Short Stature Benefits in Alaska: How to Apply & Get Help

To get federal disability benefits in Alaska, you must have a medical condition that stops you from working for at least one year. For Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you need enough work credits. For Supplemental Security Income (SSI), your income and assets must be low. Short Stature may qualify if it causes major limitations in daily life or work. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses strict rules to decide if your condition is disabling. You must provide medical proof, such as doctor reports and test results. If approved, you can get monthly payments and Medicaid or Medicare (citations: [6]).

Alaska follows federal rules for SSI and SSDI, but also has state-specific programs. For example, Alaska Medicaid — TEFRA helps children under 19 with disabilities, even if their family income is too high for regular Medicaid. Only the child’s income and resources are counted. Alaska also offers ABLE accounts, which let people with disabilities save money for qualified expenses without losing federal benefits. To qualify for state programs, you may need to meet extra medical or financial rules. Always check with Alaska agencies for the latest details (citations: [1], [4]).

• Gather medical records and proof of income.
• Apply for SSI/SSDI online, by phone, or at a local SSA office.
• For Alaska Medicaid — TEFRA, contact Comagine Health.
• For Alaska ABLE accounts, visit the official website.
• Ask for help if you need it—Alaska agencies offer support.

• Step 1: Collect documents. Get medical records, proof of income, and ID.
• Step 2: Apply for SSI/SSDI. Go to ssa.gov or your local SSA office. Answer all questions truthfully and submit all records.
• Step 3: Wait for a decision. Alaska’s Disability Determination Services (DDS) reviews your medical evidence. This can take about 6 months.
• Step 4: Apply for Medicaid. If you get SSI, you may qualify for Medicaid. For children, apply for Alaska Medicaid — TEFRA through Comagine Health.
• Step 5: Open an ABLE account. If eligible, open an Alaska ABLE account online to save for disability expenses.
• Step 6: Report changes. Tell SSA and Alaska agencies about any changes in your income or health.
• Step 7: Appeal if denied. You can appeal SSI/SSDI decisions through reconsideration and a hearing (citations: [2], [3], [4]).

• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): Monthly payments if you have enough work credits and a qualifying disability.
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI): Monthly payments for people with low income and assets who have a qualifying disability.
• Medicaid: Health coverage for people with disabilities who get SSI or meet other rules.
• Medicare: Health coverage for people who get SSDI after 24 months.
• ABLE Accounts: Tax-advantaged savings accounts for disability expenses (citations: [6]).

• Alaska Medicaid — TEFRA: Health coverage for children under 19 with disabilities, even if family income is too high for regular Medicaid. Only the child’s income and resources are counted.
• Alaska ABLE Plan: Tax-advantaged savings accounts for people with disabilities. You can save up to $14,000 per year without losing federal benefits.
• Medicaid Waiver Programs: Help with home and community-based services for people with disabilities. These programs may have waiting lists.
• Disability Determination Services (DDS): Reviews medical evidence for SSI/SSDI applications in Alaska (citations: [1], [2], [4], [5]).

Alaska’s ABLE Plan lets people with disabilities save money for qualified expenses like education, transportation, and assistive technology. Earnings are tax-free if used for these expenses. You can save up to $14,000 per year without losing SSI or Medicaid benefits. The account is easy to open online. For more details, visit the Alaska ABLE Plan website (citations: [1]).

For SSI, your income and assets must be low. The asset limit is $2,000 for an individual. For SSDI, there is no asset limit, but you must have enough work credits. For Alaska Medicaid — TEFRA, only the child’s income and resources are counted, not the parents’. For ABLE accounts, you can save up to $14,000 per year without losing benefits (citations: [1], [3]).

You must report changes in your income, assets, or health to SSA and Alaska agencies. If you get too much money, you may have to pay it back. Always report changes quickly to avoid overpayments. For more details, see the guide on avoiding overpayments and reporting changes (citations: [3]).

• Disability Determination Services (DDS)
  Phone: 907-269-5550

  Website

  Anchorage office serves all of Alaska.
• Comagine Health (Medicaid — TEFRA)
  Phone: 800-770-4410

  Hours: Standard business hours

  Website

  Helps with Alaska Medicaid — TEFRA applications.

• Can Short Stature qualify for SSI or SSDI in Alaska?

  Yes, if Short Stature causes major limitations in daily life or work, it may qualify for SSI or SSDI. You must provide medical proof and meet federal rules. Alaska follows federal guidelines for these programs.

• How do I apply for disability benefits in Alaska?

  Gather medical records and proof of income. Apply online, by phone, or at a local SSA office. Alaska’s Disability Determination Services reviews your medical evidence. You can get help from Alaska agencies.

• What is Alaska Medicaid — TEFRA?

  Alaska Medicaid — TEFRA is a program for children under 19 with disabilities. It lets some children get Medicaid even if their family income is too high. Only the child’s income and resources are counted.

• What is an Alaska ABLE account?

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

• How long does it take to get a disability decision in Alaska?

  On average, it takes about 6 months to get an initial disability decision in Alaska. Most applicants are denied at first, but you can appeal through reconsideration and a hearing.

• What are the income limits for SSI in Alaska?

  For SSI, your income and assets must be low. The asset limit is $2,000 for an individual. For Alaska Medicaid — TEFRA, only the child’s income and resources are counted, not the parents’.