Veteran Benefits By State: ALASKA
Military veterans who live in Alaska are eligible for various benefits. Some of the key benefits available to them include:
Healthcare: Veterans can access healthcare services through the Alaska VA Healthcare System, which provides comprehensive medical care, mental health services, and specialized programs for veterans.
Education and Training: Veterans can take advantage of educational benefits such as the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which provides financial support for tuition, housing, and books. Alaska also offers state-specific education programs and tuition waivers for veterans.
Employment and Training: Veterans can access job placement services, priority in federal hiring, and various training programs through the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The Transition Assistance Program (TAP) helps veterans transition from military to civilian careers.
State Employment Preference: Disabled veterans with a 100% disability rating may receive preference in state employment, giving them an advantage when applying for state government jobs.
Housing: Veterans in Alaska can benefit from programs such as the VA Home Loan Guaranty Program, which assists in obtaining home loans with favorable terms.
Veteran Land Discount/Purchase Preference The Veterans Land Discount program allows certain veterans a 20 percent discount on the purchase price of state residential/recreational land. The discount may be used only once during the veteran’s lifetime and may not be used in conjunction with the veterans preference. Under the veteran’s land sale preference, before offering to the general public an unoccupied residential land by auction, a veteran has the exclusive opportunity to purchase the land at a restricted sale at fair appraised market value. Parcels that are offered under this preference must be five acres or less, classified as settlement land, and zoned for residential use only. A fact sheet is available on benefits administered by the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Mining, Land and Water Management. For more information call (907) 269-8400 or visit www.dnr.alaska.gov/mlw/cdn/pdf/factsheets/landsales-veterans.pdf.
Tax Exemptions: Alaska provides property tax exemptions for disabled veterans and surviving spouses. Veterans may also be eligible for other tax benefits, such as exemptions on military retirement pay.
Veterans with a 100% service-connected disability rating may qualify for a property tax exemption on their primary residence. This exemption can provide significant savings on property taxes.
Alaska Property Tax Exemption Real property, owned and occupied as the primary residence and permanent place of abode by a qualified disabled veteran whose disability was incurred or aggravated in the line of duty and whose disability has been rated at 50 percent or more by their military service or the federal VA, is exempt from taxation on the first $150,000 of assessed valuation. The exemption transfers to the spouse if the veteran passes away and the spouse is at least 60 years of age. For more information, contact your local tax assessor’s office by March 15 for the current year exemption.
Burial Benefits: Veterans can receive burial benefits, including burial in a national cemetery, headstones or markers, burial flags, and financial assistance for funeral expenses.
Vehicle Registration Fee Exemption: Disabled veterans with a 100% disability rating may be exempt from paying vehicle registration fees.
Hunting and Fishing Licenses: Disabled veterans with a 50% or greater service-connected disability rating may be eligible for discounted hunting and fishing licenses. This benefit allows veterans to enjoy outdoor activities at a reduced cost.
Parking Pass and Boat Launch Pass: Disabled U.S. Veterans Camping passes are available through the Anchorage and Fairbanks DNR Public Information Centers. Please call the Fairbanks PIC at (907) 451-2705 or the Anchorage PIC at (907) 269-8400 for more information.
PLEASE NOTE that the following facilities DO NOT accept state park annual passes: the Pillars Boat Launch, Arctic Valley, Eagle Rock Boat Launch and Eagle River Nature Center. See Fees by Park Facility for more information.
Annual park passes may be purchased either in person, or ordered online. Passes are good for the calendar year and are honored at most state parks. To purchase an annual pass in person, please see the list of physical locations where passes are available.
Permanent Disabled Veteran License Plates: Veterans with a 100% disability rating may be eligible for permanent disabled veteran license plates, which can provide convenient and visible identification of their veteran status.
Alaska Application for Special Disability Parking Permit
Veteran Land Discount/Purchase Preference:
The Veterans Land Discount program allows certain veterans a 20 percent discount on the purchase price of state residential/recreational land. The discount may be used only once during the veteran’s lifetime and may not be used in conjunction with the veterans preference. Under the veteran’s land sale preference, before offering to the general public an unoccupied residential land by auction, a veteran has the exclusive opportunity to purchase the land at a restricted sale at fair appraised market value. Parcels that are offered under this preference must be five acres or less, classified as settlement land, and zoned for residential use only. A fact sheet is available on benefits administered by the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Mining, Land and Water Management. For more information call (907) 269-8400 or visit www.dnr.alaska.gov/mlw/cdn/pdf/factsheets/landsales-veterans.pdf.
Alaska Veterans Dependent Tuition Waiver Program:
The spouse and dependents of an armed service member, who was an Alaska resident and died in the line of duty, or was listed by the Department of Defense as a Prisoner of War, or was killed in action, is entitled to a waiver of undergraduate tuition at any University of Alaska system school. For more information, contact UAA (907) 786-1480, UAF (907) 474-7211, or UAS (907) 796-6255.
VA/Tribal Health Care Sharing Agreement:
The tribal reimbursement program provides a means for tribal health facilities to receive reimbursement from the federal VA for direct care and services provided to American Indian and Alaska Native eligible veterans, as well as all veterans who live in and around tribal facilities in Alaska. This increases our total care facilities to 127 across the state. If you have any questions about this service, contact the Patient Aligned Care Team call center at (907) 257-5460 ext. 5490.
VA/Alaska Highly Rural Travel Grant:
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Transportation Program, provides to the State of Alaska, through the Office of Veterans Affairs, a $250,000 annual travel grant. This grant provides transportation options to veterans residing in five rural areas who need to access health care services. The following five VA approved boroughs continue to provide free transportation for veterans: Denali, Matanuska-Susitna, Kodiak Island, Kenai Peninsula, and Prince of Wales-Hyder. Veterans living in those communities qualify to use an array of transportation options so that they may seek the health care they need. The Office of Veterans Affairs identified and partnered with five transportation organizations to meet those needs: Interior Alaska Bus Line (Denali Borough), Valley Mover (Matanuska-Susitna Borough), Alaska Marine Highway System (Kodiak Island Borough), AAA Alaska Cab, Inc., (Kenai Peninsula Borough) and Inter-Island Ferry System Authority (Prince of Wales–Hyder). Transportation continues at no cost to veterans requiring access to the VA Medical Clinic or Community Based Outpatient Clinics, as well as hospitals under the Native Health Care Sharing Agreement or VA authorized vendors, such as pharmacies or medical specialists. Funds are limited in each area, and this program is used if Travel Reimbursement is not covered for the eligible veteran. For more information, contact the Office of Veterans Affairs at (907) 334-0874 or toll free at (888) 246-3682.
Alaska Hunting and Fishing:
Resident hunting and sport fishing licenses are available at no charge to honorably discharged veterans with a 50 percent or more service-connected disability who are Alaska residents. Applicants may obtain an application online or by calling (907) 465-2376.
Alaska Marine Highway Pass:
A one-year pass on the ferries of the Alaska Marine Highway is available for veterans with a service-connected disability. The pass entitles the disabled veteran and an attendant (if required by a physician) to travel at 50 percent of the regular fare, between Alaska ports only. To request a pass application call 1-800-642-0066 or access from veterans.alaska.gov
State Camping Pass:
Disabled veterans can receive a free camping pass, which is valid in all developed Alaska State Park campgrounds and is good for two years. To receive the camping pass, a disabled veteran must present proof of a service-connected disability and Alaska residency at one of the Department of Natural Resources Public Information Centers. For more information, call (907) 269-8400 in Anchorage, (907) 451-2705 in Fairbanks, or (907) 465-3400 in Juneau.
Federal Recreation Pass:
The America the Beautiful Parks Pass Series is your ticket to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the nation. Included in this series are two passes that benefit current service members and disabled veterans. A free annual pass is available to active duty, Reserves and National Guard members, and their dependents. A free access pass is also available to U.S. citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities. Each pass covers entrance fees at national parks and national wildlife refuges, as well as standard amenity fees at national forests and grasslands and at lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation. You can obtain a pass in person, with proper documentation, from a participating federal recreation site or office. For more information, visit www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm.
Alaska Railroad Discount:
The Alaska Railroad offers a 20-percent discount to active duty members, military retirees, and dependents. Reservations can be completed on-line at www.alaskarailroad.com or by calling (907) 265-2494. Identification showing proof of status must be shown at boarding.
Complete Alaska Veterans Benefits Guide from Veterans.Alaska.gov
Alaska Warrior Partnership™ (AKWP) is committed to improving veterans’ quality of life in the state of Alaska through the coordination of local services and opportunities; from housing and employment to enrollment in VA ebenefits, healthcare, recreation, and more.
Alaska Housing and Residential Loans:
The Alaska Housing Financial Corporation (AHFC) administers the Veterans Mortgage program, which offers financing for qualified veterans at a lower interest rate. To apply for a loan under this program, contact an AHFC approved lender. AHFC also offers a Veterans Interest Rate Preference, in which a veteran receives a one percent lower interest rate on the first $50,000 of a bank loan when purchasing a new home. Ask the bank handling the financing to implement this program for you. For details, call (907) 338-6100 or 1-800-478-2432 or visit www.ahfc.us/buy/loan-programs/vets
The Alaska Pioneer Homes are licensed assisted living homes that are owned and operated by the State of Alaska. We have a proud history of service to Alaskans that predates statehood, with our first home opening in Sitka in 1913! Since then we have grown and expanded to an additional five locations in Fairbanks, Palmer, Anchorage, Ketchikan and Juneau.
Alaska Veterans and Pioneers Home
In 2004, the Alaska legislature approved development of the state’s first veterans home. After extensive remodeling and upgrades to meet federal VA requirements, the facility was renamed the Alaska Veterans and Pioneers Home. The home strives to assist older Alaskans to have the highest quality of life by providing assisted living in a safe home setting that promotes independence, positive relationships, meaningful activities, as well as physical, emotional, and spiritual growth. Qualifying veterans are eligible for a per diem from the federal VA to offset costs of their care. For more information on how to qualify for the federal VA benefits, call the home’s veteran’s liaison at 1-800-355-3117 or (907) 745-4241. Depending on health status and need, the home may provide the following:
· Private or semi-private rooms
· Opportunities for recreation
· Meals and housekeeping services
· Emergency assistance
· Physical activities
· Assistance with activities of daily living
· Nursing assessment and intermittent health services dependent upon level of care
· Payment assistance for those who qualify
· Pharmacy services