Alaska residents will again receive a share of the state’s oil revenues in 2025 through the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD), which has been set at $1,702 per person. This program, in force since 1982, aims to equitably distribute the income generated from non-renewable natural resources.
The delivery of the dividend is subject to specific eligibility conditions, established dates and an application process that, for this cycle, is already closed but, for those who applied on time, the waiting period to receive their checks now begins in a matter of days.
Who can access the PFD stimulus check 2025?
Eligibility requires meeting requirements during 2024: uninterrupted residence in Alaska, intention to remain in the state indefinitely and absences of no more than 180 days, except for exceptions such as studies or military service. In addition, those who had convictions for serious crimes or were imprisoned for these crimes are discarded. The final verification is carried out by the PFD Division of the Department of Revenue.
Those who did not meet these criteria in 2024 will have to wait for the next cycle. The program allows minors to be placed in legal custody, as long as their guardians meet the same requirements. Rejected applications can be appealed within established deadlines, although no details are specified in the current call.
The amount has been calculated at $1,702 per person for this year, and represents a 3.1% increase over the previous dividend of $1,650. This adjustment is calculated taking into account the average oil revenues of the last five years.
Since 2016, the value of the dividend has been determined from a formula that combines 21% of the state’s mineral profits with returns from the Permanent Fund. This fund, according to the annual report of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation, reached $73.2 billion in investments until December 2024.
Local economists project that the PFD will generate an injection of $1.2 billion into Alaska’s economy during 2025, especially benefiting sectors such as retail trade and local tourism.
In some rural families, in areas less favored by the development of the state, the PFD stimulus check can represent up to 10% of the annual family income.
When do the $1,702 Alaska PFD payments arrive?
Payments will be distributed on two primary dates: April 3, 2025 for direct deposits of applications approved without comments, and April 24 for cases that required additional reviews. Those who opted for physical checks will experience delays “of up to two weeks,” according to official sources. The delay is attributed to printing and postal logistics processes.
The calendar follows the date format of previous years, prioritizing electronic transfers over paper checks, which are slower and riskier in terms of the possibility of theft or loss. Since 2019, Alaska has incentivized direct deposit to reduce operating costs. In 2024, 82% of beneficiaries chose this modality, according to preliminary state data.
Can I still apply for the PFD stimulus check?
In reality, you can no longer apply if you did not do so before the deadline, which was March 31, 2025 (and there are no exceptional extensions). Alaska permanent residents had to complete the process through the PFD Division’s digital platform, which included identity verification with documents such as driver’s licenses or social security numbers. Those who skipped the process will have to wait until next year, with no options to claim later.
The online system, operational since 2016, allows you to attach proof of residence and justified absences. In 2025, a new biometric authentication module was implemented to prevent fraud, although no major incidents were reported during the process. Physical applications were only accepted in cases of duly certified technological limitations.
Are there limitations on how to use the money?
Alaska does not impose direct restrictions on the use of PFD funds. Beneficiaries can use the money for everyday expenses, investments, education, or leisure. However, the IRS classifies this benefit as federal taxable income, requiring it to be declared on Schedule 1 (Form 1040), line 8g. This could affect individual tax obligations, depending on each citizen’s tax bracket.
Another limiting factor is pre-authorized garnishments for debts such as child support, federal student loans, or state fines. Up to 15% of the PFD may be withheld to cover these obligations, upon judicial notice. Also, the Pick.Click.Give program. allows part of the dividend to be allocated to state charities before receiving it.
Although there are no rules restricting specific expenditures, the use of PFD for illegal activities remains punishable under federal and state laws. Between 2020 and 2024, 47 money laundering cases linked to the benefit were investigated, according to reports from the Alaska Department of Justice. Sanctions include permanent disqualification from receiving future dividends.
The PFD Division conducts random audits to detect fraudulent applications, with an emphasis on long-term residency verifications. In 2024, 1,203 applications were rejected due to documentary inconsistencies. Those affected have 30 business days to present resources, attaching evidence such as rental contracts or medical records that prove permanence in the state.
