Page 8 - Deb Etheridge News Today

The Dunleavy administration recommends fast-tracking food stamp relief by increasing funding for the Division of Public Assistance.

Legislature gives near-unanimous approval to hiring extra staff to fix months-long backlog

In April, the state’s Division of Public Assistance will begin the year-long process of reviewing every Medicaid recipient in the state. 

Even Alaskans who have now gotten their benefits say that the months they went without left them with debt and fears for the future.

The state has blamed the backlog on aging technology and a cyber attack in May of 2021, but employees say chronic understaffing is the cause. The union has also filed a grievance over the division hiring contract workers to help.

Director of the Division of Public Assistance departs in wake of months-long backlog.

Juneau resident Deb Etheridge will replace O’Brien. She was previously Assistant Director of Southeast Alaska Independent Living.