Grants for Disabled People in Alaska
Alaska is a state located in the northernmost part of the United States. It is known for its natural beauty; including mountains, glaciers and forests as well as its abundant wildlife, including bears, moose, and salmon. The state has a diverse economy that includes oil, fishing, tourism and government. Despite Alaska’s wealth of resources, many Alaskans face challenges, including poverty and disability.
For those Alaskans who are disabled, there are several grants available to help support their needs. These grants come from various sources including federal and state government agencies, private foundations and nonprofit organizations.
Whether you are a disabled Alaskan or a caregiver or advocate for someone who is, it is crucial to be aware of the various financial assistance programs available for individuals with disabilities in Alaska. These programs provide much-needed support to help disabled individuals and their families meet the multiple challenges they face in their daily lives. In this article, we will explore some of the grants and financial assistance programs available to disabled Alaskans with a focus on those that provide practical help with essential needs such as healthcare, food, clothing, housing and transportation.
State Assistance
Alaska’s Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) assists persons with disabilities in obtaining employment. The program offers job training, career counseling and other support services to eligible individuals. Check out this website to learn more about this organization, https://labor.alaska.gov/dvr/.
Health Assistance
Alaska Medicaid is a state and federally-funded program that provides health coverage for eligible individuals with disabilities. The program covers medical, dental and prescription drug expenses among other services. To be eligible, disabled individuals must meet certain income and residency requirements. More information is available at https://health.alaska.gov/dpa/pages/medicaid/default.aspx.
Alaska Health Care Commission is a state organization that works to improve the health and well-being of Alaskans, including those with disabilities. The commission provides information and resources on healthcare access and quality, as well as programs and initiatives to help disabled people get the healthcare they need. Find out more at https://health.alaska.gov/Commissioner/Pages/default.aspx.
Social Security
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides financial support to individuals who are unable to work due to a disability and have enough work credits. It is a federal insurance program managed by the Social Security Administration. To learn more about SSDI, visit the official website https://www.ssa.gov/disability.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal program that provides financial assistance to people with disabilities who have limited income and resources. The program is also managed by the Social Security Administration. To see more information and apply, please visit https://www.ssa.gov/ssi.
Financial Assistance
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is a financial assistance program that helps low-income families, including those with disabilities, cover their basic needs, such as food, housing and clothing. TANF is a safety net for families who are struggling to make ends meet and need support to get back on their feet. The program provides temporary financial assistance to eligible families to help them through difficult times and support their transition to self-sufficiency.https://www.usa.gov/welfare-benefits.
Housing and rent assistance
Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) provides a range of programs aimed at helping disabled Alaskans find safe and affordable housing. Some of the services offered include rental assistance, home ownership programs and energy conservation measures. For more information, visit the AHFC website at https://www.ahfc.us/.
Alaska Community Action on Toxics (ACAT) Health & Housing Assistance offers various health and housing services to Alaskan communities, including assistance with energy bills, home weatherization and lead-based paint abatement. For additional information, please visit https://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/supported/translational/community/acat.
Utility Bill Assistance
Alaska 2-1-1 is a comprehensive information and referral service that helps disabled seniors, veterans and families in Alaska access the resources and services they need. They provide information on a wide range of topics; including utility bill assistance programs for those in need, including disabled individuals. The service is available to everyone in Alaska and it is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through a toll-free phone call or online through their website. The website also features a searchable database of community resources and services, making it a one-stop shop for information on support and assistance in Alaska. For more information, please visit https://www.unitedwayseak.org/alaska-2-1-1.
Assistance from Charities and Nonprofits
The Arc of Alaska provides support, resources and advocacy for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. They offer a variety of programs including job training, transportation assistance and housing support. To learn more, visit https://thearc.org/chapter/alaska/.
Easterseals Alaska offers a wide range of services and support to disabled mothers, children, adults and their families, including occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech therapy. They also present financial assistance and job training. To learn more about Easterseals Alaska, please visit https://www.easterseals.com/alaska/.
Transportation Assistance
Access Alaska helps disabled people, seniors and veterans get to work, medical appointments and other important places by providing transportation. Access Alaska presents a number of services, including public transportation, paratransit services and rural transit services. For more information, please visit https://www.accessalaska.org.
Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities provides transportation assistance to disabled individuals through various programs, including the Statewide Transportation Grant Program and the Public Transportation Development Program. These initiatives provide money for transportation services and infrastructure in Alaskan communities, particularly transportation for people with disabilities. Find out more at https://dot.alaska.gov/
Food Assistance
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides low-income adults, children and families, including those with disabilities with monthly benefits to purchase food. The program is administered by the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services and is designed to help eligible individuals and families buy the food they need to maintain a healthy diet. For more information, please visit https://health.alaska.gov/.
The Food Bank of Alaska is a nonprofit organization that aims to alleviate hunger in Alaska. They work to provide nutritious food to those in need through partnerships with over 200 non-profit organizations, food pantries and schools. The organization provides food to needy people, veterans and seniors in Alaska by collecting and distributing donations of food and other necessities as well as by providing hunger relief programs and education. Find out more at https://foodbankofalaska.org.
Legal Assistance
Alaska Legal Services Corporation (ALSC) is a non-profit organization that offers free legal assistance to needy individuals and families, including those with disabilities, in civil matters such as housing, domestic violence and public benefits. They can be contacted for more details at https://www.alsc-law.org.
The Alaska Bar Association is a professional organization that offers resources and support to individuals seeking legal representation including those with disabilities. They provide a directory of local lawyers and information on legal rights and responsibilities. To learn more, you can visit their website at https://www.barassociationdirectory.com/ak/.
The Disability Law Center of Alaska is a non-profit organization that provides legal representation and advocacy for adults and children with disabilities, including those with mental and physical disabilities. For further information, you can visit their website at https://dlcak.org/.
Business Support for Disabled People
The Alaska Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) assists people with disabilities in finding and keeping jobs including job training and aids in obtaining appropriate workplace accommodations. For more information, visit the official website at https://labor.alaska.gov/dvr/.
Alaska Native Heritage Center assists and provides resources to native Alaskans, especially those with disabilities, who are starting or running small businesses. For more information and to connect with their services, visit the official website at https://www.alaskanative.net/.
Assistance for Disabled Veterans
The Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs provides information and support to Alaska’s disabled veterans, which is particularly helpful in obtaining federal and state benefits. Visit the Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs website at https://veterans.alaska.gov/ for more information.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers a range of benefits for disabled veterans, including compensation for service-connected disabilities, education and training, home loan guarantees and more. For further information, visit the VA’s website at https://www.usa.gov/agencies/u-s-department-of-veterans-affairs.
Alaska Department of Health and Social Services Division of Aging and Disability Services is a state agency that provides support and services to disabled individuals in Alaska, including veterans. They provide programs and services targeted at increasing disabled people’s quality of life and ensuring their access to vital resources and services. The Division of Aging and Disability Services offers services such as
- In-home care
- Home-delivered meals,
- Caregiver assistance
- Transportation.
They also provide disability rights information and services, as well as financial support and legal protections for disabled people. Visit the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services Division of Aging and Disability Services’ website at https://health.alaska.gov/dsds/Pages/default.aspx to learn more about their programs and services.
Assistance for Disabled Seniors
Alaska Commission on Aging is a state-level organization dedicated to serving the senior population in Alaska, including those with disabilities. They provide a wide range of services to assist this population with their unique needs, such as
- Information and referral services,
- Case management,
- Legal services.
Additionally, they work to raise awareness and advocate for the rights of older Alaskans and those with disabilities. Through their website, individuals can connect with their services, learn more about their programs and get information on how to access the resources they offer. They aim to help seniors and people with disabilities live with dignity and independence and support them in maintaining their quality of life. For more information and to connect with their services, visit https://health.alaska.gov/acoa/pages/default.aspx.
