Alaska Launches Mobile Benefits App in State With Spotty Rural Internet

The Alaska Department of Health announced May 20 that Alaskans can now apply for multiple public assistance programs from their phones through a new mobile-friendly online application.

The Application for Services, available through the Alaska Connect Portal, uses a smart form that tailors questions based on which programs an applicant selects. Alaskans can apply for MAGI Medicaid, Medicaid for aged, blind and disabled residents, SNAP, Adult Public Assistance, Alaska Temporary Assistance Program, Senior Benefits, Long-Term Care and General Relief Assistance. Users can upload supporting documents directly through the application, including pay stubs, identification, birth certificates and utility expense documentation.

Commissioner Heidi Hedberg said the launch reflects the department's effort to modernize how Alaskans connect with public assistance services. "Over the past several years, the Division of Public Assistance has continued to meet key modernization milestones focused on improving secure access, streamlining processes, and creating a more user-friendly experience," Hedberg said. "This new online smart form is another important step toward building a modern, reliable system that better serves Alaska's families, seniors, and vulnerable populations."

The new application replaces the previous paper form and SNAP-only online application. Paper applications remain available for those who prefer that option. After submitting an application, users may choose to receive confirmation by text message or email that includes the date and time their application was received.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture have approved the online Application for Services, ensuring the application meets federal requirements for the programs it supports.

Alaskans who do not have access to a mobile device or prefer in-person assistance can still apply by calling the Division of Public Assistance at 1-800-478-7778 or visiting a local office. The division's regional offices provide full services Monday through Thursday and offer limited clerical service on Friday. Office hours run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with interviews closed off at 3 p.m. daily. Services are also available through the division's virtual contact center.

Alaska has struggled for years to expand broadband into isolated communities. The Alaska House voted 33 to 6 on March 17, 2025, to request that Congress preserve the federal Universal Service Fund, which subsidizes phone and internet service in rural America. The state created the Rural Alaska Broadband Internet Access Grant Program to expand broadband into communities without local dial-up or broadband service and to keep rates affordable for at least two years after completion of projects.

The Alaska Connect client portal facilitates interaction with the Division of Public Assistance. Users can sign up for Alaska Connect through myAlaska or use an existing myAlaska account. The portal allows users to apply for public assistance, renew benefits, report changes and upload documents.