Alaska Disability Benefits: How to Get Monthly Payments

Important: We updated this article in June 2024 after reviewing current Social Security Administration and Alaska’s Adult Public Assistance program policies. Alaska is home to the most glaciers in the United States, and boasts more than 34,000 miles of coastline. That’s more than the rest of the U.S. combined! It’s also the only place in America with no individual income or state sales taxes. But with such vast wilderness and just one person per square mile, Alaska residents with disabilities might need cash benefits to survive. If you’re interested in Alaska disability benefits, it’s crucial to find out if you pre-qualify before you apply.

One program provides Alaska disability benefits at the state level: Adult Public Assistance (APA). Two other federal programs offer monthly payments through the Social Security Administration (SSA) to those who qualify:

1. Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
2. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

Checking your medical eligibility is easy for these 3 programs because they all define disability the same way. However, the SSDI and SSI programs have very different technical requirements for awarding benefits.

We developed this Alaska disability benefits guide to help you understand which particular payments may be right for you.

How to Get Alaska Disability Benefits from the Division of Public Assistance (DPA)

In order to qualify for Alaska’s APA benefits, one of the following must describe you on the date you file your application:

• Blind or disabled and at least 18 years old
• 65 years old or older

APA has a slightly higher monthly income limit than the SSI program. We recommend you apply for APA payments first, if possible. If approved, you’ll automatically qualify for Medicaid healthcare coverage as well without having to file a separate application. That way, you’ll have some money to live on while you wait for the other programs to review your disability claim.

Apply online for things like SNAP, APA payments, and other public assistance benefits through Alaska’s Department of Health website.

What to Know About Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Disability Benefits in Alaska

SSI benefits help people who are blind, disabled, or at least 65 with limited income and financial resources. Here’s what Alaskans need to know. In addition, those who qualify for SSI benefits may also get public assistance payments in Alaska.

1. How Can I Get SSI Benefits if I’m Not Disabled?

You’re eligible if you’re 65 or older and have very limited income and few or no financial resources.

2. How Does the SSI Program Determine if I’m Blind or Disabled?

An Alaska Disability Determination Services (DDS) exam must confirm you are unable to work, specifically due to a medical impairment. If you’re at least 65 years old, then you can skip an Alaska DDS exam based on your age.

3. What Are the Technical Eligibility Rules for SSI Benefits?

Alaskans seeking SSI benefits must have very little or no income and assets. Here’s how Disability Determination Services defines those limits:

• Monthly income that equals less than $2,590 if you’re blind and $1,550 if you have a different form of disability. Child support, alimony, APA, SNAP, TANF, and other types of public assistance all count as monthly income for SSI.
• Total owned financial assets must be worth less than $2,000 per individual. Couples must have less than $3,000 combined to qualify for SSI. This includes money in bank accounts as well as items you can sell in exchange for cash. Items you need for daily living won’t count toward that limit, including one vehicle, your wedding ring, a home you own, furniture, etc.

4. How Much Does SSI Pay in Alaska Disability Benefits?

Approved individuals can get as much as $943; couples can get up to $1,415. These monthly amounts may go up in years with approved COLA increases.

5. How Long Can I Get Monthly SSI Payments?

You must pass a disability update once every 3-7 years if you’re under 65 years old or automatically lose your SSI. People over 65 can keep getting SSI benefits as long as they meet the program’s financial eligibility requirements.

6. Does SSI Offer Health Insurance?

Much like the APA program, SSI approval automatically guarantees access to Medicaid. Your coverage begins the same month that your SSI payments start, if you don’t have health insurance already. However, depending on whether you also get APA payments, the SSA may deduct your Medicaid premiums from your SSI.

What to Know About Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Benefits in Alaska

Social Security taxes taken out of most workers’ job earnings fund the federal SSDI program as well as Medicare. Here’s what people in the Last Frontier need to know in order to qualify for SSDI benefits.

1. Who Should Apply for SSDI Benefits?

Alaskans from Utqiaġvik to Adak can apply for SSDI benefits if they answer “yes” to all these questions:

• Did you see a doctor regularly to treat your health condition within the past year? If not, you may need a DDS exam to confirm your disability through medical evidence. Did you know an Alaska disability lawyer can pay for doctor visits and medical records if you can’t afford them?

• Does your doctor expect your health to stop you from working for at least 12 months? You aren’t eligible for Social Security disability benefits if you can go back to work in less than one year.
• Did you work for at least 5 of the last 10 years while paying Social Security payroll taxes? SSDI applicants need 40 work credits before they apply.
• Are you at least 18, but not currently receiving any other Social Security benefits? If you already draw early or regular retirement payments each month, then the SSA office will automatically reject your SSDI application.

2. How Much Does SSDI Pay in Alaska Disability Benefits?

Here’s how Social Security calculates your SSDI pay amount:

• The SSA determines your average monthly paycheck over 35 years of previous work history.
• They set your payment at approximately 40% of that amount, adjusted for current inflation.

The national average payment for most people each month is $1,537 in 2024. (The most you can earn is $3,822 each month.) Payments may increase each year based on COLA adjustments, if Congress approves them.

3. How Long Does It Take to Get Your First SSDI Payment?

Most applicants wait at least 5 months for an answer back about their SSDI claim. That means the soonest you might get your first SSDI payment is 6 months from your initial filing date. However, the approval rate for initial applications is just 20%.

If the DDS office denies your first application, you have 60 days left to appeal. The first step to appeal is called reconsideration. If that appeal fails, you can still request a hearing and plead your case before an administrative law judge. SSA data shows that 8% of claimants who appeal do win at some stage in the process. If you win Alaska disability benefits on appeal, you may wait 2-3 years to receive your first SSDI payment.

That’s why it’s important to get your application approved the first time. An Alaska disability lawyer can likely reduce your wait time and triple your approval odds within 6 months.

4. If Approved, How Long Can I Receive Monthly SSDI Payments?

You can receive benefits until you’re 67 years old, as long as you pass Continuing Disability Reviews (CDRs) every 3-7 years.

After that, you move to Social Security retirement benefits at the same monthly payment amount. You do not need to do anything to make this switch happen; it is automatic.

5. What About Health Insurance Coverage Through the SSDI Program?

You will get it eventually, it just takes time. Two years (24 months) from your first SSDI payment date, you become automatically eligible for Medicare. Much like Medicaid and SSI, the SSA will deduct your Medicare premium from your monthly SSDI benefit payment.

How to Apply for Social Security Disability Benefits in Alaska

When you’re ready to apply for disability benefits, you have a few options.

Option 1: In Person

You can file claims for SSDI and SSI in person at one of 3 Social Security field offices in Alaska:

• Anchorage, AK and Fairbanks office locations, which are both open 9am-4pm Monday to Friday.
• Juneau office, which is open 11:30am to 4pm Monday through Friday.

No matter which SSA office you choose, plan to spend at least 4-5 hours filling out your initial application. You can shorten your wait time by calling ahead and making an appointment at the local office nearest you.

Option 2: Apply Online

You can file your SSDI application online via the Social Security Administration website.

Unfortunately, you cannot file your initial application for the SSI program’s Alaska disability benefits online at this time.

Option 3: File by Phone

SSA employees can help you file initial applications for both SSDI and SSI over the phone. To get started, call 1-800-772-1213 toll free Monday through Friday, 8am to 7pm EST.

Hearing-impaired or deaf Alaska residents can call TTY 1-800-325-0778 to apply for disability directly with the Social Security Administration.

Option 4: Triple Your Odds of Alaska Disability Benefits Approval by Working with a Licensed Attorney

A recent Government Accountability Office study found that disability applications filed through attorneys were 2.9x more likely to succeed within 6 months.

How to Get Free Expert Help Qualifying for Alaska Disability Benefits

Not sure where to find an experienced Social Security attorney to help you file your disability application? We can connect you with one today, free of charge.

Don’t forget: A lawyer who understands federal and state disability law charges $0 if you aren’t successful. And if you succeed, then you only pay one small fee out of your backpay.

Want to know if you qualify for Alaska disability benefits before you start the application process? Then click the button below to start your free online benefits quiz now:

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