Alaska Senior Benefits Program
Last updated August 2026
The Alaska Senior Benefits Program pays a monthly cash benefit to Alaskans age 65 or older who have low to moderate income. The payment is $250, $175, or $125 a month, and which one you get depends on your income. You can apply online through the Alaska Connect portal, or by phone at 800-478-7778 (TDD or Alaska Relay 7-1-1).
The three payment levels are tied to income. The $250, $175, and $125 payments line up with 75 percent, 100 percent, and 175 percent of the federal poverty level for Alaska. So the lower your income, the higher your monthly payment, up to $250.
Here are the income lines for one person, effective April 1, 2025. To get the $250 payment, gross income is up to $14,663 a year ($1,222 a month). For the $175 payment, it is up to $19,550 a year ($1,630 a month). For the $125 payment, it is up to $34,213 a year ($2,852 a month).
The limits are higher for a married couple, also effective April 1, 2025. The $250 payment goes to couples with income up to $19,823 a year, the $175 payment up to $26,430 a year, and the $125 payment up to $46,253 a year. Both members' income is counted together.
A big plus of this program is what it does not count. Eligibility and your payment are based on your gross annual income only. Assets such as savings are not counted, so money in the bank does not push you out. To qualify, you must be an Alaska resident, a U.S. citizen or qualified alien, and have or have applied for a Social Security number.
One rule to note: payments are not available to seniors living in a prison or jail, the Alaska Pioneers' Home or Alaska Veterans' Home, a nursing home, or a public or private institution for mental disease. Apply through Alaska Connect or call 800-478-7778, and your benefit arrives by direct deposit or an Alaska Quest EBT card.
Phone 800-478-7778
Updated August 2026 Program details can change — confirm with the program directly.
Who qualifies
- Alaska residents age 65 or older with countable income at or below the program's limits, which follow the Alaska poverty guidelines
- Savings and other resources do not count toward eligibility
You may qualify. The program makes the final decision.
How to apply
- 1
Apply online through the Alaska Connect portal, or by phone at 800-478-7778.
- 2
Confirm you are age 65 or older and an Alaska resident with a Social Security number.
- 3
Have proof of your gross annual income ready, since that sets your payment level.
- 4
Know that savings and other assets are not counted toward eligibility.
- 5
Choose direct deposit or an Alaska Quest EBT card to receive your monthly benefit.
What to have ready
- Photo ID and proof that you are 65 or older
- Proof of your gross annual income
- Your Social Security number or proof you have applied for one. The office confirms the exact list.
What the application looks like
Common questions
How much does the program pay?
A monthly cash benefit of $250, $175, or $125, based on your income. The amounts line up with 75, 100, and 175 percent of the Alaska poverty level.
What is the income limit for one person?
As of April 1, 2025: up to $14,663 a year for the $250 payment, up to $19,550 for the $175 payment, and up to $34,213 for the $125 payment.
Do my savings count?
No. Assets such as savings are not counted. Only your gross annual income decides eligibility and your payment level.
Who is not eligible?
Seniors living in a prison or jail, the Alaska Pioneers' Home or Veterans' Home, a nursing home, or an institution for mental disease.
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