Social Security disability
Disability benefits in Alaska
Social Security rules are the same in every state. This page covers what is different in Alaska: who decides your claim, state money added to SSI, Medicaid, hearings and free help.
You have 60 days to appeal each decision, plus 5 days for mail.
Who decides your claim in Alaska?
Alaska Disability Determination Services (DDS)
This state office decides the medical part of your Social Security disability claim (SSDI and SSI). Social Security checks the other rules, like work credits and income. The office also does continuing disability reviews and face-to-face hearings when benefits are stopped after a review.
- Part of
- Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
- Phone
- 1-855-953-9680
- Alaska Disability Determination Services, 619 East Ship Creek #305, Anchorage, AK 99501
Offices
- Alaska DDS (only office) (Anchorage) · 1-855-953-9680
The Alaska DDS page lists three Social Security offices: Anchorage (222 W 8th Ave, Rm A11), Fairbanks (101 12th Ave, Rm 138) and Juneau (709 W 9th, Rm 231). Find a Social Security office
Does Alaska add money to SSI?
Adult Public Assistance (APA)
Alaska's Adult Public Assistance gives monthly cash to Alaskans with low income who are 65 or older, or 18 or older and blind or disabled. You must apply for other benefits you may get, like SSI. Your countable resources must be $2,000 or less ($3,000 for a couple). The payment is the difference between the state's payment standard for your living situation and your income, including SSI. Each year the state raises its payment standards by the same dollar amount that SSI goes up.
Paid by: the state
| Who | State part | Standard of need | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|
| Living on your own, one person (APA and SSI together, most you can get) | – | $1,356 | January 1, 2026 |
| Living on your own, couple, both eligible (APA and SSI together) | – | $2,019 | January 1, 2026 |
| Living in another person's household, one person (APA and SSI together) | – | $1,031 | January 1, 2026 |
| Living in an assisted living home, one person (APA and SSI together) | – | $1,094 | January 1, 2026 |
| Living in an assisted living home and getting SSI: extra money for personal needs | $100 | – | – |
| In a nursing home or hospital for a full month: APA adds enough to bring your personal needs money to $75 a month | – | ||
- How to apply
- Apply to the state Division of Public Assistance, not to Social Security. You can apply online in the Alaska Connect portal or call the Division of Public Assistance.
- Contact
- Alaska Department of Health, Division of Public Assistance
1-800-478-7778 (TDD/Alaska Relay 7-1-1)
https://health.alaska.gov/en/services/adult-public-assistance-apa/
Medicaid in Alaska
In Alaska, getting SSI does not sign you up for Medicaid by itself. Alaska uses SSI rules but makes its own Medicaid decision, so you must apply to the state. You can apply online at Alaska Connect or call the Division of Public Assistance.
- Program
- Alaska Medicaid (Denali KidCare for children)
- Medicaid agency
- Alaska Department of Health, Division of Public Assistance
https://health.alaska.gov/en/services/division-of-public-assistance-dpa-services/apply-for-medicaid/
1-800-478-7778 (TDD/Alaska Relay 7-1-1)
State disability and paid leave in Alaska
Alaska has no state-run short-term disability or paid medical leave program listed here.
Hearing offices and federal court in Alaska
1 hearing office serves Alaska. Hearing office locator (Social Security)
Anchorage, AK Satellite Office
Satellite office
- Address
- Suite 610, 188 W Northern Lights Boulevard, Anchorage, AK 99503
- Phone
- (855) 602-5004
- Fax
- (833) 953-2037
Federal district court
If you appeal to federal court, you file in the district court that covers your county.
U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska
Court help for people without a lawyer
Counties covered (1)
- All of Alaska (the whole state is one district; Alaska has boroughs, not counties)
Free help in Alaska
Protection & Advocacy agency (P&A)
Disability Law Center of Alaska
- Phone
- 907-565-1002 (toll-free 800-478-1234)
- Website
- https://www.dlcak.org/
Legal aid
- Alaska Legal Services Corporation (ALSC) · 1-888-478-2572 (statewide intake)
https://www.alsc-law.org/apply-for-services/
Benefits counseling and work (WIPA)
- University of Alaska Anchorage, Center for Human Development (WIPA) · 907-264-6279 (toll-free 800-243-2199)
https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/academics/college-of-health/departments/center-for-human-development/
Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)
Alaska Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), Department of Labor and Workforce Development
- Phone
- 907-465-2814
Good to know in Alaska
- Alaska's extra money for SSI recipients is run by the state, not Social Security. It is called Adult Public Assistance. You apply to the state Division of Public Assistance. (Alaska Department of Health)
- Alaska says changes are coming to Alaska Medicaid starting January 2027. (Alaska Department of Health)
- Adult Public Assistance and Senior Benefits are now paid by direct deposit or an Alaska Quest EBT card. Paper checks are no longer used. (Alaska Department of Health)
Recent changes
Alaska Department of Health: APA paper checks ended; payments now by direct deposit or Alaska Quest EBT card (date not stated on the page). Alaska Medicaid changes announced for January 2027 (staycovered.alaska.gov).
More RobinClaim guides for Alaska → · All states
Sources
- SSA POMS SI 01715.010 - Medicaid and the SSI Program
- SSA POMS SI 01415.000 - Elements of State Supplementary Payments (table of contents, 10/21/2026)
- SSA hearing office locator
- NDRN - Member Agencies (Alaska)
- SSA Ticket to Work - Find Help (WIPA search by ZIP)
- Alaska DOLWD DVR - Disability Determination Services
- Alaska DOLWD - Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
- Alaska Department of Health - Adult Public Assistance (APA)
- Alaska Department of Health - Apply for Medicaid
- Alaska ABLE Plan
- Alaska Legal Services Corporation - Apply for Services
- U.S. District Court, District of Alaska
- 28 U.S.C. 81A - Alaska
- 7 AAC 40 - Adult Public Assistance (Alaska Administrative Code, Alaska Legislature)
- SSA POMS SI 01415.010 - Administration of State Supplementary Programs
- Alaska DPA: 2026 APA Need and Maximum Payment Standards
Last checked: November 2026