Free, plain-English help for seniors and families in Alaska. Education, not advice. Verify before you rely on it.
Start here (works anywhere in Alaska)
- 211 (dial 2-1-1), Eldercare Locator 1-800-677-1116, BenefitsCheckUp.org, Medicare 1-800-633-4227, Social Security 1-800-772-1213, VA 1-800-827-1000, Alzheimer's 24/7 Helpline 1-800-272-3900, National Elder Fraud Hotline 1-833-372-8311, Crisis Lifeline 988
Free Medicare counseling (Alaska SHIP)
Alaska's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is delivered through the Medicare Information Office, part of the Alaska Department of Health, Division of Senior and Disabilities Services. It provides free, unbiased one-on-one Medicare counseling and classes for Medicare beneficiaries and their families: enrollment and eligibility, Part D drug-plan comparisons, Medigap (supplemental) insurance, Medicare Advantage, help applying for cost-saving programs, and how to spot and report Medicare fraud.
Medicare Information Office statewide: 1-800-478-6065 (Anchorage 907-269-3680) TDD toll free: 1-800-770-8973 Medicare Information Office: health.alaska.gov/en/senior-and-disabilities-services/medicare-office/
Medicaid in Alaska
Alaska Medicaid is administered by the Department of Health, with applications handled through the Division of Public Assistance. For seniors it covers long-term nursing-facility care and home and community-based care through the Alaskans Living Independently (ALI) Waiver, which helps older adults and people with physical disabilities receive care at home instead of in a facility. The ADRC First prescreen, done through an Aging and Disability Resource Center, is the first step in the Medicaid Waiver application process. Because waiver slots are limited, apply early.
How to apply: apply through the Division of Public Assistance (online, by mail, by fax, or in person at a Public Assistance office), and start the waiver path by contacting an Aging and Disability Resource Center at 1-877-625-2372. Be ready with Social Security and Medicare cards, income and bank records (long-term-care reviews can look back several years), property deeds, and insurance policies.
Alaska Division of Senior and Disabilities Services: health.alaska.gov/en/senior-and-disabilities-services/
Prescription help
Alaska does not operate a broad State Pharmaceutical Assistance Program (SPAP) for all seniors separate from Medicaid. Options available:
Medicare Extra Help (Low Income Subsidy): a federal program that substantially lowers Part D prescription drug costs for qualifying low-income Medicare beneficiaries. Apply through Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or ssa.gov. BenefitsCheckUp.org: screens for pharmaceutical manufacturer patient assistance programs and other savings. Medicare Information Office counselors (1-800-478-6065) can help you check Extra Help and Medicare Savings Program eligibility at no charge.
Energy and utility help
Alaska's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is the Heating Assistance Program (HAP), administered by the Department of Health, Division of Public Assistance. It helps low-income households pay home heating costs, with emergency or "no-heat" cases handled first.
Application window: the state Heating Assistance Program accepts applications October 1 through April 30 each year, and April 30 is the last day to apply for non-crisis heating assistance (crisis or "no-heat" cases may be accepted later in the season). Apply as early in the season as you can. Some tribal and regional LIHEAP administrators run their own earlier windows in their service areas, so ask your local provider. How to apply: submit your application in person at a Public Assistance office, or by mail, fax, or email. For an application or information, call the Heating Assistance Program at 1-800-470-3058 (option 5) or 907-465-3058.
Alaska Heating Assistance Program (HAP): health.alaska.gov/en/services/division-of-public-assistance-dpa-services/heating-assistance/
Property tax relief (Alaska)
Alaska law provides a senior property tax exemption through your local municipality or borough assessor:
Alaska Senior Citizen and Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption (AS 29.45.030(e)): a mandatory statewide exemption on the first $150,000 of assessed value of the primary residence of a resident who is 65 or older, or a disabled veteran with a 50 percent or greater service-connected disability. All municipalities are required to grant it. To qualify, you must be 65 or older, an Alaska resident, own and occupy the home as your primary residence, and be the owner of record as of January 1 of the year you seek the exemption. The application and deadline are set locally, so apply through your municipal or borough assessor's office. Some municipalities offer additional local exemptions on top of the state minimum.
Alaska Office of the State Assessor, Alaska Tax Facts: commerce.alaska.gov/web/dcra/officeofthestateassessor/alaskataxfacts.aspx
Food, in-home help, caregiver, transportation, and legal help
Alaska's aging services are coordinated by the Department of Health, Division of Senior and Disabilities Services, and reached through the Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRC).
Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRC): 1-877-625-2372 (1-877-6AK-ADRC) Find services through the Eldercare Locator: 1-800-677-1116
Services available through the network:
- Congregate meals at senior centers and home-delivered meals (Meals on Wheels)
- In-home care, personal care, and homemaker services
- Family caregiver support (National Family Caregiver Support Program)
- Transportation assistance
- Long-term care ombudsman services for residents of care facilities, through the Office of the State Long Term Care Ombudsman
Legal aid: free civil legal help for older Alaskans is available through Alaska Legal Services Corporation. You can also reach legal help through an ADRC at 1-877-625-2372 or the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116.
Frequently asked questions
What is Alaska's SHIP program? Alaska's SHIP is delivered through the Medicare Information Office in the Division of Senior and Disabilities Services. Trained counselors give free, unbiased Medicare help statewide, covering enrollment, drug-plan comparisons, Medigap, cost-savings programs, and fraud reporting. Reach it at 1-800-478-6065.
Does Alaska offer property tax relief for seniors? Yes. Alaska law (AS 29.45.030(e)) requires every municipality to exempt the first $150,000 of assessed value on the primary residence of a resident 65 or older (or a qualifying disabled veteran). You must own and occupy the home, be an Alaska resident, and be the owner of record as of January 1. Apply through your municipal or borough assessor, since the application form and deadline are set locally.
How do Alaska seniors get help with heating bills? Through the Heating Assistance Program (Alaska's LIHEAP), run by the Division of Public Assistance. The state program accepts applications October 1 through April 30, with emergency "no-heat" cases handled first. Apply in person at a Public Assistance office or by mail, fax, or email, and call 1-800-470-3058 (option 5) for an application.
How does an Alaska senior apply for Medicaid? Apply through the Division of Public Assistance (online, by mail, fax, or in person). To pursue home-based care through the Alaskans Living Independently Waiver, start with an ADRC First prescreen by calling an Aging and Disability Resource Center at 1-877-625-2372. Waiver slots are limited, so apply early.
Sources
- Alaska Department of Health, Medicare Information Office: https://health.alaska.gov/en/senior-and-disabilities-services/medicare-office/ (Verified June 14, 2026)
- SHIP National directory, Alaska: https://www.shiphelp.org/ships/alaska/ (Verified June 14, 2026)
- Alaska Department of Health, Division of Senior and Disabilities Services: https://health.alaska.gov/en/senior-and-disabilities-services/ (Verified June 14, 2026)
- Alaska Department of Health, Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP): https://health.alaska.gov/en/services/division-of-public-assistance-dpa-services/heating-assistance/ (Verified June 14, 2026)
- Alaska Office of the State Assessor, Alaska Tax Facts: https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/dcra/officeofthestateassessor/alaskataxfacts.aspx (Verified June 14, 2026)
- Alaska DCRA, Property Tax Exemptions in Alaska: https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/dcra/LocalGovernmentResourceDesk/TaxationAssessment/PropertyTaxExemptionsinAlaska.aspx (Verified June 14, 2026)
Ryan Riggins, NC Real Estate License #361546, eXp Realty. Riggins Strategic Solutions is an education and media company, not a real estate sales business. This is not financial, tax, medical, or legal advice. Income limits, rates, and deadlines change annually, confirm with the program or a licensed professional before acting.