Bill Overview
Title: To amend the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to exclude certain payments to aged, blind, or disabled Alaska Natives or descendants of Alaska Natives from being used to determine eligibility for certain programs, and for other purposes.
Description: This bill excludes certain settlement trust payments to an Alaska Native or descendant of an Alaska Native who is aged, blind, or disabled for purposes of determining the individual's eligibility for need-based federal programs (e.g., the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program).
Sponsors: Rep. Peltola, Mary Sattler [D-AK-At Large]
Target Audience
Population: Aged, blind, or disabled Alaska Natives or descendants of Alaska Natives
Estimated Size: 7000
- The bill amends the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, which is specific to Alaska Natives and their descendants.
- The primary target population includes aged, blind, or disabled Alaska Natives or descendants of Alaska Natives.
- The legislation specifically mentions exclusions from need-based federal programs, which implies a focus on low-income individuals.
- According to data, there are approximately 140,000 Alaska Natives, not all of whom will be aged, blind, or disabled.
- Considering the U.S. demographic data, a significant portion of any population can be children (under 18) or younger adults not yet classified as aged.
- Not all aged, blind, or disabled individuals within this population will receive or be eligible for financial benefits from settlement trusts mentioned in the amendment, further limiting the direct target population.
- Federal programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) have specific criteria, limiting this to individuals who qualify for such programs in addition to meeting the age, blindness, or disability status requirements.
Reasoning
- The target population for this policy is very specific, focusing on Alaska Natives who are aged, blind, or disabled, and who might benefit from settlement trust payments. Such payments should not affect their eligibility for federal need-based programs like SNAP due to this bill.
- The size of the target population is estimated to be around 7,000 individuals, a small subset of the Alaska Native demographic.
- Given the budget of $14 million in the first year and $140 million over ten years, adequate support could be provided to offset any negative impact on their eligibility for federal programs, maintaining or even improving their wellbeing.
- Those not directly affected by the policy (e.g., non-eligible Alaska Natives or those who don't rely on need-based programs) will have no change in wellbeing.
- Most individuals in the simulated interviews reflect varying impacts; some see a direct positive outcome due to their reliance on such need-based programs, while others not utilizing these programs feel no change.
Simulated Interviews
Retired (Anchorage, Alaska)
Age: 68 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy gives me peace of mind that my trust payments won't affect my SNAP benefits. It's a relief because every dollar counts on a fixed income.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Artist (Fairbanks, Alaska)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is reassuring because it means I won't lose my eligibility for Medicaid. It's crucial for my healthcare.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Elder (Juneau, Alaska)
Age: 72 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's a good move. Now I don't have to worry about losing my SNAP benefits because of my trust funds.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Unemployed (Nome, Alaska)
Age: 34 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While it's aimed at helping people like me, I don't currently get any payments from a trust, so this won't change my situation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
Community Elder (Barrow, Alaska)
Age: 58 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy doesn't directly impact me since I don't receive trust payments.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Retired Teacher (Bethel, Alaska)
Age: 64 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This gives me breathing room financially. I was concerned my settlement payments might cause issues with my SNAP.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Fisherman (Kodiak, Alaska)
Age: 53 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I won't feel the impact now, but this policy is a good assurance as I grow older.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Elder (Juneau, Alaska)
Age: 85 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I’m happy because now, I won't have to worry about my healthcare benefits being affected by the funds I get.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Craftsman (Sitka, Alaska)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This will remove a significant worry from my daily life. Thank you!
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Homemaker (Anchorage, Alaska)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy ensures my settlement payments don't jeopardize my benefits, which is a huge relief.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $14000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 2: $14000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 3: $14000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 5: $14000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 10: $14000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 100: $14000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Key Considerations
- Financial impact on federal programs is contingent on how individuals' status affects their eligibility under multiple programs.
- The precise participation rate of the estimated target population within programs is unknown, creating variability in cost estimates.
- Given the legislation's limited scope, administrative adjustments in program processes may be necessary but not costly.