Senior & Disabilities Services

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Programs Supporting Alaska

Senior Citizens

Senior Information Office

Department of Health and Social Services, 1-800-478-6065: (helpline for federal programs including Medicare, information and referrals for state programs), www.hss.state.ak.us/dsds/seniorInfoOffice.htm


 

KEY- how the information is laid-out on this page:

Category

Program name

Where program is housed, contact information, web address (click on the web address to go to the program website);
(details and specifics on the program are in brackets below the contact information):

  • Eligibility criteria (bulleted list below outlines eligibility requirements)
__________________________________________________________________________________
 

CATEGORIES (click >GO for the category you want to go to):

Financial Assistance >GO

Housing Assistance >GO

Legal and Other Miscellaneous Assistance >GO

Medical Assistance >GO

Nutrition Assistance >GO

Transportation Assistance >GO

Work Assistance >GO

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Financial

Adult Public Assistance

Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Public Assistance, 269-6599 in Anchorage, 1-800-478-4372, or see www.hss.state.ak.us/dpa/features/org/dpado.html for numbers in other regions:

  • age 65 or older or blind or severely disabled
  • U.S. citizen and some immigrants
  • AK residents
  • assets less that $2,000. for a single person or $3,000 couple, excluding house, one vehicle, burial fund; Alaska Permanent Fund dividend is not counted
  • monthly income under $1,156 single, $1,713 couple (both people eligible)

    •  

General Relief Assistance

Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Public Assistance, 269-6599 in Anchorage, 1-800-478-4372, or see www.hss.state.ak.us/dpa/features/org/dpado.html for numbers in other regions:

  • short-term financial assistance for help in a crisis
  • U.S. citizen and some immigrants
  • AK residents
  • all other possible financial resources exhausted

    •  

Sales Tax Exemption

Many communities provide resident seniors with an exemption or a utility discount (look up the Sales Tax office under your municipality).

 

Senior Citizens' Property Tax Exemption

The state of Alaska mandates that senior citizens be allowed a $150,000 exemption. The Kenai Peninsula Borough is the only borough in the state that allows an unlimited exemption for real property owned and occupied as a permanent residence by people who are 65 and older or are disabled veterans. Voters are slated to decide whether to cap the exemption at $300,000 in October 2007.

  • age 65 and older; a surviving spouse of a 65-year-old or veteran can also claim the exemption as long as the surviving spouse is at least 60.

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Fraud or Exploitation Assistance

Better Business Bureau of Alaska

Call (907)562-0704 in Alaska, or email info@thebbb.org, access their website at http://www.thebbb.org/;
(a private, non-profit organization that keeps complaint records on companies and charities and can help resolve disputes):

  • open to all callers

Customer Protection

Department of Law, Attorney General's Office, Fair Business Practices Section, Consumer Protection Unit, (907)269-5100, http://www.law.state.ak.us;
(investigates complaints about business practices that create a pattern of unfairness or deception substantially affecting the public interest; takes legal action):

  • AK residents

Elder Fraud & Assistance

Department of Administration, Office of Public Advocacy, Elder Fraud & Assistance program, (907)334-5989, http://www.state.ak.us/admin/opa/;
(investigates claims of financial exploitation of Alaskans 60 and older):

  • 60 and older
  • AK residents

Investor Protection & Fraud Hotline

Fraud Hotline of Alaska 1-888-925-2521

 Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development, Division of Banking, Securities and Corporations, Securities Section 465-2521, FAX: (907)269-8146, http://www.decd.state.ak.us/bsc/bsc.htm;
(investigates complaints about brokers and others offering investments, and about proxy solicitations from ANCSA corporations and their shareholders) :

Housing Assistance

Public Housing

Alaska Housing Finance Corp., 338-6100, 1-800-478-AHFC (2432) outside Anchorage but in Alaska; public housing, 330-6100, http://www.ahfc.state.ak.us/rental/public_housing.cfm;
(low-income housing, some designated for seniors, people with disabilities):

  • income limits are based on number of people in the household and region of state
  • age 62 or older for senior housing
  • waitlist is ranked by need

Alaska Pioneers Homes

Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Alaska Pioneers Homes, 465-4416, direct numbers for homes online, http://www.hss.state.ak.us/dalp/;
(housing; varying amounts of care available; rates subsidized for low-income seniors):

  • age 65 and older
  • any AK resident who has been in the state for at least twelve consecutive months immediately before applying

Alaska State Veterans Home

Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Alaska Pioneers Homes, 745-4241, http://www.hss.state.ak.us/dalp/;
(the Palmer Pioneers Home is now primarily for veterans; varying amounts of care available; rates subsidized for low-income seniors):

  • age 65 and older
  • AK resident for at least twelve consecutive months before applying

General Relief for Assisted Living Care

Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Senior and Disabilities Service, Adult Protective Services www.hss.state.ak.us/dsds/aps.htm;
(short-term emergency assisted-living placement):

  • vulnerable adult
  • an application by a social worker or care coordinator

Assisted Living Licensing

Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Public Health, Assisted Living Licensing Office: 269-3640; After-Hours Complaint Hotline 563-0037 or 1-888-387-9387 outside Anchorage, www.hss.state.ak.us/dph/CL/ALL/default.htm;
(helps Alaskans stay independent longer and understand state rules for assisted living; maintains a list of licensed assisted living homes, monitors homes and investigates complaints):

  • open to all callers

Long Term Care Ombudsman

Department of Revenue, Long Term Care Ombudsman’s Office, 1-800-730-6393, http://www.akoltco.org;
(takes, investigates and resolves complaints):

  • age 60 and older

Medicaid Nursing Home Support

Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Public Assistance, 269-6599 in Anchorage, 1-800-478-4372, or see www.hss.state.ak.us/dpa/features/org/dpado.html for numbers in other regions;
(pays for nursing home care)

Eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis; basic requirements include:

  • income no greater than $1,656;
  • age 65 or older or blind or severely disabled
  • U.S. citizens and some immigrants
  • AK resident
  • assets less than $2,000 for a single person or $3,000 couple, excluding house, one vehicle, burial fund; Alaska Permanent Fund dividend is not counted

Nursing Home Transition Program

Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Senior and Disabilities Service, 269-5025, 1-800-478-9996, http://www.hss.state.ak.us/dsds/nursingfacilitytransition.htm;
(helps seniors and disabled citizens return to independent or family living through one-time assistance such as home modifications or short-term personal care assistance):

Legal & Other Miscellaneous Assistance

Adult Protective Services

Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Senior and Disabilities Services, 1-907-269-3666 or 1-800-478-9996;
(Voluntary help to keep adults independent and safe):

  • any vulnerable adult, age 18 and older; no income criteria

Alaska Legal Services

Alaska Legal Services Corp. (ALSC) is a private, nonprofit, 272-9431, anchorage3@alsc-law.org;
(provides legal assistance and representation to low-income Alaskans in non-criminal matters; also operates the Seniors' Legal Services Project, a legal assistance program for older persons):

  • age 60 and over for the Seniors Legal Services Project

Alaska Ombudsman's Office

Call or write for a complaint form, or download one from the office’s Web site.
Anchorage, 269-5290, FAX (907) 269-5291, 1-800-478-2624 (TTY); Juneau, 465-4970, FAX (907) 465-3330, 1-800-478-4970; both: for contact via email ombschl@state.ak.us, or go to their website, http://www.state.ak.us/ombud/home.htm;
(offices in Anchorage and Juneau help people across the state with questions and complaints about state government agencies and the University of Alaska):

  • AK resident

Alaska State Human Rights Commission

274-4692, 1-800- 478-4692, TTY/TDD 276-3177 or 1-800-478-3177, http://www.gov.state.ak.us/aschr/;
(enforces Alaska law which prohibits discrimination in employment, credit, and financing practices, the sale or rental of real property, public accommodations, and practices by the state or its political subdivisions because of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, physical or mental disability, and in some instances because of age, marital status, changes in marital status, pregnancy and parenthood. Commission staff members investigate discrimination complaints and can help resolve disputes):

  • AK resident

Guardianships and conservatorships

Department of Administration, Office of Public Advocacy, Public Guardian and Family Guardian programs, 269-3500, 1-877-957-3500, for contact via email family_guardian@admin.state.ak.us, or go to their website, http://state.ak.us/guardianship/;
(managers for seniors’ and vulnerable adults’ legal and/or financial affairs, information on guardianship and conservatorship):

  • AK resident
  • court appoints guardians
  • age 18 or older
  • no other alternative
  • income-based sliding fee

Heating Assistance Program

Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Public Assistance, Heating Assistance Program, 465-3058, 1-800-470-3058, http://www.hss.state.ak.us/dpa/heat;
(seasonal help for low-income households):

  • gross income at or below $1,596 (single), $2,140 (couple)

Long Term Care Ombudsman

State Department of Revenue, Long Term Care Ombudsman’s Office,1-800-730-6393:
(takes, investigates, and resolves complaints about long-term care):

  • age 60 and older

Medicaid- Home & Community-based Waiver services

Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Public Assistance, 269-6599 in Anchorage, 1-800-478-4372, or see http://www.hss.state.ak.us/dpa/features/org/dpado.html for numbers in other regions;
(a Medicaid program to help people who need a nursing-home level of care remain in their homes):

  • eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis.
    Basic requirements include:
  • an assessment by a state nurse and referral from a care coordinator
  • income no greater than $1,656;
  • age 65 or older or blind or severely disabled
  • U.S. citizens and some immigrants
  • AK resident
  • assets less than $2,000 for a single person or $3,000 couple, excluding house, one vehicle, burial fund; Alaska Permanent Fund dividend is not counted 

Motor Vehicle Registration and Tax exemption

(once every two years, register one noncommercial motor vehicle without paying the motor vehicle registration fee and motor vehicle tax):

  • age 65 and older
  • AK resident

Personal Care Assistant program  

Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Senior and Disabilities Services, 269-3666, 1-800-478-9996, http://www.hss.state.ak.us/dsds/pca;
(a Medicaid program to help people stay healthy and independent):

  • same as Adult Public Assistance (see first item) plus an assessment by a state nurse
  • referral from a PCA provider (see list on Web site)

Telephone assistance

Lifeline and Link-up programs, Alaska Communications Systems, 1- 800-808-8083:
(offers low-income residential customers a break on installation and monthly charges)
- annual income under $17,240 (single) $23,112 (couple) or receipt of any of a number of social service programs, including Pioneer Home Payment Assistance.


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Medical Assistance

Medicaid

Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Public Assistance, 269-6599 in Anchorage, 1-800-478-4372, or see www.hss.state.ak.us/dpa/features/org/dpado.html for numbers in other regions, see main website at http://www.cms.hhs.gov:
(helps people who can’t afford medical care get healthy and stay healthy)

  • age 65 or older or blind or severely disabled
  • U.S. citizens and some immigrants
  • AK resident
  • assets less than $2,000 for a single person or $3,000 couple, excluding house, one vehicle, burial fund
  • monthly income under $1,156 single, $1,713 couple (both eligible)
  • some services require additional individual eligibility assessments

Medicare

For information on the program, call the Senior Information Office, in the Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Senior and Disabilities Services, 1-800-478-6065, http://www.medicare.gov;
(federal health insurance program for seniors administered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services):

  • age 65 or older, some younger disabled people, and people with permanent kidney failure treated with dialysis or a transplant
  • U.S. citizen or eligible immigrant

Medicare Premium Assistance

Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Public Assistance, 269-6599 in Anchorage, 1-800-478-4372, or see www.hss.state.ak.us/dpa/features/org/dpado.html for numbers in other regions;
(pays Medicare Part A and B premiums):

  • age 65 or older or blind or severely disabled
  • eligible for Medicare

Prescription drug resource

A prescription drug resource list is available on the Division of Public Assistance site, http://www.hss.state.ak.us/dpa/programs/medicaid/PrescriptionDrugList.pdf;
(ways to help seniors get their prescriptions filled):

Nutrition Assistance

Food Stamp Program

Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Public Assistance, 269-6599 in Anchorage, 1-800-478-4372, or see www.hss.state.ak.us/dpa/features/org/dpado.html for numbers in other regions:

  • $3,000 or less in assets (single or couple)
  • net income of $1,021 single, $1,357 couple, or less

Hunting and fishing license exemption

Department of Fish and Game, Division of Administrative Services, 1-907-465-2376;
(free senior license for sport fishing, hunting and trapping):

  • age 60 and older
  • AK resident for at least a year (12 consecutive months)

Meals

Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Senior and Disabilities Services gives grants to community organizations for group meals and meal deliveries. Call your local senior center for specifics. In Anchorage, call Older Alaskans Program, 1-907-349-0613;
(group meals and home-delivered meals):

  • age 60 and older; others may be eligible, including younger spouses of an eligible senior
  • no income criteria

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Transportation Assistance

Alaska Marine Highway System discount

Department of Transportation & Public Facilities, Alaska Marine Highway System, Juneau central reservations office: 1-800-642-0066, http://www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/index.html;
(half-off summer passenger fares for certain routes and vessels within the state; more vessels during winter season):

Work Assistance

Vocational rehabilitation employment assistance

Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, 1-907-465-2814 or toll-free 1-800-478-2815, www.labor.state.ak.us/dvr/disable.htm;
(helps people who have a problem working, or are underemployed):

  • have trouble getting or keeping a job due to a mental or physical problem
  • AK resident

Alaska Job Center Network

Department of Labor and Workforce Development, http://www.jobs.state.ak.us;
(Web site of job listings and resources for job seekers):

Senior Information Office
3601 C Street, Suite 310
Anchorage, Alaska 99503-5984
Phone: (907) 269-3680
1-800-478-6065 (statewide)
Fax: (907) 269-4973