Senior Assistance Programs

Provides assistance to needy aged, blind, & disabled Alaskans to help them remain independent. This program gives cash to SSI recipients & others who have income and resources within APA income & resource limits.

  • Must be 65 or older if not disabled/blind - must be 18 or older if disabled/blind

  • U.S. citizen or qualified immigrant

  • Alaskan Citizen

  • Resources may not exceed $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple

  • A person must apply to and pursue any other benefits that they are eligible for. I.E. federal SSI benefits, social security insurance, unemployment, department of veterans affairs pension and compensation benefits, workers’ comp, etc.

(2018). Adult Public Assistance (APA). Retrieved January 02, 2019, from http://dhss.alaska.gov/dpa/Pages/apa/default.aspx

Voucher program open to Alaskan Seniors over 65 who have low to moderate income (Solely based upon income, does NOT taking savings into consideration.) Applicants can receive up to $250/month.

To be eligible you must:

  • Be a U.S. Citizen or qualified immigrant

  • Age 65 or older and have a social security number or show that one has been applied for

  • Live in Alaska voluntarily and intend to make Alaska your home

  • Have countable income that does not exceed the income limits for Senior Benefits

Click here to access the Senior Benefits Program page.

(2018). Senior Benefits. Retrieved January 2, 2019, from http://dhss.alaska.gov/dpa/Pages/seniorbenefits/default.aspx

Please check with Senior Access Program to see if they have funding available. Click HERE to reach their webiste.

Funds to help senior citizens (those over 55) make accessibility modifications to their homes, extending their ability to live independently in the community.

  • Must show documented need by medical professional, caseworker or caregiver who is familiar with the individual’s needs

  • Must be able to prove ownership or provide a lease agreement from landlord

  • Household income cannot exceed 100% of area median adjusted for household size

  • The property must be the current principal residence of the eligible senior.

  • Must be used to make accessibility modifications to their homes - wheelchair ramps, grab bars, roll-in showers etc.

Income Limits for Alaska

(2018). Senior Access Program (SAP). Retrieved January 2, 2019, from https://www.ahfc.us/homelessness/assistance-grants/senior-access-program-sap

Provides Rental Assistance and supportive services to Native American & Alaska Native Veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness living on or near a reservation or other Indian areas.

HUD-VASH Reference Guide - Requirements

(2018). HUD-VASH Vouchers. Retrieved January 2, 2019, from https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/public_indian_housing/programs/hcv/vash

This is a collaborative program between HUD and VA, which combines housing vouchers with VA supportive services to help homeless Veterans and their families find & sustain permanent housing.

  • The VA determines clinical eligibility while the public housing authority determines if the Veteran participant meets the HUD regulations for the program. Click here for a detailed description of the eligibility criteria.

  • Given to those who demonstrate the most need or vulnerability and must need case management services in order to obtain and sustain independent community housing.

Click here to learn about other VA Programs for Homeless Veterans

(2018, May 21). U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) Program. Retrieved January 2, 2019, from https://www.va.gov/homeless/hud-vash.asp

Food Stamps

  • There are no specific age limits to receive SNAP benefits

    • Able bodied people between 16-59 must register for work, participate in the employment and training program if offered, accept offers of employment, and cannot quit a job

  • Alaska has special rules that allow for higher Food Stamp benefits in rural areas, and the use of benefits to purchase certain hunting and fishing subsistence supplies.

  • Resource Limit:

    • $2,250 for most households and $3500 for households containing a member who is disabled or 60+

    • Many assets are not counted such as your home, household goods, burial plots, cash value of life insurance, money in a retirement savings account, pension plan, etc.

    • Countable assets include money in checking or savings accounts, certificates of deposit, US savings bond, stocks, property not up for sale etc.

Alaska SNAP Program Standards Income Limits & Standard Deductions

Click here to access the Food Stamp Application.

(2018). Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Stamps). Retrieved January 2, 2019, from http://dhss.alaska.gov/dpa/Pages/fstamps/default.aspx

LIHEAP assists families with low incomes, particularly those with the lowest incomes that pay a high proportion of household income for home energy, primarily in meeting their immediate home energy needs.

  • Grantees must target benefits to households with low incomes

    • No more than the greatest of 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG) or 60% of the State median income

    • No less than 110% of the FPG

  • Can provide home heating, weatherization, and/or low-cost home repairs and replacements

  • Must target households with elderly, disabled, and/or young children as members and those with the greatest home energy need in relation to household income and number of household members

LIHEAP Fact Sheet

LIHEAP FAQs

(2017, March 29). About LIHEAP. Retrieved January 2, 2019, from https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ocs/programs/liheap/about

Heating Assistance helps households pay a portion of home heating expenses. Households must have at least $200 in out-of-pocket heating costs and provide receipts for those costs before applying for the program.

  • Income at or below 150% of the FPG, who have a minimum of $200 in out-of-pocket heating costs per year (MUST be able to provide receipts for those costs before applying.)

  • It can take up to 45 days to process your application. Continue to pay your bills while waiting for a decision on your application. If your bills are overdue, contact your utility company and try to set up a deferred payment agreement - let them know you have applied for heating assistance.

  • Applications are accepted from October 1st-April 30th each year.

  • Eligibility is solely based on income. Benefits are calculated using a point system based on the area of the state you live in, heat type, dwelling type, household size, and income. Each item has a point value. If you have low heating cost points after all factors are calculated, you may not qualify.

*You CANNOT receive heating assistance from the state if you are eligible for assistance from a tribal organization.

Click here for a direct link to the application.

Heating Assistance Program. Retrieved 3.19.2022, from http://dhss.alaska.gov/dpa/Pages/hap/default.aspx

SRHUD helps to pay a utility deposit when households are moving into Section 8 or subsidized rental housing, provided that heat is included in rent.

Applications are accepted throughout the year and is the same application as the Heating Assistance Program (HAP). Click here for a direct link to the application.

Heating Assistance Program. Retrieved 3.19.2022, from http://dhss.alaska.gov/dpa/Pages/hap/default.aspx

subsidized rental housing utility deposit (srhud)