Archived News & Updates

News

• April 9, 2024 - Scam Alert!
  SNAP scams are on the rise in Alaska. Protect your benefits by:

• Changing your card PIN on a regular basis,
• Never giving out your card or PIN number,
• Check the credit card machine at check out for skimming machines by gently tugging on the machine before inserting your card.


If you are a victim of benefit fraud, make a report to your local police department and then contact us. We may be able to replace benefits.

For more information on SNAP and what to do if you are a victim of SNAP fraud visit our SNAP webpage.

• March 13, 2024 - Better Than Email: DPA’s New Secure Document Portal
  
  The Division of Public Assistance (DPA) now has a portal where you can upload documents directly. The secure document upload portal should be used to send DPA all kinds of documents for all Public Assistance programs. It’s a quick way to send proof to DPA staff instantly when they ask for information. The portal takes a variety of file formats and works with different devices and browsers.
  
  We are excited to offer this new user-friendly option for Alaskans who use Public Assistance. Use of the portal is encouraged. More improvements are on the way as we modernize online services and improve customer service.
  

• February 27, 2024 - Visit the DPA Offices in Kenai and Homer!
  Residents of the Kenai and Homer areas can now receive same day service at their local DPA Office:
  

  DPA Kenai Open from Alaska DOH & DFCS on Vimeo.
• February 8, 2024 - Scam Alert!
  SNAP recipients continue to report calls from an 866 number that mimics the Public Assistance automated phone system and asks recipients to dial in their SNAP/EBT number. You should NEVER give out your SNAP/EBT number over the phone to unauthorized parties.
  
  If you receive this call, simply hang up. If you mistakenly provided information, you can contact the EBT HelpDesk using the number on your card. The State of Alaska is using all means available to address this matter with law enforcement agencies.
  
  
• January 31, 2024 - Scam Alert!
  Ignore calls from an 866 number asking for your EBT information. This is not a valid number for the State of Alaska. Please refer to official numbers on your public assistance documents or on our website as needed.
  
  
• January 31, 2024 - Pregnant Women Medicaid Changes
  In a significant step toward enhancing maternal healthcare access, the Alaska Department of Health (DOH) is implementing changes to coverage for “Pregnant Women Medicaid.” The income limit is being increased from 200% of the Federal Poverty Level to 225%, and postpartum coverage is being extended from 60 days after pregnancy to 12 months. For more information about the postpartum extension, see our Postpartum Coverage Extension FAQs.
  
  
• December 28, 2023 - New Online SNAP Application
  An online application for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is now available on the DPA website. This application is optimized for use on any mobile device as well as desktop devices. The online application is a “smart form,” streamlining the process and the amount of time it takes to complete the form by only populating fields that the applicant needs based on their responses. All documents can be uploaded directly using a variety of formats including photos and scanned items. To learn more or to apply, click the green "Apply for SNAP Benefits" box.
  
  
• Division of Public Assistance (DPA) Service Changes – 11/8/23 - 11/12/23
  Starting at noon on Wednesday, November 8, DPA will have limited access its electronic filing system because of scheduled system maintenance. We apologize for any delays that might occur when workers need access to older documents to make decisions, or are checking the status of paperwork received by the division. Staff will make every effort to use other information to minimize the impact on clients. It is not necessary to resubmit paperwork sent before November 8 at noon.
  
  Regular service will resume on Monday, November 13. The division’s eligibility information systems will not be affected by this scheduled maintenance.
  
  
• September 28, 2003 - SNAP Interviews to Resume October 2nd
  During COVID, Alaska was able to work SNAP applications without the required interview. This ends on September 30th, and interviews are starting again for new applicants and recertifications on October 2nd. If your household is due, we will schedule an interview for you when we register your SNAP application or recertification. Reviews for other programs with no SNAP involvement will continue to be processed without requiring an interview.
  
  
• September 13, 2023 - Replacement of Electronically Stolen SNAP Benefits
  The Consolidated Appropriations Act included a temporary provision that allows for the replacement of electronically stolen Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. States will only be able to replace SNAP benefits that were electronically stolen from October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2024. (Read More)
  
  
• June 20, 2023 - Interim Reports for SNAP recipients
  Starting June 1, 2023, the division requires SNAP households to complete and return a report halfway through their certification period to continue eligibility. For more information, see:
  
  • Director’s Letter on Interim SNAP Certification
  • Interim Report: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
    
    
• April 20, 2023 - Public Health Emergency Ending
  The COVID-19 public health emergency is set to expire on May 11, 2023. This means that the flexibilities permitted during the PHE will end, but the end date will vary depending on the type of flexibility approved by CMS. Find out more on the Alaska Department of Health’s Public Health Emergency Ending website.

 

• UAA Project ECHO Pop-Up: Medicaid Renewals
April 4th, Noon-1pm

The Division of Public Assistance (DPA) will host a webinar about the return of annual Medicaid renewals on April 4th from noon to 1 p.m. This will be an excellent opportunity for Medicaid recipients, providers, advocacy groups, Tribal entities and media to learn more about the Medicaid renewal process, engage in two-way conversation, and ask questions about eligibility. The webinar will be hosted by UAA Project ECHO and a recording will be available after the event

 

• February 15, 2023 - Medicaid Renewals
  Alaska will return to the regular pre-pandemic process of Medicaid annual renewals beginning April 1, 2023. When it is your turn for renewal, we will recheck your eligibility to make sure you still qualify for coverage.
  
  
• January 11, 2023 – Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
  SNAP requires most households receiving benefits to demonstrate that they continue to meet program eligibility criteria every six months. This process is called recertification. As part of the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the requirement for recertification was suspended. In July 2022, this requirement was reinstated, and DPA must request that SNAP households provide documentation to review eligibility. To better address questions the public may have about processing these recertifications, DPA has compiled some answers to these Frequently Asked Questions.
   
• January 11, 2023 - SNAP recertification application timelines:
  
  • Filed on or before the 15th of the last month of the current certification period, uninterrupted SNAP benefits.
  • Filed after the 15th but before the end of the certification period, within 30 days.
  • Applications filed during the month following the expiration of the certification period are considered initial applications and follow timeframes for regular and expedited SNAP applications.
  We will continue to improve our systems and processes to give Alaskans the fastest possible service.
  
  
• October 20 - For Posting:Informational Flyer for SNAP Recipients and Retailers in Southwest Disaster Areas
  Now through Nov. 4, SNAP recipients living in disaster areas caused by Typhoon Merbok can use their Quest Card for “hot” and prepared foods.
  
  
• October 17 - Hot Foods for SNAP recipients in Southwest Disaster Areas: See our announcement about Special Disaster Rules for Accepting SNAP EBT Benefits for Hot Foods Purchases for details on how to use SNAP benefits, and a list of retailers who can participate (but are not required to do so.)
  
  
• October 3, 2022 - Language Interpretation Services
  Did you know that DPA offers no-cost language interpretation services for people when they interact with the department? Callers can reach the division’s Virtual Contact Center in their preferred language, by using the numbers provided for commonly spoken languages that are listed on our Foreign Language Support page.
  
  
• October 3, 2022 - Tips when calling the VCC
  Timelines for service – What you can expect
  
  • MAGI Medicaid ~ 45 days
  • Disability-based Medicaid ~ 90 days
  • All other programs ~ 30 days
  • SNAP expedited service ~ 7 days
  • Heating Assistance and General Relief Assistance ~ Emergency based
  We will continue to improve our systems and processes to give Alaskans the fastest possible service. Please use these tips for contacting our VCC to address any questions you may have.
  
  
• September 13, 2022: The Virtual Contact Center (VCC) is limiting options for callers on Wednesdays. Read more about our newWednesday Service Schedule to know what to expect and how to find the right queue.
  
  
• July 1, 2022:  Don’t risk a gap in your Medicaid coverage!
  No one knows yet when the Public Health Emergency will end, but the Division of Public Assistance wants you to be aware of these upcoming changes so you can be prepared and prevent any disruption of benefits.
• Letter to Medicaid Recipients
• Update your Contact Information flyer (Please share!)
  
  
• June 30, 2022: Director’s letter about changes to supplements for SNAP recipients
  
  
• June 24, 2022 Director's message regarding 2022 WIC service changes
  
  
• May 13, 2022: Director’s letter about supplements for Temporary Assistance recipients
  
  
• May 12, 2022:Director’s letter about supplements for Heating Assistance recipients 
  
  
• February 18, 2022:  Voluntary recall for certain powder formulas, including Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare
  The FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners are investigating four consumer complaints of infant illness related to products from Abbott Nutrition’s Sturgis, MI facility received from 9/20/2021 to 1/11/2022. These formulas may be contaminated with Cronobacter sakazakii which is a bacterium. Illness from this organism is rare, but infection can cause meningitis and septicemia in infants. The infection can be fatal or result in long-term complications.
  
  For more information, view the alerts from the federal Food and Drug Administration and press release from Abbott Formulas.
  
  On February 18, 2022, Abbott issued a voluntary recall for certain powder formulas, including Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare. DO NOT feed your baby formula if it is included in this recall. Abbott recommends that parents dump the formula but keep the cans. Further information for reimbursement or replacement is anticipated from Abbott.
  
  Affected products can be identified by:
  
  • the first two digits of the code on the container are 22 through 37, and
  • the code on the container contains K8, SH, or Z2, and
  • the "use-by" date is 4-1-2022 (APR 2022) or later.
Visit www.similacrecall.com or call 800-986-8540 to find out if your formula is included.

Affected powder formulas (only produced in Sturgis, MI):

• 12.6 oz Total Comfort powder
• 12.5 oz Similac for Spit Up powder
• All EleCare powder Infant and Jr
• All Alimentum powder
Partially Affected powder formula (produced in Sturgis, MI as well as other plants)

• 12.5 oz Similac Sensitive powder
• 12.4 oz Similac Advance powder
Not Affected (not produced at Sturgis, MI plant)

• Isomil
• NeoSure
• All concentrated liquids and ready to feeds
  
  
• January 13, 2022: Phishing Alert!
  Please be aware that the Division of Public Assistance does not send text messages. Be suspicious of any texts you receive about SNAP or other Public Assistance programs.
  
  
• December 20, 2021:
  One Fax Number for All Division of Public Assistance Offices
  As part of the division’s ongoing effort to improve statewide services we are moving toward a single fax number for all offices beginning January 2022. The division will phase out local office numbers as the statewide number becomes active. The new toll-free fax number is 888-269-6520, and Anchorage area residents can dial 907-269-6520. Please update your contact information for our agency as appropriate.
  
  We’re modernizing our systems to become more efficient and responsive. The new fax number will interface with the division’s workload processing tool, which schedules tasks for staff statewide as they become available. This will also interface with the division’s Virtual Contact Center, which allows staff members to instantly access client information when people call.
  
  Reminder to Update Mailing Addresses
  During the pandemic the division has been improving ways to assist Alaskans in need. Even though we’re moving toward a more centralized, electronic service delivery model, we still require a current mailing address for participation in our programs. For this reason, people who use our services are encouraged to update their mailing address if needed to assist in the smooth delivery of services. You can drop off or mail information to any local office, or use the centralized phone, email or fax at:  
  
  Virtual Contact Center: 800-478-7778
  (TDD/Alaska Relay: 7-1-1)
  Offices Email: HSS.DPA.Offices@alaska.gov
  Secure Email (requires a DSM account): dpa.offices@hss.soa.directak.net
  Fax: 888-269-6520, Anchorage 907-269-6520
  
  Equal opportunity program and provider.
  
  
• November 12, 2021:
  Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Emergency Allotments
  The division received approval from the federal Food and Nutrition Service to distribute October and November emergency allotments (EA) for SNAP recipients. Approval of SNAP EA is based on a public health emergency declaration by the secretary of Health and Human Services and a state-issued emergency or disaster declaration. EA helps households meet temporary food needs during the public health emergency by providing the maximum monthly benefit for their household size and allows all households to receive at least $95 monthly in EA.
  
  The division will process October and November benefits for eligible households during November. Due to the complexity and manual work involved in processing EA, it is likely that benefits will not be fully processed for these months until December.
  
  SNAP recipients can contact our Virtual Contact Center at 1-800-478-7778 with any questions about the EA or status of their case.
  
  
• Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) Update
  Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) is part of the U.S. government response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020 (PL 116–127), as amended by the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act (PL 116-159), provides the Secretary of Agriculture authority to approve state agency plans to administer P-EBT.
  
  Through P-EBT, eligible school children receive temporary emergency nutrition benefits loaded on EBT cards that are used to purchase food. Children who would have received free or reduced price meals under the National School Lunch Act if their schools were not closed or operating with reduced hours or attendance for at least 5 consecutive days are eligible to receive P-EBT benefits.
  
  The division is working as quickly as possible to issue the Pandemic-Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) supplements for the recent school year. The division is coordinating with the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development to implement Food and Nutrition Service guidance. Applications and information will be available to serve recipients and school districts. Please continue checking our website for updates. Thank you for your patience.


• July 28, 2021: Long Term Care now available through the Virtual Contact Center (VCC)
  
  Long Term Care callers can now use the Virtual Contact Center line 1-800-478-7778 to connect with a caseworker.

When calling the VCC callers will be able to:
1. enter their assigned caseworker’s extension to transfer directly, or
2. wait for a staff member to transfer to the caseworker or a Long Term Care supervisor if there is no assigned caseworker
• June 17, 2021: Receiving an error when you swipe your P-EBT card? Call 888-997-8111 or 800-478-7778 or Email us at HSS.DPA.Offices@alaska.gov.
  
  The latest mailing of Pandemic-Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) cards to families included cards with unreadable magnetic stripes. Although families can access benefits if the retailer uses information on the card, it will be easier to use the card by swiping the card. Families can contact customer service using information on the back of the card, or contact our Virtual Contact Center or email our offices to request a replacement card. We apologize for this inconvenience. For more information P-EBT, please see our frequently asked questions page.
  
  
• May 17, 2021 - Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer Issuance of Spring 2020 Benefits – FAQs
  
  
• Heating Assistance
  The division is processing Heating Assistance applications statewide. People who want to apply can contact our Virtual Contact Center at 800-478-7778 or email hss.dpa.offices@alaska.gov for help. Once an application is received, the division will send notice. The notice includes an ID number and contact information for our automated hotline to check the status of an application.
  
  
• April 3, 2020 - Social distancing options when paying for groceries with SNAP benefits during COVID-19
  Until recently federal regulation barred SNAP EBT from being used as a method of online payment for SNAP eligible items.  Currently the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is running a pilot with a small number of states and vendors testing acceptance of online EBT payments, however participation in the pilot is very limited at this time.
  
  Although Alaska vendors are not currently able to accept SNAP EBT as a method of online payment, there are several options that would allow for a retailer to continue to get food to its SNAP clients in light of the social distancing recommendations related to COVID-19. These include:
  
  • SNAP client placing their order online or over the phone and picking it up at the store. If the store has a wireless POS the customer would be able to complete the transaction without having to leave their car.
  • SNAP client placing their order online or over the phone and having the order delivered to their designated delivery address. The transaction can be completed using a wireless POS.
  • SNAP client placing their order online or over the phone and designating a person to pick the order at the store using the clients EBT card. The transaction can be completed, using the SNAP clients EBT card, in the store or by using a mobile POS device outside of the store.
  Vendors are encouraged to reach out to their retailer association or FNS with any COVID-19 processing questions.  Additional information can be found on the FNS website at: FNS COVID-19 response website (updated link) and SNAP Retailer Service Center.
  
  
• April 2, 2021 - Virtual Contact Center is Live
  Our Virtual Contact Center (VCC) is accepting calls at 800-478-7778. This line supports all requests for all offices except Long Term Care.
  
  
• March 4, 2021 - Change in Anchorages Office Locations
  
  
• March 18, 2020 - Public Assistance recipients should be aware of several changes resulting from the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, including:
  
  • Medicaid benefits have been enhanced and extended
  • No-work requirements for SNAP (formerly Food Stamps) have been suspended
  • Automatic six month extension for all Public Assistance programs
  For more information, please see DPA Director Shawnda O’Brien’s letter to DPA recipients.
  
  

• Benefit Verifications

  To verify Alaska program participation, the preferred contact method is to send requests via email to verifications@alaska.gov. If necessary, a fax can be sent to 907-269-3099. Please include agency contact information in case we have a question about your request. Each request must include the client’s full name, date of birth, SSN or last 4 of the SSN, current mailing address, a list of all household members that are applying for assistance, and a brief description of what verification is needed. If the names of all household members are not included, the response may not be completely accurate. A signed release from the program participant is normally required for the Division of Public Assistance to release this information. Questions about a verification request can be directed to 907-269-7880.
  
  
• December 11, 2019: At the direction of Governor Mike Dunleavy, the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services’ Division of Public Assistance (DPA) is developing a plan for individuals who receive cash payments from the Adult Public Assistance (APA) program and we are working closely with the Social Security Administration in order to implement this change on an expedited basis. If any cases are not able to be worked prior to January 1, a supplemental benefit will be issued to individuals in January.
  
  Some recipients of the APA program may have recently received a letter in the mail about upcoming changes to the program including a reduction in benefits. Because of recent efforts to restore funding those individual case letters can be ignored and new letters will be sent out to individuals.
  
  If you have questions after you receive this case specific notice, contact your local public assistance office.
  
  
• January 23, 2019 -Notification Letter of Information Compromised
  This notice was sent to residents at addresses that have been or still are a participant of the Department of Health & Social Services, Division of Public Assistance programs. It notified individuals on April 26, 2018, it was discovered that information contained in the DPA’s eligibility database may have been breached. The notice provided things individuals can do to minimize their risk.
  
  
• June 28, 2018 - HIPAA and APIPA Breach Notification
  ANCHORAGE – The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) had a security breach which may have disclosed personal information of individuals who have interacted with Division of Public Assistance (DPA) in the Northern region. Due to the potential for stolen personal information, DHSS urges Alaskans who have been involved with the DPA Northern region offices to take actions to protect themselves from identity theft. (more)