2022 Alaska Statutes
Title 47. Welfare, Social Services, and Institutions
Chapter 27. Alaska Temporary Assistance Program
Article 2. Alaska Temporary Assistance Program.
Sec. 47.27.015. Disqualifying conditions.

(a) A family is not eligible for cash assistance under the Alaska temporary assistance program if the family includes an adult who

(1) has received cash assistance under the Alaska temporary assistance program, or a program of another state operated under a federal assistance grant program for needy families, for a total of 60 months as the caretaker or spouse of a caretaker of a dependent child or as a pregnant woman, unless the caretaker or pregnant woman is

(A) a person who the department has reasonable cause to believe is or recently has been the victim of domestic violence, as defined in AS 18.66.990, and the physical, mental, or emotional well-being of the victim would be endangered by a strict application of the time limit otherwise applicable under this subsection;

(B) determined, under regulations of the department to be physically or mentally unable to perform gainful activity;

(C) a parent who is providing care for a child who is experiencing a disability; or

(D) a family determined by the department to be exempt from this paragraph by reason of hardship; or

(2) is determined to be fleeing to avoid prosecution, custody, or confinement after conviction, in this or another jurisdiction, for a crime that is classified as a felony or a class A misdemeanor under AS 11 or the criminal laws of the jurisdiction where the criminal activity was committed.

(b) A family is not eligible for cash assistance or self-sufficiency services under this chapter for a period of 120 months beginning on the date the adult applicant for the family is convicted of having fraudulently misrepresented the applicant's residence in order to receive cash assistance or self-sufficiency services in more than one state under a program financed with federal money under any successor federal program that replaces the aid to families with dependent children program.

(c) A family is not eligible for cash assistance for the following time periods if the family's demonstrated need for cash assistance is due to a refusal of or voluntary separation from suitable employment by the adult applicant, or a custodial parent or caretaker, without good cause:

(1) one month for the first refusal or separation without good cause;

(2) six months for the second refusal or separation without good cause; and

(3) 12 months for the third and subsequent refusal or separation without good cause.

(d) A family is not eligible for cash assistance or self-sufficiency services for up to 12 months if the family's demonstrated need is due to an intentional transfer of an asset or assets at less than fair market value for the purpose of establishing eligibility for cash assistance or self-sufficiency services. A period of ineligibility shall begin on the first day of the month following the transfer of the asset or assets and shall remain in effect for a number of months equal to the fair market value of the transferred asset or assets divided by the maximum payment amount for the family as established under AS 47.27.025, or for 12 months, whichever is less.

(e) An Alaska temporary assistance program applicant or participant who is administratively disqualified for making a false statement or misrepresentation knowing it was false, or for knowingly failing to disclose a material fact, in order to obtain or increase cash assistance or self-sufficiency services under this chapter is not eligible to receive cash assistance or self-sufficiency services under this chapter for a period of

(1) six months following the first disqualification;

(2) 12 months following the second disqualification; and

(3) permanently following the third disqualification.

(f) The number of families for which an exemption is in effect under (a)(1) of this section may not exceed 25 percent of the number of families receiving cash assistance under this chapter.

(g) A person who is an alien is not eligible for cash assistance under this chapter unless the person is a qualified alien under 8 U.S.C. 1641 or an alien excepted under 8 U.S.C. 1612(b). However, a qualified alien may only be eligible for cash assistance under this chapter if the person is not precluded by the limited eligibility provision of 8 U.S.C. 1613.

(h) When determining under (a)(1) of this section whether an adult has received cash assistance for a total of 60 months, the department shall disregard the months that are required to be disregarded under 42 U.S.C. 608(a)(7)(D).

(i) A person convicted after August 22, 1996, of an offense that is classified as a felony under AS 11.71.010 - 11.71.040 or by the law of another jurisdiction that has as an element the possession, use, or distribution of a controlled substance, as defined in AS 11.71.900, is disqualified from receiving temporary assistance under this chapter or food stamps under AS 47.25 unless the person demonstrates, to the satisfaction of the department, that the person

(1) is satisfactorily serving, or has successfully completed, a period of probation or parole;

(2) is in the process of serving, or has successfully completed, mandatory participation in a drug or alcohol treatment program;

(3) has taken action toward rehabilitation, including participation in a drug or alcohol treatment program; or

(4) is successfully complying with the requirements of the person's reentry plan.