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Interim Assistance: Frequently Asked Questions
by: Alaska Legal Services Corporation
Q.	What is Interim Assistance?

A.	Interim Assistance is a state program paying up to $280 per month to people who are waiting for final decisions about whether they’re disabled.

Q.	Who distributes Interim Assistance?

A.	The State Division of Public Assistance distributes Interim Assistance.

Q.	Do I have to be disabled to get Interim Assistance?

A.	Yes. The State makes a decision about whether you’re disabled based on a statement submitted by your doctor. So even if Social Security says you’re not disabled, or hasn’t made a decision yet, you may still be able to get Interim Assistance based on your doctor’s statement as long as Social Security hasn’t made a decision against you at its highest level.

Q.	If I lose my disability case, do I have to pay back the Interim Assistance?

A.	No. You only have to pay back Interim Assistance back if you WIN your disability case. The State takes its Interim Assistance back by deducting it from the back SSI payments you would otherwise get.

Q.	Are there limits on the income and resources I can have and still get Interim Assistance?

A.	Yes. Interim Assistance uses the SSI resources rules to limit income and resources, and if you have more than $280 in countable income you won’t get Interim Assistance at all.

Q.	Will I receive medical coverage along with my Interim Assistance?

A.	No, but if you ultimately win your SSI or Adult Public Assistance case, you can get Medicaid back to the month of your application (or up to three months earlier, if you would have been eligible had you applied earlier).

Q.	If I get Interim Assistance and ultimately win my SSI case, will I get Adult Public Assistance back to the date of my SSI application?

A.	Possibly. State policy manuals say no, but a court case called Abbott v. Division of Public Assistance says yes. For more information on the Abbott case, contact any Alaska Legal Services office.


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	Last Reviewed On: 07/16/03

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