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Public Assitance

Alaska Senior Assistance Program

The Alaska Senior Assistance Program is a new needs-based benefit program available to all Alaskan seniors age 65 or older that meet certain eligibility requirements. The Alaska Senior Assistance Program offers a cash benefit of $120 per month, and will be available from September 1, 2003 through June 30, 2004, contingent upon availability of funds.

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View Frequently Asked Questions about the Alaska Senior Assistance Program

View press release introducing program

To be eligible for the program, a senior age 65 or older must meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • Individuals may have an annual income of up to $15,134, couples a combined annual income of up to $20,439. Permanent Fund Dividend income will not be counted.
  • Individuals may have assets up to $4,000, couples combined assets up to $6000.
    • Assets not counted include a home, funds set aside for burial, automobiles, real estate and other real property.
    • Only liquid assets will be counted such as cash and those assets easily converted to cash (e.g., stocks, bonds, IRAs, etc.).

For individuals, eligibility will be based solely on their own income and assets. For married couples that are living together, eligibility will be based on their combined income and assets regardless of whether one or both are 65 or older.

  • The senior must be a US citizen or legal alien, a resident of Alaska, and must intend to remain a resident of Alaska throughout the duration of the program.
  • Only those seniors living independently (outside an institution such as a nursing home, Pioneer Home, API) will be eligible.

Once they receive the benefit, recipients must report changes in residence, mailing address or the death of a spouse within 10 days.

How to Apply

Seniors who meet the eligibility criteria need apply only once by mail. The application asks for information about income and assets, and requires a signature to confirm the truthfulness of the statement given. No additional proof of income or assets will be required.

If found eligible, the individual will receive written notice, and begin receiving the benefit in September of 2003.

Applications for the Alaska Senior Assistance Program will be available in mid July at, senior centers, libraries, offices of the Division of Public Assistance and at variety of other community agencies and at http://www.hss.state.ak.us/dpa/.

For more information contact Angela Salerno at the Division of Public Assistance, 465-3200 or Angela_Salerno@health.state.ak.us.