Alaska2026Passed Legislature

HB22

Alaska General Relief and Burial Assistance Changes

Last scannedSep 20, 2026, 12:32 AM

In one sentence

This law allows people who lose federal medical or cash aid because of Alaska Permanent Fund dividends or longevity bonuses to get state-funded help for up to four months.

Allows individuals denied Medicaid solely due to receiving a permanent fund dividend to qualify for state general relief and burial assistance instead.
Provides cash assistance under the general relief program to those denied other public aid because their household received a permanent fund dividend counted as income or resources.
Extends eligibility so people who lose benefits because of longevity bonuses can receive the same amount they would have gotten without the bonus.
Limits these special state-funded payments to a maximum period of four months per individual.
Updates the definition of assistance in general relief programs to include specific needs like transportation, medical care, assisted living expenses, and funeral costs.
Gives department officials power to issue subpoenas for records during investigations into public assistance cases.

The special aid is only available if the denial of federal or other benefits was caused solely by receiving a dividend or longevity bonus.
Recipients cannot receive this specific type of state-funded help for more than four months at one time.
The law does not specify how much money an individual will actually receive, only that it matches what they would have gotten under federal programs.

Plain language

General Relief and Burial Assistance: A state-funded program that provides money or services to needy people for food, shelter, medical needs, funeral costs, and other determined needs.
Permanent Fund Dividend: An annual cash payment sent by the State of Alaska to its residents from oil revenue investments.
Longevity Bonus: A bonus payment given under state law that can affect eligibility for other public assistance programs.

Official record

Validated

GENERAL RELIEF & BURIAL ASSISTANCE An Act relating to general relief and burial assistance; and providing for an effective date.

Official activity