For Alaska families, the harsh winter looks different when the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) deposit arrives. This year, that ray of economic hope will be brighter than ever. The state has confirmed that eligible residents will receive a $1,702 payment in the fall of 2025, a sum that promises to ease the pressure of heating bills, grocery shopping, and filling up the gas tank.
Unlike the federal stimulus checks or economic impact payments that emerged during the pandemic, this money doesn’t come from Washington, D.C. It’s the fruit of the Alaska Permanent Fund, a unique resource belonging to its people.
Despite rumors circulating online about a new $2,000 federal payment, officials are clear: no such thing is on the legislative horizon. The real news, and the most shocking for Alaskans, is in their own backyard.
Who receives a stimulus check from the PFD program?
The door to accessing this support has few conditions, in fact. It’s not enough to live in Alaska; you have to prove that it’s a true home. The requirements are to have resided in the state for the entire previous calendar year (2024) and to have the intention to remain there indefinitely. Those with felony convictions in recent months are, as a rule, excluded from the benefit.
For the 2025 payment, the train has already departed. The application period, an annual ritual for residents, was extended from January 1 to March 31, 2025. Those who didn’t submit their applications on time will have to wait for the next round.
However, the cycle doesn’t stop. For newcomers or those preparing for the future, the Permanent Fund Division is already announcing that the 2026 PFD process will begin promptly next January. It’s recommended to stay tuned to the official website, pfd.alaska.gov, the beacon that guides citizens through this process.
How to check the status of your application and when you get paid
Go to the official myPFD portal at: https://myinfo.pfd.dor.alaska.gov/Sign in with your myAlaska account (if you don’t have one, create one there; you’ll need your Social Security number and other personal information).
Once logged in, select “My PFD” to see the status of your application (for example, if it’s “Eligible – Not Paid”). There you can also view payment details, such as the estimated payment date, and update your address or banking information if necessary.