While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the LIHEAP program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as Food Stamps, helps eligible low-income individuals and families buy the food they need to stay healthy in the form of monthly benefits.
SNAP uses Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards to distribute the benefits.
The Alaska SNAP food assistance program is administered by the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services. Learn more about SNAP on the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services website here.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, SNAP benefits can be used to purchase approved food items. These include:
See a more comprehensive list of what you can buy with SNAP benefits here and a list of approved snacks and meal supplements here.
There are also food items that cannot be purchased with SNAP benefits, including alcoholic beverages and hot prepared food. See a comprehensive list of what you cannot buy with SNAP benefits here.
SNAP provides monthly benefits, known as an allotment, to eligible households. The allotment amount you can receive is based on 1) the number of people in your household and 2) your household income.
To calculate your allotment amount, multiply your household’s net income by 0.3 and then subtract that number from the federal maximum monthly benefit amount in the table below.
| Household Number | Federal Maximum Allotment Per Month | Alaska’s Maximum Allotment Per Month: Urban | Alaska’s Maximum Allotment Per Month: Rural 1 | Alaska’s Maximum Allotment Per Month: Rural 2 |
| 1 | $291 | $374 | $477 | $581 |
| 2 | $535 | $686 | $875 | $1,065 |
| 3 | $766 | $983 | $1,253 | $1,525 |
| 4 | $973 | $1,248 | $1,591 | $1,937 |
| 5 | $1,155 | $1,482 | $1,890 | $2,300 |
| 6 | $1,386 | $1,778 | $2,268 | $2,760 |
| 7 | $1,532 | $1,966 | $2,506 | $3,051 |
| 8 | $1,751 | $2,246 | $2,865 | $3,487 |
| Each additional household member | +219 | +281 | +358 | +436 |
You have one year (365 days) to use your allotment or the benefits on your EBT card will be canceled.
To learn more about your benefit amount in Alaska, click here.
To qualify for SNAP in Alaska, you must meet the following requirements:
Learn more about Alaska’s income limits here and other eligibility criteria here.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Alaska Food Stamps program, helps families buy the food they need to stay healthy. If you are in need of food assistance and wish to apply to SNAP, complete the following three steps:
Learn about the income limits and personal eligibility requirements to receive SNAP benefits here.
Find a list of what you need to apply on the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services website here. You can also view a copy of the application here to see what information is required.
To apply for SNAP by mail or by fax, complete the Application for Services here and send it to your local Public Assistance Office. Find the nearest Alaska Public Assistance Office’s contact information here.
To apply for SNAP in person, click here to find the nearest Alaska Public Assistance Office location. You can also call 1 (800) 221-5689 if you need help finding your local office.
If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, contact the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services at 1 (907) 465-3347.
Depending on your method of application, you can check your application status in the following ways:
After you have submitted your application by mail or by fax to your county Public Assistance Office, you will need to complete an interview. The interview may be face-to-face or by telephone.
If you applied for SNAP by mail or by fax, you will receive a notice in the mail from the Department of Health and Social Services with your determination and benefit amount. If documents are missing from your application, or the Department of Health and Social Services needs more information from you to finish processing your request, you will need to wait for your determination and EBT card to come in the mail.
If you applied in person at a local Public Assistance Office, you will receive your determination on the same day so long as you provide all the required information and documentation and complete page 7 of the application.
If you are approved, you will then receive your EBT card in the mail within 30 days of your determination letter unless you are eligible for expedited services, which give you benefits within only 7 days. You may be eligible for expedited food assistance if:
Once you receive your EBT card, you can use it to purchase items that are approved by SNAP at groceries and retail stores that accept EBT transactions. Learn about what you can purchase with SNAP here.
SNAP benefits are replenished each month that you are a member of the program. To check the balance of your EBT card, call the number on the back of your card or 1 (888) 997-8111. You can also check your balance online here.
If you do not agree with the benefit decision given to you by the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, you can appeal your decision in person, by phone or by mail within 90 days of receiving your determination letter.
To file an appeal in person, visit your local Public Assistance Office. You will need to speak with a representative and tell them why you are appealing your determination. You will also need to bring your benefit determination letter and evidence that supports your appeal. Find your nearest location here.
To file a claim by phone, call 1 (907) 465-3347 or your local Public Assistance Office. Find your contact information here.
To file a claim by mail, you will need to fill out the Eligibility Review Form here. You must also enclose a copy of your determination letter when filing an appeal by mail and send it along with the Eligibility Review Form to your local Public Assistance Office. Find your contact information here.
For more information on the appeal process, read page 3 of the Application for Services here.
You can check the balance of your EBT card by calling the number on the back of your card or 1 (888) 997-8111. You can also check your balance online here.
Learn more information about EBT cards and how to use your benefits on the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services EBT card page here.
If you have not received your EBT card within 7 days of receiving your approval notice, call 1 (907) 465-3347 or your local Public Assistance Office. Find your contact information here.
If you have lost your EBT card and require a replacement, call Alaska’s EBT customer service number at 1 (888) 997-8111.
For more answers to common questions related to EBT cards, click here.
For help with obtaining SNAP benefits, or for any further questions about your application, call the Alaska SNAP benefit line at 1 (888) 997-8111 or the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services at 1 (800) 478-2221.
To send the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services information physically, you can fax your documents or questions to your nearest Alaska Public Assistance Office for further assistance. Find your nearest location here.
Offices and services are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Food Stamps program and compiled a guide and these answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Our free Food Stamps Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, requirements for program eligibility, and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view our free guide here.
Last Updated: February 2, 2024
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Alaska Food Stamps program, helps families buy the food they need to stay healthy. If you are in need of food assistance and wish to apply to SNAP, complete the following three steps:
Learn about the income limits and personal eligibility requirements to receive SNAP benefits here.
Find a list of what you need to apply on the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services website here. You can also view a copy of the application here to see what information is required.
To apply for SNAP by mail or by fax, complete the Application for Services here and send it to your local Public Assistance Office. Find the nearest Alaska Public Assistance Office’s contact information here.
To apply for SNAP in person, click here to find the nearest Alaska Public Assistance Office location. You can also call 1 (800) 221-5689 if you need help finding your local office.
If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, contact the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services at 1 (907) 465-3347.
Depending on your method of application, you can check your application status in the following ways:
After you have submitted your application by mail or by fax to your county Public Assistance Office, you will need to complete an interview. The interview may be face-to-face or by telephone.
If you applied for SNAP by mail or by fax, you will receive a notice in the mail from the Department of Health and Social Services with your determination and benefit amount. If documents are missing from your application, or the Department of Health and Social Services needs more information from you to finish processing your request, you will need to wait for your determination and EBT card to come in the mail.
If you applied in person at a local Public Assistance Office, you will receive your determination on the same day so long as you provide all the required information and documentation and complete page 7 of the application.
If you are approved, you will then receive your EBT card in the mail within 30 days of your determination letter unless you are eligible for expedited services, which give you benefits within only 7 days. You may be eligible for expedited food assistance if:
Once you receive your EBT card, you can use it to purchase items that are approved by SNAP at groceries and retail stores that accept EBT transactions. Learn about what you can purchase with SNAP here.
SNAP benefits are replenished each month that you are a member of the program. To check the balance of your EBT card, call the number on the back of your card or 1 (888) 997-8111. You can also check your balance online here.
If you do not agree with the benefit decision given to you by the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, you can appeal your decision in person, by phone or by mail within 90 days of receiving your determination letter.
To file an appeal in person, visit your local Public Assistance Office. You will need to speak with a representative and tell them why you are appealing your determination. You will also need to bring your benefit determination letter and evidence that supports your appeal. Find your nearest location here.
To file a claim by phone, call 1 (907) 465-3347 or your local Public Assistance Office. Find your contact information here.
To file a claim by mail, you will need to fill out the Eligibility Review Form here. You must also enclose a copy of your determination letter when filing an appeal by mail and send it along with the Eligibility Review Form to your local Public Assistance Office. Find your contact information here.
For more information on the appeal process, read page 3 of the Application for Services here.
You can check the balance of your EBT card by calling the number on the back of your card or 1 (888) 997-8111. You can also check your balance online here.
Learn more information about EBT cards and how to use your benefits on the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services EBT card page here.
If you have not received your EBT card within 7 days of receiving your approval notice, call 1 (907) 465-3347 or your local Public Assistance Office. Find your contact information here.
If you have lost your EBT card and require a replacement, call Alaska’s EBT customer service number at 1 (888) 997-8111.
For more answers to common questions related to EBT cards, click here.
For help with obtaining SNAP benefits, or for any further questions about your application, call the Alaska SNAP benefit line at 1 (888) 997-8111 or the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services at 1 (800) 478-2221.
To send the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services information physically, you can fax your documents or questions to your nearest Alaska Public Assistance Office for further assistance. Find your nearest location here.
Offices and services are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Food Stamps program and compiled a guide and these answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Our free Food Stamps Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, requirements for program eligibility, and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view our free guide here.
Last Updated: February 2, 2024