Alaska Public Assistance Programs

Alaska Public Assistance Programs Anchorage.  Whether you live in Anchorage, Juneau, Fairbanks, or College, if you are a resident of Alaska and have lost your job or are working but struggling financially? The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services has many programs that can help you with mandatory bills, like rent, utilities, childcare, and maintaining the stability of your household.

Alaska Public Assistance Programs

Adult Public Assistance (APA)

Senior Benefits Information Office
Seniors are one of the most vulnerable members of society.  Many seniors live solely on a small Social Security benefits check that does not meet all their needs.  If you are disabled and unable to work, your SSI check is often not enough to live.   Alaska Public Assistance provides financial assistance to disadvantaged, disabled, and elderly adults. They also help those receiving SSI to help them remain independent.

Who is Eligible for Assistance

To apply for help, you must first apply for any other assistance you may qualify for, such as SSI, Workers’ Compensation, Unemployment Insurance,  pension and compensation benefits, Department of Veterans Affairs, and other disability benefits.  Also, you must:

• Be a resident of Alaska
• You may have US Citizenship or Eligible Immigrant Status
• If not disabled or blind, you must be over 65
• If you are blind or disabled, you must be at least 18

Contact Information – E-mail: dpapolicy@alaska.gov or Phone: (907) 465-3347

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) 

A yearly subsidy funds home heating assistance grants to the Dept of Health and Human Services.  This funding is distributed among all states, territories, and tribal governments through the US Department of Health and Human Services.  At his discretion, the President receives additional funds each year to use for LIHEAP.  Each state that wishes to receive this grant must apply for a block grant.  The Home Weatherization program helps families make energy-saving home repairs in conjunction with heating assistance.

Family Nutrition Programs

If you have a family and have lost your job or your hours have been cut, you may not know how to feed your family.  You may be eligible to receive assistance from one of the state’s nutrition programs. The Alaskan Family Nutrition Program gives low-income residents the resources to prepare nutritional meals for the family.  They offer education on nutrition, the benefits of breastfeeding, and food assistance benefits.

Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program (FMNP)

This program works with the WIC program to ensure pregnant women and children can purchase fresh fruit, vegetables, and herbs from local farmers’ markets. This product can be bought with FMNP coupons provided by the state.

Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)

This program is similar to WIC’s. It provides nutritional assistance to low-income adults who are 60 years old and older.  more information 

Senior Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)

Seniors receiving Commodity Supplemental Food assistance receive vouchers to purchase fresh fruit, vegetables, and herbs from local farmers’ markets. Seniors can buy fresh produce with FMNP coupons FMNP provided by the state. More info.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed)

SNAP-Ed educates families and individuals receiving SNAP, WIC, etc., how to prepare balanced and nutritional meals, shop to get more for their money through sales, comparative shopping, and the benefits of incorporating exercise into daily living.

Alaska Public Assistance Programs for Children

Women Infants and Children Program (WIC)

This program assists at-risk pregnant women and their children by providing food assistance throughout the pregnancy until the child is five years old.    The WIC benefits program provides food vouchers that can be used at any store where WIC is accepted.  These nutrition benefits are a great help to low-income, at-risk families.  And the vouchers can be used anywhere the coupons are accepted.  In addition to food and infant formula, the program provides breastfeeding support and help to postpartum women.  See eligibility guidelines.

Child Care Program Office (CCPO)

The Child Care Program Office (CCPO) oversees and regulates childcare facilities to ensure parents receive safe, quality child care for infants, school-age child care, and children with special needs.   You may be eligible to receive a free childcare grant that pays for all or part of your childcare.  (request assistance)

Denali KidCare – Children’s Health Insurance Program – (CHIP)

CHIP is a healthcare program for disadvantaged children.  The United States Department of Health and Human Services runs CHIP.  Each state receives matching funds for health insurance for families with children.  CHIP also provides health care to children whose parents make too much to be eligible for Medicare.  You may qualify for benefits if your gross family income is $16,643 a year for a single parent or $28,180 for a household of three.

In Conclusion