Deafness Benefits in Alaska: 2025 Guide

• To qualify for federal disability benefits (SSI or SSDI), you must have a medically verified disability that limits your ability to work for at least 12 months or is expected to result in death.
• For SSI, your income and resources must be below set limits. For SSDI, you must have worked and paid Social Security taxes before your disability.
• Deafness is considered a qualifying disability if it meets Social Security’s definition of disability.
• Children under 18 may qualify for benefits if their parent receives Social Security retirement, disability, or survivor benefits and the child has a qualifying disability that began before age 22.
• Adults who became disabled before age 22 may qualify for benefits based on a parent’s work record if they are unmarried and meet the disability definition.
• You must not have substantial earnings (in 2025, more than $1,620/month, or $2,700 if blind) to qualify for benefits as a disabled adult child.

[Source: Social Security Administration, 2025](https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/disability/qualify.html, accessed 2025-11-05)

• In Alaska, people who are Deaf may qualify for Adult Public Assistance (APA) if they are aged, blind, or disabled and meet income and asset limits.
• To qualify for APA, you must be at least 18 years old, a resident of Alaska, and a U.S. citizen or qualified immigrant.
• Resources (assets) must not exceed $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple.
• You must apply for and pursue any other benefits for which you appear eligible, such as federal SSI, Social Security, or veterans’ benefits.
• Alaska’s ABLE program allows eligible people with disabilities to save up to $14,000 per year in a tax-advantaged account for qualified expenses without losing federal benefits.
• The ABLE account is open to people whose disability began before age 26 and who meet Social Security’s definition of disability.

[Source: Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, 2025](https://health.alaska.gov/en/services/adult-public-assistance-apa/, accessed 2025-11-05); [Alaska ABLE Plan, 2025](https://www.nasddds.org/alaska-launches-savings-plan-for-children-and-adults-with-a-disability-or-b/, accessed 2025-11-05)

• Gather medical records that document your Deafness.
• Check your eligibility for SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, and Alaska ABLE accounts.
• Apply online, by phone, or in person at your local Social Security office or Alaska Department of Health and Social Services.
• Report all income and assets accurately.
• Keep copies of all forms and correspondence.

[Source: Social Security Administration, 2025](https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/disability/qualify.html, accessed 2025-11-05); [Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, 2025](https://health.alaska.gov/en/services/adult-public-assistance-apa/, accessed 2025-11-05)

• Step 1: Get a medical evaluation and documentation of your Deafness from a qualified healthcare provider.
• Step 2: Review eligibility requirements for SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, and Alaska ABLE accounts.
• Step 3: Apply for federal benefits:
  • SSI: Apply online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at a local Social Security office.
  • SSDI: Apply online at ssa.gov, by phone, or in person.
• Step 4: Apply for Alaska Adult Public Assistance (APA):
  • Visit your local Department of Health and Social Services office or apply online.
  • Provide proof of income, assets, residency, and medical documentation.
• Step 5: Open an Alaska ABLE account online at the official ABLE website.
• Step 6: Report any changes in income, assets, or living situation to avoid overpayments.
• Step 7: Keep records of all applications, approvals, and correspondence.

[Source: Social Security Administration, 2025](https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/disability/qualify.html, accessed 2025-11-05); [Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, 2025](https://health.alaska.gov/en/services/adult-public-assistance-apa/, accessed 2025-11-05); [Alaska ABLE Plan, 2025](https://www.nasddds.org/alaska-launches-savings-plan-for-children-and-adults-with-a-disability-or-b/, accessed 2025-11-05)

• SSI (Supplemental Security Income): Monthly cash payments for people with limited income and resources who are aged, blind, or disabled.
• SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance): Monthly cash payments for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes before their disability.
• Medicaid: Health coverage for people with low income and limited resources.
• Medicare: Health coverage for people with disabilities who receive SSDI for 24 months.
• Medicaid Waivers (HCBS): Home and Community-Based Services for people who need long-term care support.

[Source: Social Security Administration, 2025](https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/disability/qualify.html, accessed 2025-11-05)

• Alaska Adult Public Assistance (APA): Cash assistance for needy aged, blind, and disabled Alaskans to help them remain independent.
• Alaska ABLE Plan: Tax-advantaged savings accounts for eligible people with disabilities to save for qualified expenses without losing federal benefits.
• Medicaid Waivers (HCBS): Alaska offers Medicaid waivers for people who need long-term care support and want to live in the community.
• Disability Benefits for Alaska Employees: Public employees may qualify for disability benefits through the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) or Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS).

[Source: Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, 2025](https://health.alaska.gov/en/services/adult-public-assistance-apa/, accessed 2025-11-05); [Alaska ABLE Plan, 2025](https://www.nasddds.org/alaska-launches-savings-plan-for-children-and-adults-with-a-disability-or-b/, accessed 2025-11-05); [Alaska DRB, 2025](https://drb.alaska.gov/employee/disability.html, accessed 2025-11-05)

• Alaska’s ABLE program lets eligible people with disabilities save up to $14,000 per year in a tax-advantaged account.
• Funds can be used for qualified disability-related expenses like education, transportation, and assistive technology.
• Savings in an ABLE account do not count toward the $2,000 SSI resource limit.
• To open an account, you must meet Social Security’s definition of disability and have a disability that began before age 26.

[Source: Alaska ABLE Plan, 2025](https://www.nasddds.org/alaska-launches-savings-plan-for-children-and-adults-with-a-disability-or-b/, accessed 2025-11-05)

• SSI: Income and resource limits change each year. In 2025, the resource limit is $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple.
• APA: Income and resource limits are set by Alaska. The resource limit is $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple.
• SSDI: There is no resource limit, but you must have worked and paid Social Security taxes before your disability.

[Source: Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, 2025](https://health.alaska.gov/en/services/adult-public-assistance-apa/, accessed 2025-11-05); [Social Security Administration, 2025](https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/disability/qualify.html, accessed 2025-11-05)

• You must report changes in income, assets, or living situation to avoid overpayments.
• Overpayments can result in repayment demands or loss of benefits.
• Report changes as soon as possible to your local Social Security office or Alaska Department of Health and Social Services.

[Source: Social Security Administration, 2025](https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/disability/qualify.html, accessed 2025-11-05); [Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, 2025](https://health.alaska.gov/en/services/adult-public-assistance-apa/, accessed 2025-11-05)

• Alaska Department of Health and Social Services
  Phone: 907-465-3341

  TTY: 907-465-2551

  Email: dhss.webmaster@alaska.gov

  Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM AKST

  Website

  For Adult Public Assistance and Medicaid questions.
• Social Security Administration
  Phone: 1-800-772-1213

  TTY: 1-800-325-0778

  Hours: Monday-Friday 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM

  Website

  For SSI, SSDI, and ABLE account questions.

• What is the difference between SSI and SSDI for Deafness in Alaska?

  SSI is for people with limited income and resources, while SSDI is for those who worked and paid Social Security taxes. Both programs recognize Deafness as a qualifying disability if it meets Social Security’s definition.

• Can I get Medicaid if I am Deaf in Alaska?

  Yes, if you meet income and resource limits, you can get Medicaid in Alaska. Medicaid covers healthcare, including hearing aids and assistive technology for people who are Deaf.

• How do I apply for Alaska Adult Public Assistance (APA)?

  You can apply online, by phone, or in person at your local Department of Health and Social Services office. You will need to provide proof of income, assets, residency, and medical documentation.

• What is an Alaska ABLE account?

  An Alaska ABLE account is a tax-advantaged savings account for eligible people with disabilities. You can save up to $14,000 per year for qualified expenses without losing federal benefits.

• Can children who are Deaf get benefits in Alaska?

  Yes, children under 18 who are Deaf may qualify for benefits if their parent receives Social Security retirement, disability, or survivor benefits and the child has a qualifying disability that began before age 22.

• What are the income limits for Alaska disability benefits?

  For SSI and APA, the resource limit is $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple. SSDI has no resource limit, but you must have worked and paid Social Security taxes before your disability.