May 18, 2007
Friday

The SeniorCare program, which provides monthly cash payments and help with prescription drug costs to approximately 7,000 low-income Alaska seniors, will end on June 30, 2007. The program was scheduled to sunset at the end of fiscal year 2007, and legislation to extend the program was defeated in the last few hours of the legislative session.

"The Department of Health and Social Services is working to assist seniors impacted by this change to identify all other options available to meet their needs," Commissioner Karleen Jackson said. "We are dedicated to promoting and protecting the health and well being of Alaskans, including our seniors."

There are several different programs to assist seniors - each with its own eligibility criteria. Seniors will need to be assessed on an individual, case-by-case basis to determine which services they can access.

Seniors are encouraged to call the Senior Information hotline at 1-800-478-6065 statewide or 269-3680 in Anchorage. The hotline staff can provide seniors with referrals to available state programs, senior centers and other community resources.

The SeniorCare program was created in 2003 to help low-income Alaska seniors with monthly cash payments. It was expanded in 2005 to help cover prescription drug costs.

There has been some confusion between Senior Care of Alaska, Inc. and the State of Alaska's SeniorCare program. Senior Care of Alaska, Inc. is not affiliated with the State of Alaska and will continue to operate after the State of Alaska SeniorCare program sunsets on June 30, 2007.

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Ketchikan, Alaska