An access terminal (206) configured for wireless communication with an access network (204) within a sector (1032). The access terminal (206) includes a transmitter (2608) for transmitting a reverse traffic channel to the access network (204), an antenna (2614) for receiving signals from the access network (204), a processor (2602) and memory (2604) in electronic communication with the processor (2602). Instructions stored in the memory (2604) implement a method of determining whether a current power allocation grant (1374) for a flow (1216) on the access terminal (206) has been received from the access network (204). If the current power allocation grant (1374) is still active, a current power allocation (1338a) for the flow is set equal to the current power allocation grant (1374). If the current power allocation grant (1374) has not been received, the current power allocation (1338a) for the flow is determined.