Veteran Benefits In Alaska
Available VA benefits in Alaska include healthcare, employment, education and real estate services for eligible military members and their families. Additional Veterans administration benefits include disability compensation and pension benefits.
Memorial-related veterans benefits provide no-cost funeral honors to military members and their dependents after the death of a servicemember. As such, military members may apply for veterans assistance programs through the state Office of Veterans Affairs or online. To learn more about benefits for veterans in AK, review the information below.
Disability Benefits for Veterans in Alaska
At a federal level, VA disability pay is provided to military members with service-related disabilities. Available VA disability benefits in AK include general compensation, Dependency and Indemnity compensation (DIC) and Special Monthly Compensation (SMC).
Eligible applicants may apply for VA disability claims online, in person at a local VA office or by mailing an Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits (Form 21-526EZ) to the following address:
Department of Veterans Affairs Claims Intake Center P.O. Box 444 Janesville, WI 53547-4444
In addition to disabled veterans benefits, military members and their families receive VA life insurance benefits, including Servicemember’s Group Life Insurance (SGLI), Veterans Group Life Insurance (VGLI) and Veterans Mortgage Life Insurance (VMLI). Disabled veteran life insurance for injuries or disabilities sustained during service is also available.
Note: To apply for VA disability compensation through the DIC program, veterans must complete an Application for DIC, Death Pension and/or Accrued Benefits (Form 21-534EZ), or Form 21-2680 to apply for SMC. Applicants must mail requests for VA disability claims to their local VA office.
Health Insurance Benefits for Veterans in Alaska
In addition to disabled veterans benefits, eligible military members receive VA health care services through the state’s VA Healthcare System (AVAHS). Under the state’s VA health insurance plan, veterans receive access to home telehealth, mental health services, prescription drug coverage and primary and specialty care for female military members.
Other VA medical benefits are available to homeless veterans through the Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) program or the Homeless Patient Aligned Care Team (H-PACTs) initiative. Keep in mind that the term VA Medicaid, while sometimes used to describe VA health benefits, is not the health service that the VA offers to veterans.
Medicaid is a completely different program offered through a different government agency.
To apply for veterans health insurance in Alaska, eligible candidates must complete an Application for Health Care Benefits (Form 10-10EZ) and submit it online, in person or by mail at the following address:
Alaska VA Healthcare System Business Office - Eligibility 1201 North Muldoon Road Anchorage, AK 99504
Pension Benefits for Veterans in Alaska
Low-income servicemembers may apply for VA pension benefits through the supplemental Veterans Pension program. Housebound veterans may qualify for additional VA pension benefits in AK, including Aid & Attendance (A&A) and Housebound benefits.
To apply for veterans pension benefits, military members must complete an Application for Pension (Form 21P-527EZ) and submit it online, in person at a local benefit office, or by mailing the application to a Pension Management Center (PMC) serving the state of Alaska.
To apply for veterans pension benefits through the A&A or Housebound programs, military members must visit a local VA office to submit all supporting medical evidence, or they may write to their local PMC office at the following address:
Department of Veterans Affairs Claims Intake Center ATTN: St. Paul Pension Center P.O. Box 5365 Janesville, WI 53547-5365
Survivor VA pension benefits (or death benefits) are available to the spouses and children of deceased veterans. To apply for survivor pension benefits, family members must complete an Application for DIC, Death Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits (Form 21P-534EZ).
Housing Benefits for Veterans in Alaska
Alaska VA housing benefits include real estate options through the state Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC), the Veterans Interest Rate Preference program and the Land Discount program.
Furthermore, disabled veterans who meet VA home loan eligibility may qualify for property tax exemptions. To learn more about VA home loan rates through the AHFC, applicants must contact 907-338-6100. For more information about the Land Discount program, servicemembers must contact the state’s Department of Natural Resources at 907-269-8400.
To learn more about current VA mortgage rates through the Interest Rate Preference program, applicants must visit a VA facility in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Soldotna or Wasilla.
Additionally, a federal VA home loan is available through the following home loan programs:
- Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan (IRRRL)
- Native American Direct Loan (NADL)
- Adapted Housing Grants
- Property tax reductions
Education Benefits for Veterans in Alaska
Alaska VA education benefits include Operation Recognition, student loan protection and educational benefits through the University of Alaska (UA) in Anchorage, Fairbanks or Juneau.
The UA also provides scholarships for veterans who serve in the National Guard or resident tuition for active duty military members. Additionally, federal veterans education benefits include scholarships and programs under the GI bill, which provides educational assistance to eligible servicemembers and their families.
Educational programs under the Montgomery GI bill are available to members of the Armed Forces.
Employment Benefits for Veterans in Alaska
In addition to providing military personnel with veteran scholarships, the state provides service members with VA employment resources, as well. Available veteran employment services include Hero2Hired (H2H), VetSuccess, USERRA, tax credits and retirement benefits.
Other resources pertaining to va jobs in Alaska include access to the state’s 21 job centers and the various services they provide. Veteran employment services include career counseling, job referrals, vocation assessments, job development, resume assistance and more.
Note: To learn more about jobs for veterans and the different employment services available in the state, applicants may call 877-724-2539.
Funeral Benefits for Veterans in Alaska
Available VA death benefits in AK include funeral honors provided by the Honor Guard. To be eligible for VA burial benefits such as these, military members must have served in the Selective Reserve or on active duty, and applicants must present proof of documentation, including an Honorable Discharge Certificate, DD-214, or the credentials for an award received.
To apply for veterans death benefits, surviving family members must contact a funeral director to request funeral honors for a loved one.