A dozen Alaskans gathered outside the Division of Public Assistance office in Anchorage at 7:30 a.m., waiting for help that was over an hour away. Wrapped in coats under dreary skies, they stood anxiously, hoping for assistance that many regarded as their last chance to avoid homelessness.
Among them was Savannah Lee, who shared that her conditions, including agoraphobia, made waiting in line particularly stressful. She stated, “I’ve been trying to get assistance forever,” pointing to the growing line of people, some with infants and others who were older and needed to sit. Lee, a single mother to an 18-month-old daughter, mentioned that the help from the Division of Public Assistance was her only hope.
Lee explained the frustrations she faced in attempting to obtain assistance, saying, “(Division staff) said that they could put our application in, but it could be weeks. If we wanted to get our case worked the same day, we needed to show up here hours before they open and wait in line.” With homelessness looming in just seven days, her urgency was palpable.
Thousands of Alaskans rely on the Division of Public Assistance for crucial benefits like Medicaid and SNAP, formerly known as food stamps. A staggering one in three Alaskans depend on Medicaid, and one in eleven benefit from SNAP to help cover monthly food costs.
Over the past few years, the Division of Public Assistance has grappled with the challenges of complying with state and federal laws governing the various programs it administers. A recent report indicated that less than half of the SNAP applications processed between November and April met federally mandated timelines; expedited applications should be processed within seven days, and other applications within thirty. By May, over 1,300 individuals had been waiting for five months or longer for their cases to be addressed.
As Congress toys with new work requirements for Medicaid and SNAP, there is concern that such policies could exacerbate the existing backlog. The same agency mired in delays would be left to oversee these new requirements, further straining their already limited resources.
Saima Akhtar, a senior attorney with the National Center for Law and Economic Justice, voiced concerns regarding the heavy administrative burden presented by expanded work requirements. “It’s a huge amount of additional documentation and verification in order to determine who is eligible,” she stated. Akhtar emphasized that added requirements could lead to an increase in the number of staff needed to manage the additional workload effectively.
Efforts to improve the situation have been acknowledged, with a spokesperson for the Department of Health admitting the challenges posed by the high volume of visitors at the Anchorage division office. Alex Huseman, the spokesperson, stated, “We share the public’s concern and are actively working on multiple fronts to improve the experience for applicants.”
The Anchorage office reopened in January after a prolonged closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and officials have found themselves facing severe hiring and retention challenges. Under Governor Mike Dunleavy, significant staff cuts, amounting to over 100 positions, were enacted in 2021 following the decreased workload from the lifting of federal regulations related to the pandemic. However, as demand surged again, the department’s staffing numbers remain about 25% lower than they were five years ago.
Akhtar pointed out that, unlike other states, Alaska has not managed to resolve its persistent SNAP backlogs. “There are other states that have faced similar issues but have been able to address the underlying causes once made aware,” she explained. Unfortunately, the reoccurrence of backlogs in Alaska since 2022 has left many without sufficient assistance.
Huseman stated that priority at the Anchorage office is given to clients who are homeless, elderly, disabled, or facing serious medical issues. The intent is to assist those in most need as quickly and respectfully as possible. However, many, like Lee, still find themselves waiting hours for a case worker to determine their eligibility for assistance.
In-person services are available in select Alaskan cities, but rural residents have limited options. Many must submit paperwork through mail or online, a situation that’s often challenging for those living in remote locations. Shannon Nanalook, residing in Togiak, shared her struggles, stating, “Watching food grow would be faster,” as she waits for her SNAP application renewal, which has been stalled since April.
Nanalook noted that SNAP has been crucial since her second child’s birth and that years of renewal difficulties often leave her without necessary funds. Her attempts to navigate the renewal process have led to persistent frustrations, punctuated by hours-long waits on phone calls with the division.
When asked about the potential for new federal work requirements complicating an already cumbersome process, Nanalook responded, “Making it harder to apply isn’t going to fix nothing.”
Pending changes to Medicaid and SNAP have raised eyebrows among health experts and lawmakers, who caution that imposing work requirements could hinder thousands of Alaskans from receiving vital assistance, disproportionately affecting those already facing hardships.
Representative Zack Fields articulated concerns over the feasibility of implementing such work requirements, emphasizing that it would place additional burdens on a division that already experiences significant challenges, including high error rates.
Republican lawmakers in Congress are also considering cuts to Medicaid and SNAP spending, intended to help finance tax cuts proposed by President Donald Trump. The budget reconciliation bill currently being reviewed may result in millions losing their health insurance across the nation and could transfer some SNAP costs from the federal government to the state level—putting Alaska in a precarious position.
Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan have expressed concerns over potential funding cuts to these assistance programs and have indicated the importance of addressing Alaska-specific needs. Both have been noted as open to work requirements, though with the understanding that states should have discretion in their implementation.
At the heart of the issue are individuals like Leo Gant, a 69-year-old man relying on Medicaid for essential medications. Gant, leaning heavily on a cane while waiting, lamented the singular Anchorage office and the strain it places on applicants.
His previous experiences with SNAP benefits have led him to abandon the arduous application process in favor of risking his health access, a choice many in similar positions are forced to make. “They don’t pay enough to mess with coming here and getting it renewed,” he expressed, highlighting a systemic issue within the division.
As wait times and backlogs continue to rise, how this all unfolds remains to be seen. Both applicants and advocacy groups are calling for meaningful change and systemic reform to address the challenges faced by Alaskans who are simply seeking the support they need to survive.
image source from：https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/2025/06/07/nothing-you-can-do-except-stand-here-public-assistance-office-keeps-alaskans-waiting/
