Alaska State Benefits for 100% Disabled Veterans
100% State Benefits – Alaska
Note: Information for this document was gathered from various sources including: https://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-state-benefits/alaska-state-veterans-benefits.html
Visit the Alaska Veterans Affairs Website for more detailed information: https://veterans.alaska.gov/
Or see Alaska Veterans Benefits Guide: https://veterans.alaska.gov/media/2062/veterans-benefits-2022-web-version.pdf
Alaska Veterans & Pioneers Home
For more information, visit: https://www.nasvh.org/state-homes/statedir.cfm
Your eligibility for State Veterans Homes is based on clinical need and setting availability.
Each State establishes eligibility and admission criteria for its homes.
Talk with a VA social worker about the eligibility requirements of State Veterans Homes near you and to figure out a plan for paying for State Veterans Home care services.
Veterans Homes Locations:
The Alaska Veterans and Pioneers Home in Palmer strives to assist older Alaskans to have the highest quality of life by providing assisted living in a safe home setting which promotes independence, positive relationships, meaningful activities, and physical, emotional, and spiritual growth. Seventy-five percent of the 79 beds in the home are designated for veterans. Qualifying veterans are eligible for a per diem from the VA to help offset costs of their care.
Eligibility: Honorably separated veterans, 65 or older who require assisted living care are eligible for admission. Veteran must have resided in Alaska for 1 year or more prior to application.
Alaska Veterans Cemeteries
For more detailed information visit: https://www.cem.va.gov/cems/state.asp?STATE=AK
National Cemeteries:
| Fort Richardson National Cemetery | Bldg 58-512 Davis Hwy Fort Richardson, AK 99505 | Phone: 907-384-7075 FAX: 907-384-7111 |
| Sitka National Cemetery | 803 Sawmill Creek Road Sitka, AK 99835 | Phone: 907-384-7075 FAX: 907-384-7111 |
State Veterans Cemetery:
| Fort Richardson National Cemetery | 470 Oceanview Road Metlakatla, AK 99926 | Reginald Atkinson, Mayor Phone: 907-886-4441 |
Many states have established state veterans’ cemeteries. Eligibility is similar to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) national cemeteries but may include residency requirements. Even though they may have been established or improved with Government funds through VA’s Veterans Cemetery Grants Program, state veterans cemeteries are run solely by the states.
Veteran Land and Housing Benefits
Veterans Land Discount/Purchase Preference
Contact the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Mining, Land and Water Management: (907) 269-8400
Under the Veterans Land Sale Preference, before offering to the general public any unoccupied residential land by auction, a veteran has the exclusive opportunity to purchase the land at a restricted sale at fair appraised market value.
Also, the Veterans Land Discount program allows qualified veterans a 25% discount on the purchase price of state residential/recreational land. The discount may be used only once during the veteran’s lifetime.
Veterans Housing and Residential Loans
For more information visit: https://www.ahfc.us/buy/loan-programs/vets or call: 907-338-6100 or 800-478-AHFC (2432)
The Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) administers the Veterans Mortgage Program which offers financing for qualified veterans at low interest rates. Those on active duty may also qualify.
Loans require little or no down payment and usually have lower interest rates interest. Qualified veterans can receive a one percent interest rate reduction on the first $50,000 of the loan amount. There are income limits.
Alaska State Tax Benefits
Property Tax Exemptions
Veterans who have a VA or military disability of 50% or more are exempt from taxes on the first $150,000 of assessed value of their home. The property must be the veteran’s primary residence and permanent place of abode.
The exemption transfers to a 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.
Find your local tax assessor at this link: https://www.publicrecords.onlinesearches.com/Assessor-and-Property-Tax-Records.htm
Alaska Veteran Employment Benefits
Military Credit for State Retirement
For more information visit: http://doa.alaska.gov/drb/pers/employee/militaryPoliceFire/credit.html#.YS0rXY5KiUl
or call (907) 465-4460
If you are an Alaska state employee, you may be able to buy in up to five years of military time to increase your state retirement benefit.
PERS retirees, deferred vested members, and surviving spouses of members who had served in the armed forces, may also be eligible to receive this credit.
Military credit does not count towards retirement eligibility; however, it is used in the calculation of your monthly benefits.
State Employment Preference for Veterans & National Guard Members
For specific eligibility and questions about veteran services, please contact your nearest Alaska Job Center on the web at www.jobs.alaska.gov/offices/ or via phone at (877) 724-2539.
A veteran or national guard member may be entitled to a 5-point preference when applying for a state government job if they meet all other qualifications. A disabled veteran or former POW is entitled to 10-point preference.
Veterans, covered spouses, and caregivers may be eligible for individualized career services or may qualify for a federal program within the Alaska Job Center partnership network.
Waiver of Commercial Driving Skills Test
Visit the following website for more information: https://doa.alaska.gov/dmv/akol/cdl/
The DMV may waive the commercial motor vehicle driving test for certain drivers with recent military commercial motor vehicle experience.
The applicant is still required to pass all the knowledge tests.
Complete the application for military skills test waiver (form 416). Page two of form 416 should be filled out and signed by your commanding officer.
Bring this form with you when you apply for your CDL, it will substitute for the road skills test.
Alaska Veteran Education Benefits
Free Tuition for Surviving Spouse or Dependent
The surviving spouse or dependent of an eligible veteran may be entitled to a waiver of undergraduate tuition and fees at the University of Alaska.
Veteran eligibility requirements:
- Military members who died in the line of duty, or
- Who was listed by the DOD as a POW, or
- Who was killed in the line of action.
There are residency requirements as well.
Contact the University of Alaska school before entering a program.
For more information, contact UAA (907) 786-1480, UAF (907) 474-7211, or UAS (907) 796-6255
Alaska Veteran Recreation Benefits
Alaska Railroad Discount
The Alaska Railroad offers a 20% discount to active duty, military retirees and dependents.
Identification showing proof of status must be shown at boarding.
Reservations can be completed on-line at: www.alaskarailroad.com or by calling (907) 265-2494.
Alaska Marine Highway System
A reduced fare pass is available for travel on Alaska Marine Highway System vessels for veterans having a service-connected disability.
The pass entitles the veteran and an attendant (if required by physician) to travel at half price. Reduced fare does not include vehicle or stateroom.
The pass is valid for travel between Alaskan ports, year-round.
To request a pass application call: 1-800-642-0066.
Disabled Veteran Hunting and Fishing License
For more information and to apply online:https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=huntlicense.military
Disabled veteran hunting and sport fishing licenses are available free to Alaska resident veterans with at least a 50% disability and an honorable discharge. Applicants must have lived in Alaska for 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the application.
Applicants may obtain an application online or by calling (907) 465-2376.
State Camping Pass for Disabled Veterans
Disabled veterans can get one Alaska State Park Camping Pass for free. The camping pass is good in all developed Alaska State Park campgrounds 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.
