(a) Every person residing in the state who is 65 years of age or older, has been a resident of the state continuously for more than one year immediately preceding application for admission, and is in need of residence at a home because of physical disability or other reason, is eligible for admission to the Alaska Pioneers' Home or the Alaska Veterans' Home under conditions prescribed in regulations. The spouse of a person who is eligible for admission under other provisions of this subsection is also eligible for admission to a home under conditions prescribed by the department if the spouse is 65 years of age or older and has been a resident of the state continuously for more than one year immediately preceding application for admission.

(b) Every person admitted to a home who receives income from any source in excess of $200 a month shall be required by the department to pay the excess to the department immediately upon receipt of the money in payment, or part payment, of the cost of the person's care. However, the department may not require in any month the payment of an amount greater than the monthly rate set under AS 47.55.030(b) except to satisfy indebtedness incurred under AS 47.55.070. The department may not evict a person from a home if the income and assets of the person are insufficient to pay the monthly rate set under AS 47.55.030(b) and the person is otherwise in compliance with requirements under this chapter.

(c) At the end of each month, the payments made under (b) of this section shall be transmitted to the commissioner of revenue. The department shall pay the sum of $200 a month to a resident who is without income or resources.

(d) Notwithstanding AS 47.55.070 and (b) of this section, a resident of a home whose income, assets, and other resources are insufficient to pay the monthly rate set under AS 47.55.030(b), and who does not have private insurance to cover the cost of care, qualifies for payment assistance if the resident is otherwise in compliance with requirements under this chapter. The amount of payment assistance equals the amount needed, when added to other income and assets of the resident, to pay the monthly rate set under AS 47.55.030(b). Payment assistance received by a home resident is a debt to the state. In determining the amount of payment assistance for which a home resident qualifies, the following income, assets, and other resources of the resident shall be disregarded:

(1) income from any source in an amount up to $200 a month as established by the department by regulation;

(2) the following assets received under 43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq. (Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act):

(A) cash dividends and other income equal to at least $2,000 as established by the department by regulation;

(B) stock;

(C) noncash dividends from stock; and

(D) land;

(3) a permanent fund dividend issued under AS 43.23;

(4) compensation to volunteers under the federal retired and senior volunteers (42 U.S.C. 5001), foster grandparents (42 U.S.C. 5011), and senior companion (42 U.S.C. 5013) programs made in accordance with 42 U.S.C. 5044(f);

(5) federal World War II restitution payments made under 50 U.S.C. App. 1989b-4 and c-5;

(6) payments under AS 18.67 (Violent Crimes Compensation Board);

(7) an amount, determined by the department by regulation, that is sufficient for burial expenses of the resident, the resident's spouse, and dependents of the resident;

(8) real property being used as the primary residence of the resident's spouse or a dependent of the resident;

(9) other real or personal property equal to at least a total value of up to $10,000 as established by the department by regulation;

(10) federal payments that are excluded by law from income for federal assistance purposes.

(e) As a condition for receipt of payment assistance under (d) of this section, the department, under regulations adopted by the department, shall require a person to

(1) apply for other state or federally sponsored programs that may reduce the amount of the payment assistance; and

(2) submit to the department a copy of the person's application for medical assistance coverage under AS 47.07 and the decision letter the person receives regarding the application.

(f) Instead of accepting federal prescription drug benefits under AS 47.55.010(c)(1), the department may adopt regulations to provide comparable prescription drug benefits to pioneers and veterans who reside in an Alaska Pioneers' Home operated under this chapter and who are eligible for federal prescription drug benefits.