Frequently Asked Questions

Email the BLM Native Allotment Section Team with additional questions at [email protected].

Important Notice for Heirs of Deceased Alaska Native Veterans

Only the Alaska Court System can appoint a Personal Representative for a deceased veteran eligible to receive up to 160 acres under the Alaska Native Veterans Allotment Program of 2019. Call 1-888-478-2572 for assistance.

ANVLAP Overview

What is the Alaska Native Vietnam-era Veterans Land Allotment Program?

The 2019 Dingell Act established this program to provide the opportunity for eligible Vietnam-era veterans or their heirs to select 2.5 to 160 acres of Federal land in Alaska. The program is open to all eligible Alaska Natives who served between Aug. 5, 1964, and Dec. 31, 1971. The current application deadline is December 29, 2030.

Why does the program exist?

Alaska Natives bravely served this country during Vietnam at rates among the highest ethnic groups in the country. However, the 2019 Dingell Act's Alaska Native Vietnam-era veterans land allotment section is not a reward for service in the military. Instead, the law attempts to compensate for a time of intense advertising and publicity that may not have reached these men and women due to the fact that they were busy serving this nation, whether abroad or here in the United States. It provides an opportunity for eligible veterans and their heirs to apply for up to 160 acres of federal land in Alaska without having to qualify by showing evidence of personal use and occupancy. The latest of four Alaska Native allotment programs since 1906, the 2019 program looks to provide equity for those who may have missed the robust outreach campaign -- which coincided with the Vietnam conflict -- to apply under the 1906 Act before it was repealed in 1971 by the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA). The subsequent Alaska Native Veterans Allotment Act of 1998 attempted to compensate for this, but Congress and the Alaska Native Community have long seen the personal use and occupancy requirement of previous laws, as well as the short service date window in the 1998 law (Jan. 1, 1969-Dec. 31, 1971) as unfair. This new program removes the requirement for personal use or occupancy, and it extends the eligibility window by four and half years to now apply to all eligible Alaska Native eligible who served between Aug. 5, 1964, and Dec. 31, 1971.

Who is eligible to apply?

Any Alaska Native who:

Is an armed forces veteran who served between August 5, 1964, and December 31, 1971, with an other than dishonorable discharge; and
Has not already received an allotment of land under another Alaska Native land allotment program.

A personal representative appointed by the Alaska Court System, acting on behalf of the heirs of a deceased Native veteran, may also apply for an allotment if the deceased veteran meets the eligibility requirements above.

Where can I find an ANVLAP application?

Download the ~10-question, fillable .pdf ANVLAP Application.

How long does the process take from submitting the application to receiving the Certificate of Allotment?

Processing times vary by application depending on several factors, including the complexity of the application, whether the selected lands are also selected by the State of Alaska or an Alaska Native Corporation, and the time needed to resolve those overlapping land interests.

While Congress envisioned that applications would generally be processed within about one year, actual processing times have been longer due to variety of factors, including circumstances beyond the BLM’s control. For many applicants, the process takes approximately two to three years, although applications may take more or less time.

We are committed to processing applications as efficiently and accurately as possible and understand that waiting can be frustrating. Our staff reviews each application carefully to ensure that all legal requirements are met and that applicants receive the land they are entitled to under the Alaska Native Vietnam-era Land Allotment Program.

Has every eligible veteran been found?

No. We still need your help locating more than 150 potentially eligible veterans and families nationwide and getting them to provide current addresses to the Bureau of Indian Affairs at (907) 271-4506. Please ask around for people who served between 1964 and 1971. We can’t give you their names due to Privacy Act concerns, but you can spread the word in your community centers, shelters, veterans’ organizations, places of worship, and social services organizations.

Applying as Heir of Deceased Alaska Native Veteran

How do I become a personal representative?

To apply on behalf of a deceased veteran, a personal representative will need to be appointed through the Alaska State Court through the probate process. Information on how to become a personal representative is available on Alaska Law Help, and through the Alaska Court System. Alaska Law Help also offers a guided online interview that will provide you with the completed, necessary forms to start the process. Alaska Legal Services Corporation (ALSC) provides assistance with completing the paperwork needed by the court for an individual to be appointed personal representative.

How do I get a copy of my (or my relative's) DD-214 and other service-related paperwork?

Get a copy of your (or your relative's) DD-214 or print a VA Service Verification Letter right from the US Department of Veterans Affairs website. Visit the Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Office of Veterans Affairs or the US Department of Veterans Affairs to request your DD-214. You can also request the documents you need by calling the VA benefits hotline at (800) 827-1000. Your local VA office or a veteran service organization can help you navigate the process, if you need assistance.

Do all the heirs of an eligible veteran qualify separately?

No, only the eligible veteran qualifies for an allotment, so there is only one allotment available for application.

The only person who can apply on behalf of a deceased eligible veteran is the personal representative of that veteran's estate appointed by an Alaska State Court. Even if a court has determined that you are an heir, you can only apply on behalf of the deceased eligible veteran if you have been appointed the personal representative of that veteran's estate. Alaska Law Help offers information and resources on how to become a personal representative. If you need additional assistance, contact Alaska Legal Services Corporation (ALSC) through their online intake, or by calling (888) 478-2572.

Applying as Alaska Native Veteran

How do I apply and what should I do?

Eligible veterans should apply today! Veterans previously notified of eligibility will receive application materials in the mail. Read the Final Rules for details.

Those not notified can take the following actions and consult the Final Rules for instructions to apply.

Update your mailing address and phone number with your BIA Realty Tribal Service Provider and personal representative, (if applicable). Enrollment Verification: (907) 271-4506 | BIA Realty: (800) 645-8465.
Get a copy of your DD-214 or print a VA Service Verification Letter right from the US Department of Veterans Affairs website. The VA Service Verification Letter gives dates of service and the character of discharge. You can also:

BY PHONE | Request the documents you need calling the VA benefits hotline at (800) 827-1000 or by contacting Frank "Ric" Epperson at (907) 257-4864, [email protected].

IN PERSON | Vets and family members can also book an appointment online for in-person meeting at the Anchorage Regional VA office to discuss getting a copy DD-214 copies or a VA Service Verification Letter.

OTHER ONLINE | Visit the Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Office of Veterans Affairs or the US Department of Veterans Affairs to request your DD-214.
Coordinate a personal representative appointed by an Alaska State Court, if needed.
Review our interactive map of currently and potentially available lands for selection by eligible individuals. It will be updated regularly to account for changes as more lands become available and once allotments are applied for over the course of the program.

Once you update your contact information and receive your DD-214, ask yourself the following questions:

Where are you keeping those documents?
Does anyone else know where to find them?
Who would you like to represent you & do they know you want them to?
- Do they know what lands you want to select?
- Did you list them in your will as a representative?

You can also ask each agency if you meet the definition for Alaska Native (BIA) and Vietnam-era veteran (VA). The military service requirement can be met in several ways to qualify as a veteran per 38 USC 101. Active duty for the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard clearly falls within the definition. For service in the Reserves, National Guard, Public Health Service, or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps, we recommend contacting the VA or your State veteran services for help in determining if you qualify as a veteran. In Alaska, you can contact the State of Alaska’s Office of Veteran Affairs at (888) 248-3682.

Who certifies Alaska Native status?

The Bureau of Indian Affairs.

BIA liaison (in and out of state) Leonard "Paul" Mayo (907)388-0478 [email protected].

What else can I do?

Nearly 2,000 eligible Alaska Native Vietnam-era veterans and family members should apply today for up to 160 acres of federal land in the state! Final rules for the program were published in the Federal Register Nov. 27, giving applicants 30 days to prepare and submit applications before the opening day. Applications for the program were mailed to those who already received eligibility notices earlier this year. Downloadable applications are also available.
Spread the word to other potential Native Veterans you may know or through organizations you participate in. We still need your help locating about 150 potentially eligible veterans and families nationwide and getting them to provide current addresses to the Bureau of Indian Affairs at (907) 271-4506. Please ask around for people who served between 1964 and 1971. We can’t give you their names due to Privacy Act concerns, but you can download and distribute our flyer to your community centers, shelters, veterans’ organizations, places of worship, and social services organizations.

Land Allotment Selection

Who is eligible to select an allotment of land?

Any Alaska Native who:

Is an armed forces veteran who served between August 5, 1964, and December 31, 1971, with an other than dishonorable discharge; and
Has not already received an allotment of land under another Alaska Native land allotment program.

What land is available for selection?

There are approximately 41.5 million acres of BLM-managed lands available for selection. The BLM's Available Lands Map shows currently and potentially available lands for selection. This map will be updated as more lands become available and as allotments are applied for over the course of the program.

When Congress authorized this program, they made all vacant, unappropriated, and unreserved BLM-managed public lands available for selection. Lands within National Parks and Preserves, National Wildlife Refuges, and National Forests in Alaska were not available, nor were some specific BLM-managed lands (e.g., lands in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska).

Eligible individuals can apply for lands selected by the State under the Alaska Statehood Act or by Native corporations under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. However, those applications add an additional step to the process: a BLM request to the State or Native corporation requesting relinquishment of their selection. The State or Native corporation may or may not choose to relinquish their selection.

If new land becomes available after I apply, can I change my mind and reapply for an allotment on the newly available land?

Eligible Individuals may be allowed to amend their selections until 60 days after they receive the Notice of Survey. Amended selections will be considered as new applications for purposes of preference, but there is no need to resubmit any portions of the application other than the land description and map. If an applicant relinquishes their application more than 60 days after they receive the Notice of Survey, then the applicant will only be able to submit a new application for a new selection if their original selection is no longer available. Otherwise, you will not be allowed to change your selection except if lands you selected were applied for by another individual or if the lands were otherwise unavailable.

Military Service and Veteran Affairs

Who certifies military service?: The Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs.
How do I get a copy of my (or my relative's) DD-214 and other service-related paperwork?: Get a copy of your (or your relative's) DD-214 or print a VA Service Verification Letter right from the US Department of Veterans Affairs website. Visit the Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Office of Veterans Affairs or the US Department of Veterans Affairs to request your DD-214. You can also request the documents you need by calling the VA benefits hotline at (800) 827-1000. Your local VA office or a veteran service organization can help you navigate the process, if you need assistance.

Need more information?

I still have questions that aren't addressed here. Who can I contact?: Email the Bureau of Land Management Alaska at [email protected] or give us a call at (907) 271-3786. We're here to help!