Benefit programs in Alaska (2026)
For families in Alaska we check every federal program below, then map your state's own programs and point you to the office that runs each one.
We don't put a dollar figure on most of Alaska's own programs yet. Those amounts depend on rules we haven't finished checking against official sources. What you get instead is the program, its official source, and who to call. Federal amounts are computed for every state, including yours.
Alaska families can get Medicaid help with care at home through 5 Medicaid home and community-based services waivers that pay for care in your own home instead of a nursing facility. We have not yet confirmed a dollar figure for a property-tax relief program in Alaska, so none is quoted here. Alaska also runs a federally funded LIHEAP energy-assistance program that helps pay heating bills for qualifying households. Figures checked against official sources, last on 2026-08-05.
Does Alaska Medicaid pay for care at home?
Yes. Alaska runs 5 Medicaid home & community-based services waivers, including "AK Adults with Physical and Developmental Disabilities Waiver (0262.R06.00)" and "AK Alaskans Living Independently (0261.R06.00)". These pay for care in your own home instead of a nursing facility. We have no confirmed dollar figure for what they pay. Amounts depend on an assessment, and most waivers have waiting lists. Ask Alaska Medicaid, or call 1-855-565-2017.
- AK Adults with Physical and Developmental Disabilities Waiver (0262.R06.00)
- AK Alaskans Living Independently (0261.R06.00)
- AK Children with Complex Medical Conditions Waiver (0263.R07.00)
- AK Individualized Supports Waiver (1566.R01.00)
- AK People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Waiver (0260.R07.00)
What property tax relief is available to seniors in Alaska?
Alaska has 5 property-tax relief programs that seniors may qualify for: Senior Citizen Property Tax Exemption (AS 29.45.030(e)) and Property Tax Equivalency Payment for Renters (AS 29.45.040; 3 AAC 136.010-.045). We have not confirmed their dollar amounts against the official state pages (last checked 2026-08-05), so we do not state amounts here. The official links below carry the current figures. Call your state's Aging and Disability Resource Center at 1-855-565-2017 and ask which you qualify for. They will also tell you the filing deadline, which is usually earlier than people expect.
6 programs in Alaska. Each description below is drawn from its linked source and shown in full: the tag next to each name marks its source tier (GOV/GOV PDF: the program's own official page, ANALYSIS/IND: a secondary source).
Property-tax figures last checked against official sources on 2026-08-05. See how we verify figures.
| Program | Benefit | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Senior Citizen Property Tax Exemption (AS 29.45.030(e)) GOV | Mandatory exemption of the FIRST $150,000 of assessed value of the owner-occupied primary residence from municipal property tax. Required of all taxing municipalities statewide. The $150,000 is a floor per qualifying residence (shared with the disabled-veteran path under the same statute; not additive). | Official source → |
| Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption (AS 29.45.030(e)) GOV | Mandatory exemption of the FIRST $150,000 of assessed value of the owner-occupied primary residence. Same statutory exemption as the senior exemption under AS 29.45.030(e) (not additive to it) — a veteran qualifies via a 50%+ service-connected disability rating instead of by age. Required of all taxing municipalities. NOTE: Alaska's state-mandated exemption covers seniors and disabled VETERANS only; there is no separate state exemption for non-veteran disabled persons under age 65. | Official source → |
| Hardship Exemption beyond $150,000 (AS 29.45.030, department regulations) GOV | OPTIONAL/local. A municipality may, in cases of hardship, exempt assessed value ABOVE the first $150,000 in accordance with department regulations. Per the implementing regulations, relief is granted for the portion of the applicant's property tax bill that exceeds 2% of the applicant's gross household income (only the excess over the 2%-of-income threshold is exempted). Exact administration varies by municipality — confirm with the local assessor. (Note: the 2%-of-income threshold is from state/municipal implementing regulations, not stated as a flat dollar figure.) | Official source → |
| Optional Municipal Additional Senior/Disabled Veteran Exemption above $150,000 (AS 29.45.050(i)) GOV | OPTIONAL/local, voter-approved. A municipality may exempt part or all of the assessed value that EXCEEDS the mandatory first $150,000 for the same senior/disabled-veteran/surviving-spouse population. The additional amount is set by local ordinance (no statutory cap). Example: Matanuska-Susitna Borough grants a large additional exemption on top of the $150,000 state floor; other boroughs vary. Dollar amount is county/borough-specific — verify with the local assessor. | Official source → |
| Optional Municipal Residential Exemption up to $50,000 (AS 29.45.050(a)) GOV | OPTIONAL/local, voter-approved. A municipality may exclude or partially exempt residential property up to $50,000 of assessed value per residence (statute allows annual cost-of-living adjustment). This is a general residential exemption; where adopted, an eligible senior/veteran can receive it in addition to the $150,000 senior/disabled-veteran exemption. Adoption and amount vary by municipality. | Official source → |
| Property Tax Equivalency Payment for Renters (AS 29.45.040; 3 AAC 136.010-.045) GOV | State cash payment to qualifying RENTERS equal to the property-tax-equivalent portion of rent paid. The Department computes a 'property tax equivalent percentage' at the rate of one percent (1%) per mill of the renting municipality's mill levy, applied to the renter's annual rent. Applications due January 15 annually with rent receipts. IMPORTANT CAVEAT: the payment is subject to legislative appropriation; the statute directs that if appropriations are insufficient the available funds are distributed PRO RATA among eligible residents. This program has historically been unfunded/underfunded — verify current-year funding with the Alaska Dept. of Revenue / DCRA before relying on it. | Official source → |
Senior Citizen Property Tax Exemption (AS 29.45.030(e)) GOV
- Benefit
Mandatory exemption of the FIRST $150,000 of assessed value of the owner-occupied primary residence from municipal property tax. Required of all taxing municipalities statewide. The $150,000 is a floor per qualifying residence (shared with the disabled-veteran path under the same statute; not additive).
- Official source
- Official source →
Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption (AS 29.45.030(e)) GOV
- Benefit
Mandatory exemption of the FIRST $150,000 of assessed value of the owner-occupied primary residence. Same statutory exemption as the senior exemption under AS 29.45.030(e) (not additive to it) — a veteran qualifies via a 50%+ service-connected disability rating instead of by age. Required of all taxing municipalities. NOTE: Alaska's state-mandated exemption covers seniors and disabled VETERANS only; there is no separate state exemption for non-veteran disabled persons under age 65.
- Official source
- Official source →
Hardship Exemption beyond $150,000 (AS 29.45.030, department regulations) GOV
- Benefit
OPTIONAL/local. A municipality may, in cases of hardship, exempt assessed value ABOVE the first $150,000 in accordance with department regulations. Per the implementing regulations, relief is granted for the portion of the applicant's property tax bill that exceeds 2% of the applicant's gross household income (only the excess over the 2%-of-income threshold is exempted). Exact administration varies by municipality — confirm with the local assessor. (Note: the 2%-of-income threshold is from state/municipal implementing regulations, not stated as a flat dollar figure.)
- Official source
- Official source →
Optional Municipal Additional Senior/Disabled Veteran Exemption above $150,000 (AS 29.45.050(i)) GOV
- Benefit
OPTIONAL/local, voter-approved. A municipality may exempt part or all of the assessed value that EXCEEDS the mandatory first $150,000 for the same senior/disabled-veteran/surviving-spouse population. The additional amount is set by local ordinance (no statutory cap). Example: Matanuska-Susitna Borough grants a large additional exemption on top of the $150,000 state floor; other boroughs vary. Dollar amount is county/borough-specific — verify with the local assessor.
- Official source
- Official source →
Optional Municipal Residential Exemption up to $50,000 (AS 29.45.050(a)) GOV
- Benefit
OPTIONAL/local, voter-approved. A municipality may exclude or partially exempt residential property up to $50,000 of assessed value per residence (statute allows annual cost-of-living adjustment). This is a general residential exemption; where adopted, an eligible senior/veteran can receive it in addition to the $150,000 senior/disabled-veteran exemption. Adoption and amount vary by municipality.
- Official source
- Official source →
Property Tax Equivalency Payment for Renters (AS 29.45.040; 3 AAC 136.010-.045) GOV
- Benefit
State cash payment to qualifying RENTERS equal to the property-tax-equivalent portion of rent paid. The Department computes a 'property tax equivalent percentage' at the rate of one percent (1%) per mill of the renting municipality's mill levy, applied to the renter's annual rent. Applications due January 15 annually with rent receipts. IMPORTANT CAVEAT: the payment is subject to legislative appropriation; the statute directs that if appropriations are insufficient the available funds are distributed PRO RATA among eligible residents. This program has historically been unfunded/underfunded — verify current-year funding with the Alaska Dept. of Revenue / DCRA before relying on it.
- Official source
- Official source →
How much heating bill help can I get in Alaska?
Up to $6,125 toward heating bills. That is the FY 2026 maximum Alaska's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) publishes. Most households get less. This is the ceiling, not a typical amount. A separate crisis benefit of up to $6,125 is available if your service is about to be shut off. Source: https://liheapch.acf.gov/profiles/Alaska.htm
| Program | Benefit | Published maximum | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) | Help with heating bills, plus emergency help if service is at risk. Emergency crisis help is available. | In Alaska the published heating maximum is $6,125. Crisis maximum: $6,125. | Official source → |
Retirement income tax
Social Security in Alaska: Alaska has NO state personal income tax (the state repealed its individual income tax in 1980) and no statewide sales tax. Social Security benefits are therefore not taxed at the state level. Federal income tax on Social Security may still apply.
Pensions, IRAs, and 401(k)s: No state personal income tax means Alaska does not tax any retirement income — private pensions, government/military pensions, IRA and 401(k)/403(b) distributions, and required minimum distributions are all untaxed at the state level. No state income tax return is filed and there is no state withholding. Because there is no income tax at all, there is no need for (and no) age- or income-based retirement-income exclusion. (Alaska also pays residents an annual Permanent Fund Dividend, which is federally taxable but not state-taxed.)
Official source →Federal programs: checked in Alaska too
These are computed for every family, wherever they live.
VA Aid & Attendance
An extra monthly VA payment for wartime veterans and surviving spouses who need daily help.
Medicare Savings Programs
State help that pays your Medicare premiums, and sometimes deductibles and copays.
Medicare Extra Help
Lowers what you pay for prescription drugs under Medicare Part D.
SNAP (food support)
Monthly money for groceries. Older adults often qualify for more than they expect.
Social Security & SSI
Checks whether the person may be missing Social Security or Supplemental Security Income.
Federal tax credits
Credits and deductions families miss, including medical expenses and the credit for the elderly or disabled.
Medicare before 65
Medicare eligibility for people under 65 through a disability.
Who do I call in Alaska for help with elder care?
Call your state's Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) at 1-855-565-2017. They're the free, no-wrong-door starting point for home care, respite and other long-term-care options in Alaska. If someone is unsafe, neglected or being exploited, Adult Protective Services can help at (907)-269-3666.
Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) / No Wrong Door
Free help understanding your options.
1-855-565-2017Which of these fits your family?
Being on this list doesn't mean your family qualifies. That depends on income, savings, care needs and service history. The free check works out which ones are worth your time, in about four minutes.
Not legal or medical advice. Benefits vary. Figures are estimates.