Help for Alaskans
The American Rescue Plan Act was first passed on March 11, 2021. This unprecedented distribution of funds was intended to address the personal and economic impacts of the pandemic. On May 11, 2023, President Biden issued notice of the end of the “Public Health Emergency and National Emergency declarations for COVID-19” which significantly impacts some Federal funding programs.
Many Alaskans have benefited directly from ARPA relief. Although many Federal programs which were created because of the pandemic through ARPA or received funding from ARPA have begun to phase out, some programs which benefit individuals and families are still active.
Local agencies also continue to distribute funds through grants and direct program implementation. The National Conference of State Legislatures, a nonpartisan umbrella organization who has been tracking distribution data, provides information about where funds have been distributed in Alaska.
The following ARPA related programs are continuing or active:
- Contact the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation for questions about Homeowner Assistance Relief.
- Affordable Connectivity Program provides assistance on Broadband Services and discounts on hardware. Many Alaskans are eligible for $75/month support on their internet bill, especially in rural parts of the state.
- Child Tax Credit eligibility assistant
- Funeral Assistance due to COVID-19
- Energy Efficiency Tax Credits & Rebates
In 2022, Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act. The Act aims to distribute funds which address national deficit reduction, energy security, and climate change. While information about how to access these funds and how they will be distributed continues to emerge, individuals may have access to them as early as this year, 2023. Some of the anticipated programs may include tax credits or rebates for home energy improvement, electric vehicles, and solarization projects.
One program included in the Inflation Reduction Act funds a number of programs to help individual American families reduce their carbon footprint and save money with clean energy technologies.
More information will be shared here as it emerges.