
the accuracy of information stated on the application or provided by the
household.
C. RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE VERIFICATION
The applicant or recipient has the primary responsibility for providing
documentary evidence to support statements made, and to resolve any
questionable information. However, if the Senior Benefits worker can obtain
the needed evidence more easily or more quickly than the applicant or
recipient, they should do so. There is no need for the applicant or recipient to
provide proof of information that can be gathered through available Data
Systems and EIS interfaces. For example, if the Senior Benefits worker can
get the necessary information from:







Previous Section
State Data Exchange (SDX),
Beneficiary and Earnings Data Exchange (BENDEX),
State Verification Exchange System (SVES),
State of Alaska Department of Labor (DOL),
Automated Status Verification System (ASVS),
NSTAR or NFIN State of Alaska Child Support Services Division, or
State of Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend Division.
Next Section
3
310__Application
310 APPLICATION PROCESS
To be eligible for assistance, an individual, or a person acting on the
individual’s behalf must:



Submit an identifiable application;
Complete and sign the Senior Benefits Application form (Gen 152);
and
Provide documentation and verification needed to determine
program eligibility.
Note: An interview is not required for Senior Benefits applications.
The Senior Benefits Office in Wasilla is responsible for determining eligibility
for the Senior Benefits Program and maintaining Senior Benefits cases.
Applicants can apply at any DPA office, but all applications must be mailed or
faxed to the Senior Benefits Office as follows:
Division of Public Assistance
Senior Benefits Office
855 W. Commercial Drive
Wasilla, AK 99654
Phone: (907) 352-4150 or 1-888-352-4150 (toll-free)
Fax: (907) 357-2561 or 1-866-352-8539 (toll-free)
Senior Benefits Program applications are available from DPA offices, DPAcontracted fee agents, and senior centers. They may also be obtained online
through the Public Assistance, DPAweb, and Senior Information Office
websites.
The Senior Benefits cases have separate case numbers in EIS, and all cases
must be registered to District 030.
Previous Section
Next Section
5
Senior Benefits - Full Manual
310-1 THE APPLICATION FORM
3
6
310__Application
The Gen 152, Senior Benefits Program application is the form that is used to
apply for the Senior Benefits Program. Eligibility cannot be determined until
the household completes this application form. Faxed applications are
accepted.
3
7
Senior Benefits - Full Manual
1. Upon the individual’s first application for the Senior Benefits Program,
even if the individual is already a recipient of another DPA program.
2. Upon application from a denied, withdrawn, or closed status, unless
the denial or closure was the result of an administrative error.
3. Any time the Senior Benefits worker believes the individual’s
circumstances have changed sufficiently to justify conducting a special
redetermination of eligibility, including when an office conducts a
special review project for all or part of its caseload.
3
8
310__Application
1. To reopen a closed case as a result of an individual’s timely request for
a fair hearing, or to open or reopen a case as the result of a fair
hearing decision.
2. To reopen a case that has been closed incorrectly.
3. To redetermine eligibility after the application is denied for failing to
provide verification and the household provides the verification within
30 days from the application filing date.
4. When there is an address change.
5. To resume benefits after benefits have been suspended.
3
9
Senior Benefits - Full Manual
An identifiable application is a Senior Benefits Program application form (GEN
152) containing the applicant’s name, address, and signature (or witnessed
mark) of the individual seeking assistance, or of the individual’s authorized
representative. If an application is not identifiable, it should not be registered
in EIS. The application should be mailed back to the client with a short note
explaining what is required. Each DPA office must accept and date an
identifiable application when it is presented, register the application, and then
forward the application to the Senior Benefits Office for processing.
An individual who contacts a DPA office and who shows interest in the
program or a desire to apply shall be advised of his or her right to submit an
identifiable application on the date of the contact in order to establish the
benefit start date. The individual may file an identifiable application on an
acceptable application form, as described at manual section 310-1A.
10
310__Application
310-1 E. WHO CAN SIGN THE APPLICATION FORM?

An adult household member, age 18 years or older

An authorized representative

An individual who has legal authority to act on the applicant’s behalf
(i.e., Office of Public Advocacy, legal guardian)

An individual with appropriate power of attorney

A responsible person, if the individual filing the application is incapable
of applying or appointing an authorized representative
Any person has the right to apply for the Senior Benefits Program and can
sign the application. The proper person to sign the Senior Benefits
application is the applying senior. If both members of a married couple wish
to apply, they may do so on a single application form if both spouses sign the
form. If the applying adult is incompetent or incapacitated, or wishes to
appoint an authorized representative, a responsible person acting on the
individual’s behalf may also apply for him or her.
310-1 F. WHO CAN BE AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE?
A responsible adult, 18 years or older, may be designated by the applicant in
writing as an authorized representative. If the applicant is illiterate, his/her
mark must be witnessed by two individuals who must each sign their names
and date the document. No special form is required.
Authorized representatives may sign the application and act on behalf of the
household. A household member should prepare or review the application, if
possible, even though the authorized representative will be filing the
application.
310-1 G. COMPLETING THE APPLICATION
In addition to making an identifiable application and having it signed by an
eligible individual, the applicant must answer all of the questions on the
application form. If the application form is not completed, the Senior Benefits
worker will allow the household the opportunity to complete the form. In this
case, written notification will be sent to the household listing the items that
need to be completed.
Previous Section
Next Section
11
Senior Benefits - Full Manual
310-2 ACTIONS TAKEN ON THE APPLICATION
Every applicant must be provided with adequate written notice of the action
taken on his or her application. Adequate notice means that the individual is
informed of the action taken and the reasons for the action, including the
statute, regulation, or policy upon which the action is based.
3
An approval notice must be sent to the household following a determination of
eligibility. Except for delays described in manual section 310-2 F, Senior
Benefits workers must make the eligibility decision and mail written notice of
the decision within 30 days following the date of application.
12
310__Application
Note:
To prevent payment errors, the Senior Benefits worker must set a
manual EIS alert on any associated Food Stamp or Temporary
Assistance cases whenever Senior Benefits are approved. An EIS
work request has been submitted to automate this alert process,
and Senior Benefits workers will be advised once it is completed.
3
Senior Benefits are always issued for a full calendar month, and are not
prorated based on the date of application. The benefit start date for Senior
Benefits is the first month in which the applicant meets all eligibility
requirements for the Senior Benefits Program.
Note:
The Senior Benefits Program allows a one day - one month
provision. If a person is determined eligible for Senior Benefits for
13
Senior Benefits - Full Manual
any day during a month, the person is eligible for Senior Benefits for
the entire month.
3
When the office needs the applicant to submit a complete application form or
provide information needed to determine eligibility, the application is pended,
and a notice is sent. The notice clearly informs the applicant what is needed
to complete the application. Applicants will be given at least 10 days, but no
more than 30 days, to provide the necessary information. The Senior
Benefits worker may extend the pend period if the applicant needs additional
time to obtain the information.
3
14
310__Application
A denial notice must be sent to the applicant explaining the reason for the
denial. This notice should be sent as soon as possible following the
determination of ineligibility, but no later than 30 days following the application
filing date.
Applicants denied for failing to provide needed information by the end of the
pend period will be sent a notice of denial as soon as possible after the end of
the pend period. If the applicant provides the verification after the end of the
pend period but within 30 days of the application filing date, the Senior
Benefits worker must accept the verification and make an eligibility
determination without requiring a new application.
3
15
Senior Benefits - Full Manual
The applicant may voluntarily withdraw the application at any time before the
eligibility determination is made. A written or oral request to withdraw is
acceptable. The reason for the withdrawal (if known) shall be documented in
the case record. A notice shall be sent to the individual denying the
withdrawn application. If the individual wants to reapply, he or she must
complete a new application.
3
16
310__Application
If a household’s eligibility has not been determined or benefits have not been
authorized within 30 days of the application filing date, the application is
delayed. The Senior Benefits worker will determine the cause for the delay
and take appropriate action.

Agency-caused delays include cases where the application was not
approved, denied, or pended within allowable timeframes. If an
eligibility determination cannot be made by the 30th day from the
application filing date because of action required by the agency, the
case is left in pended status. The household must be sent a pend
notice by the 30th day.
17
Senior Benefits - Full Manual

Previous Section
18
Household-caused delays include situations where the office cannot
take further action on the application without an action by the
household. If the household fails to submit a complete application
form within 30 days of the application filing date, the application is
denied.
Next Section
320__Eligibility
320 FACTORS OF ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible for Senior Benefits, an individual must meet the following
eligibility criteria:




Previous Section
Age;
Alaska Residency;
Social Security Enumeration; and
Financial Need.
Next Section
19
321__Age
321 AGE
To be eligible for Senior Benefits, an individual must be age 65 or older. If the
information provided is questionable, the applicant’s age must be verified. An
official birth certificate is the best document for verifying age, but not the only
document. The case worker should be sure that an official birth certificate is
unavailable before using other documents to verify age. The case worker
may accept oral or written confirmation of a client’s date of birth from an office
of the Social Security Administration if SSA indicates that the client’s case file
contains documentary proof of age. Other acceptable documents that the
client may have are:




















Previous Section
Adoption records;
Baptismal certificate;
Confirmation papers;
Driver’s license;
Family Bible;
Hospital or midwife birth records;
Immigration or naturalization records;
Insurance company records;
Marriage license or records;
Military service papers;
Passport;
State or federal census records;
Voter registration card;
Draft Board records;
Employment records;
Labor union records;
Military service records;
Physician’s records;
School records; or
Vaccination records.
Next Section
21
322__Residency
322 ALASKA RESIDENCY
To be eligible for Senior Benefits, a person must be a resident of Alaska.
Previous Section
Next Section
23
Senior Benefits - Full Manual
322-1 DEFINITION OF ALASKA RESIDENCY
An Alaska resident is a person who:
1. Lives in Alaska voluntarily;
2. Is not in Alaska for a temporary purpose such as a vacation or a
business trip; and
3. Intends to make Alaska his or her home and has no intention of
leaving the State to take up residence somewhere else.
Previous Section
24
Next Section
322__Residency
322-2 ABSENCE FROM THE STATE OF ALASKA
Individuals who leave Alaska are not eligible for Senior Benefits during their
absence unless the individual absence is temporary and is for one of the
following reasons:
A. MEDICAL TREATMENT

To receive medical treatment for the individual;

To accompany the individual’s family member who is receiving medical
treatment outside the state. A family member means a person who is
legally related to the individual through marriage or guardianship; or is
the eligible individual’s sibling, parent, grandparent, son, daughter,
grandson, granddaughter, uncle, aunt, niece, nephew, or first cousin.
B. OTHER REASONS

For a vacation, business, trip, or other absence of less than 30
consecutive days. An extension may be allowed for special
circumstances beyond the individual’s control if the individual has
applied for and received a time extension from the Senior Benefits
Office. The Senior Benefits worker will use his or her prudent
judgment when determining whether special circumstances exist. For
example, special circumstances might exist if a senior is prevented
from returning to Alaska within 30 days because of a short-term illness,
but intends to return immediately once the illness ends.
An individual who expects to be absent from the state more than 30 days:
1. Must notify the department of the reason for the extended absence;
2. Must provide a written statement from a physician that the medical
treatment requires an absence from the state of 30 days or more;
3. May not establish residency outside the state; and
4. Must demonstrate to the department’s satisfaction that the individual
intends to return to the state once the medical treatment is completed.
Previous Section
Next Section
25
323__Social_Security_Number
323 SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER
A Social Security Number is an eligibility factor for Senior Benefits. To meet
this requirement, an applicant must provide a Social Security Number (SSN)
or show that he or she has applied for one. If an individual does not provide a
Social Security Number or show that he or she has applied for one, eligibility
for Senior Benefits does not exist.
Previous Section
Next Section
27
330__Income
330 INCOME
To be eligible for the Senior Benefits Program, an individual or spouse must
have countable income that does not exceed the income limits for Senior
Benefits. The countable incomes of both spouses who live together are
considered when determining a couple’s income eligibility, regardless of
whether or not the spouses are both eligible for assistance.
Note:
The Senior Benefit Program follows APA’s definition of a spouse at
APA MS 460-1 F.
Deductions are not allowed for dependents.
Previous Section
Next Section
29
Senior Benefits - Full Manual
330-1 INCOME LIMITS
The income limits and payment amounts for the Senior Benefits Program are
based on the Alaska Federal Poverty Guideline and will change each year as
the poverty level changes. The income limit and payment levels for 2014 are
listed below:
Income up to
75% of AK
Fed Poverty
level
Senior
Household
Individual
Couple
Previous Section
30

$250
monthly
paymen
t
$ 10,935/year
($912 per
month)
$14,745/year
($1,229 per
month)
Income
Income
between 75% between 100%
and 100% of
and 175% of
AK Fed
AK Fed Poverty
Poverty Level
level

$175
monthly
payment
$14,580/year
($1,215 per
month)
$19,660/year
($1,639 per
month)

$125
monthly
payment
$25,515/year
($2,127 per
month)
$34,405/year
($2,868 per
month)
Next Section
330__Income
330-2 COUNTABLE INCOME
Count the individual’s or couple’s gross annual income received or expected
to be received during the calendar year in which the Senior Benefits Program
application is received. Gross annual income means income before any
deductions or subtractions are made.
3
If one member of a couple enters a nursing home, the community spouse
allowance is countable income to the spouse that is not institutionalized.
31
Senior Benefits - Full Manual
Deposits made to the institutionalized spouse’s account remain countable
income to the community spouse.
Note:
When one member of a couple enters a nursing home, the spouse
remaining in the community is considered a one person household
since the couple is no longer living together.
3
32
330__Income
Deposits made to a joint account with a non-household member are legally
available to both parties on the account and are considered countable income
to both parties.
3
Interest income can be countable or excluded depending on the source of the
income.
Countable Interest: Interest that is readily accessible to the client is
countable income. Some examples include:



Bank Accounts – Account holder can make withdrawals at will.
401k – Investors can make withdrawals at will although there may be
a penalty if funds are withdrawn before the age of 59 ½.
IRA - Investors can make withdrawals at will although there may be
a penalty if funds are withdrawn before the age of 59 ½.
33
Senior Benefits - Full Manual


Keogh - Investors can make withdrawals at will although there may
be a penalty if funds are withdrawn before the age of 59 ½.
Series H/HH US Savings Bonds – A semi-annual interest payment is
made to the holder of the savings bond. These payments are
countable interest.
Excluded Interest: Interest that cannot be accessed by the client is
excluded income. Some examples include:



Previous Section
34
Certificates of Deposit – The interest is not available to the client
until the CD matures.
Series E/EE US Savings Bonds – Interest earned is not available
until the expiration of the minimum retention period.
Retirement Accounts – The periodic payments received from a
retirement account are countable income. The interest earned on
the account is added to the principal so is not considered income. If
the client is receiving periodic payments from the account they
cannot access the principal.
Next Section
330__Income
330-3 EXEMPT INCOME
Income Excluded by Federal Law. Any compensation or benefits that are
exempt under federal law are also excluded for Senior Benefits. This
includes Violent Crimes Compensation, Foster Grandparent/Elder Mentor and
Senior Companions programs.
Permanent Fund Dividends. Permanent Fund Dividends are not counted as
income for Senior Benefits.
Unavailable income. Income that is not legally available to meet the
individual’s or couple’s basic needs for food or shelter is not counted as
income for Senior Benefits. For example, an amount withheld from a benefit
payment to repay a debt or a previous overpayment would be considered as
unavailable income.
Money received by the household for the care of the child, such as child
support, foster care payments or adult not included TANF is considered
income for the child and is not available to the applicant.
Previous Section
Next Section
35
Senior Benefits - Full Manual
330-4 ITEMS THAT ARE NOT INCOME




Conversion or sale of a resource. Cash or property received from the
sale, exchange, or replacement of a resource is not income but is a
resource that has changed its form.
Reverse Mortgages. A reverse mortgage is a loan that must be paid
back at the end of the agreement.
Cash or in-kind item that is provided to replace or repair a resource
that has been lost, stolen or damaged.
Property Agreement. The principle received by the holder of the
agreement is considered a converted resource. Only the interest
received is countable income.
Example:
A Senior Benefits applicant sold her trailer for $5000. The
purchaser pays $500 to the bank which goes into an escrow
account. The bank, in turn, sends a payment to the applicant as
follows:
Payor fee: $0
Late Charge: $0
Interest: $206.54
Principle: $293.46
Payee Fee: $0
Check Fee: $2.50
The countable income is $204.04 ($206.54 interest - $2.50 check
fee)
Previous Section
36
Next Section
340__Payment
340-1 PAYMENT LEVEL
An individual who is eligible for the Senior Benefits Program will receive $125,
$175 or $250 each month as determined by their gross income level as
shown in the chart in SBP manual section 330-1. This benefit cannot be
assigned or garnished to satisfy a debt.
Previous Section
Next Section
37
Senior Benefits - Full Manual
340-2 PAYEE
An applicant or recipient may request that the Senior Benefits payment be
made to another person. This request must be made in writing. The
caseworker will make the designated person a payee, if, in his or her prudent
judgment, there is no substantial reason not to honor the request.
Previous Section
38
Next Section
340__Payment
340-3 PAYMENT DELIVERY
The Senior Benefits payment may be made by state warrant or by direct
deposit on a monthly basis. The monthly benefit will normally be paid to the
recipient on the first day of each month. However, the Eligibility Information
System (EIS) also has the capability of issuing initial benefit payments three
times a week.
Previous Section
Next Section
39
350__Institutions
350 INSTITUTIONAL RESIDENCY
An individual is not eligible for the Senior Benefits Program during any full
calendar month during which he or she lives throughout the month in:




A prison or jail;
A public or private institution for mental disease, such as the Alaska
Psychiatric Institute (API);
A nursing home; or
An Alaska Pioneers’ Home or the Alaska Veterans’ Home.
An individual may receive Senior Benefits for months during which the
individual is only institutionalized for part of the month. He or she must live
outside of the institution for at least one day of the month.
Previous Section
Next Section
41
Senior Benefits - Full Manual
350-1 CONTINUED BENEFITS FOR TEMPORARILY INSTITUTIONALIZED
RECIPIENT
A Senior Benefits recipient may continue to receive assistance for up to three
months while living in a long-term care facility, psychiatric facility, Alaska
Pioneers’ Home, or the Alaska Veterans’ Home that would otherwise result in
ineligibility for Senior Benefits. To qualify for continued Senior Benefits, the
individual must meet and fulfill all of the following requirements:
1. The individual must be eligible for Senior Benefits for the month that
he or she enters the institution.
2. The individual must live throughout the affected month in one or
more public medical or psychiatric institutions (including the Alaska
Psychiatric Institute) or in any other type of Medicaid facility.
3. A physician must certify, in writing, that the individual will live in the
institution for 90 days or less. The physician must prepare and date
this certification by the 90th day from admission to the institution, or
by the time the individual is actually released if the release happens
before the 90 days have elapsed.
4. The individual, or someone acting on the individual's behalf, must
show the need to pay some or all the expenses of maintaining a
home or living arrangement to which the individual may return. A
written statement that specifies this need is enough to verify the
individual's need to maintain a home or living arrangement, unless
the Senior Benefits worker has reason to believe otherwise.
Previous Section
42
Next Section
360__Case_Maintenance
360-1 REVIEWS
At least once each calendar year, Senior Benefits recipients, or a person
acting on their behalf, must complete a renewal application form. In addition
to the completed renewal application, the recipient must also provide any
other information or verification that is necessary to correctly redetermine the
recipient’s Senior Benefits eligibility. An interview is not required, but the
Senior Benefits worker may contact the recipient by phone or letter if more
information is needed to redetermine the recipient’s eligibility.
3
43
Senior Benefits - Full Manual
Renewal applications must be processed within 30 days after the date the
renewal application is received by a DPA Office.
3
Treat a renewal application that is received after the last day of the review
period the same as a new application. These applications must be processed
within 30 days after the date the application is received in a DPA Office.
3
44
360__Case_Maintenance
Adequate notice of action shall be mailed to a recipient once the renewal
application is processed, but only if there is no loss in benefits. Any adverse
action taken on a review, such as a suspension of benefits or termination of
assistance, may also require timely notice.
Previous Section
Next Section
45
Senior Benefits - Full Manual
360-2 CHANGES
3
46
360__Case_Maintenance
It is the responsibility of DPA to act promptly upon information from any
source if that information might affect a recipient's continued eligibility or
benefit amount. The case worker shall investigate any information that might
affect a recipient's eligibility or benefit amount and, if necessary, adjust the
amount of assistance or suspend or terminate assistance as necessary.
Action on changes must be taken within 10 days of the date the change
becomes known to DPA.
1. Changes that Result in Increased Benefits
Changes that result in increased benefits are effective the month the
report of change was received. If the benefit for the effective month is
already issued, the supplemental benefit must be issued by the tenth
of the month following receipt of all required verification.
2. Changes that Result in Decreased Benefits or Case Closure
Changes that result in decreased benefits or case closure are
effective the first day of the month following expiration of the adverse
notice period.
3
47
Senior Benefits - Full Manual
A Senior Benefits recipient, or an individual acting on the recipient’s behalf,
must report the following changes within 10 days from the date the client
knows of the change:




Change in mailing or residence address (including admission to or
discharge from a hospital or a nursing home);
Absence from the state for any reason for more than 30 days;
Death of a recipient or spouse; or
A change in income that may affect the amount of assistance.
All other changes must be reported annually on the review application.
Previous Section
48
Next Section
360__Case_Maintenance
49
Senior Benefits - Full Manual
360-3 SUSPENSION AND TERMINATION
3
If a recipient becomes ineligible for assistance, and it appears that the period
of ineligibility will not exceed three benefit months, the Senior Benefits case
will be suspended. A period of suspension may not exceed three months.
Assistance shall be reinstated without a new application if eligibility is again
found to exist at any time during the suspension period, or for the month
following the suspension period.
Note.
To prevent payment errors, the Senior Benefits worker must set a
manual EIS alert on any associated Food Stamp or Temporary
Assistance cases whenever Senior Benefits are suspended. An
EIS work request has been submitted to automate this alert
process, and Senior Benefits workers will be advised once it is
completed.
3
50
360__Case_Maintenance
If a recipient becomes ineligible for assistance and it appears that the period
of ineligibility will exceed three months, or is of uncertain or indefinite
duration, Senior Benefits assistance will be terminated. The individual must
reapply for assistance on Senior Benefits application form Gen 152 and
provide any other necessary documentation and/or verification to again
become eligible for assistance.
Note.
To prevent payment errors, the Senior Benefits worker must set a
manual EIS alert on any associated Food Stamp or Temporary
Assistance cases whenever Senior Benefits cash benefits are
terminated. An EIS work request has been submitted to automate
this alert process, and Senior Care workers will be advised once it
is completed.
Previous Section
Next Section
51
Senior Benefits - Full Manual
360-4 LOSS OF CONTACT
A Senior Benefits application shall be denied or an ongoing Senior Benefits
case shall be closed if DPA loses contact with the applicant or recipient. An
adequate notice of denial or closure shall be mailed to the applicant's or
recipient's last known address. Loss of contact has occurred when:
1. Mail sent to the individual's last known mailing address is returned
by the post office with no indication of a known forwarding address,
and the individual has not reported a new address; and
2. Reasonable attempts to locate the individual by using information in
the case file have failed.
Previous Section
52
Next Section
361__Notices
361 NOTICES
The Senior Benefits worker must send a written notice to an applicant or
recipient for every action taken on his or her case to approve, deny, close, or
change the amount of assistance. All notices must be adequate. Some
notices must be timely.
Previous Section
Next Section
53
Senior Benefits - Full Manual
361-1 ADEQUATE NOTICE
Every notice of action must be adequate. A notice of action is any notice that
informs an applicant or recipient of any action taken, or that will be taken, on
his or her case to approve, deny, terminate, or change the amount of
assistance. An adequate notice must:

Explain what action has been taken;

Explain why the action was taken;

Include the statute, regulation, or policy upon which the action is
based; and

Advise the individual of the right to request a fair hearing on any
action taken on his or her case. Notices generated by the Eligibility
Information System (EIS) contain this information on the back of the
paper stock on which they are printed.
Previous Section
54
Next Section
361__Notices
361-2
SITUATIONS THAT REQUIRE ONLY ADEQUATE NOTICE
For actions taken on a new application, adequate notice must be given or
mailed to the applicant by the workday following the day that the Senior
Benefits worker makes the eligibility determination.
For all other actions, adequate notice must be given or mailed no later than
the workday following the date the action is taken or the date the action
becomes effective, whichever is later. Adequate notice must be provided in
the following situations:
Previous Section

Action taken on a new application.

Action taken that is not an adverse action, such as an
increase in benefits.

Action to close a case because of the confirmed death of the
recipient.

Action to close a case because a recipient enters an ineligible
institution, such as a jail or a nursing home.

Action to issue a supplemental benefit to correct a previous
underpayment or to issue retroactive benefits.

Action to close a case because of the recipient’s request for
closure.

Action to close a case for loss of contact.
Next Section
55
Senior Benefits - Full Manual
361-3
TIMELY NOTICE
In addition to being adequate, some notices must also be timely. Timely
notice must be given for all adverse actions, except for those situations in
section 361-2 above. An adverse action is any action taken to suspend,
deny, or terminate benefits. Timely notice means that:
A. The notice meets all the requirements of an adequate notice; and
B. The Senior Benefits worker must give or mail notice to the applicant
or recipient at last 10 days before the date the action will become
effective.
Previous Section
56
Next Section
361__Notices
361-4
SITUATIONS THAT REQUIRE TIMELY NOTICE
The Senior Benefits worker must provide timely notice in the following
situations:

Action to terminate benefits

Action to reduce benefits.

Action to suspend benefits.

Adverse action taken on a review application.
Previous Section
Next Section
57
362__Fair_Hearings
362
FAIR HEARINGS
Any Senior Benefits applicant or recipient whose application is not acted on
within 30 days after its receipt, or who is affected by any adverse action taken on
his or her case may request a fair hearing. The fair hearing request may be
made orally or in writing to any employee of the Division of Public Assistance.
The lead worker in the Senior Benefits Office is responsible for conducting prehearing conferences.
Reasons for granting a fair hearing include:




Application not acted on within 30 days;
Application denied;
Reduction of benefits; or
Termination of assistance.
If a recipient wishes to appeal an adverse action taken on his or her case, he or
she must submit a hearing request within 30 days of receiving a notice of
adverse action. The recipient may, upon filing a timely fair hearing request have
benefits continued pending the fair hearing decision. For fair hearing availability,
policy, and procedures, refer to the Division’s Administrative Procedures manual,
Chapter 117.
Previous Section
Next Section
59
363__Claims
363
CLAIMS
A Senior Benefits Program recipient may occasionally receive more or less
assistance than he or she is entitled to.
3
If a Senior Benefits worker discovers that a recipient has been underpaid, he
or she will issue a corrective payment.
3
61
Senior Benefits - Full Manual
An overpayment means that a recipient has received Senior Benefits to which
he or she was not entitled. If a Senior Benefits worker becomes aware that a
recipient is being overpaid, he or she must take action to correct the Senior
Benefits.
The State statutes governing the Senior Benefits Program provide that an
individual is liable for the value of assistance or benefits improperly paid to
that individual, but only if the improper payment was based on inaccurate or
incomplete information provided by the individual.
Although the regulations are now in place to collect the overpayment of
Senior Benefits, the programming in EIS is not. Policy and Program
Development is currently working with Systems Operations to get the
programming in place to allow the collection of overpaid Senior Benefits.
Staff will be advised when this programming has been completed.
Previous Section
62
Next Section
Addendum
ADDENDUM 1
List of EIS Senior Benefits notices
L018
Senior Benefits Application Received
L101
Senior Benefits Approval
L112
Senior Benefits Approved – Second Month
L201
Senior Benefits Denied – Lack of Information
L207
Senior Benefits Denied – Over Income
L212
Senior Benefits Denied – Other Reasons
L302
Senior Benefits – Request for Information
L401
Senior Benefits Closed
L411
Senior Benefits Closed – Long Term Care
L419
Senior Benefits End – Death of Recipient
L603
Senior Benefits Suspended
L701
Senior Benefits Change
L705
Additional Senior Benefits
L706
Benefit Change – Poverty Level Increase
L802
Senior Benefits Renewal Approved
X034
Senior Benefits Review Due
X035
Senior Benefits Review Due – Second Notice
63
ALASKA
SENIOR BENEFITS PROGRAM
MANUAL
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES
DIVISION OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE
March 2014
65