Hundreds of thousands of Alaskan residents eagerly await a stimulus check, which has arrived every year, without fail, for decades, ever since its creation. As we know, the “Last Frontier State” is one of the largest oil reserves in the United States and, as such, also generates billions of dollars in local profits.
The cash injection couldn’t be sufficiently equitable, of course, if it wasn’t distributed among the locals. That’s why the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) program exists, which collects a portion of the profits from oil drilling in Alaska and distributes them in the form of stimulus checks to eligible permanent residents.
What is the PFD program and when was it created?
This Alaska-exclusive initiative was established in 1982 and is administered by the Alaska Department of Revenue through the Permanent Fund Dividend Division.
Each year, oil exports generate state taxes, a portion of which is also collected to be given to Alaskans. In 2024, the Federal Reserve’s stimulus check program defined a $1,702 check for more than 600,000 permanent residents, with this amount to be distributed in 2025.
By 2025, the amount defined by the Alaska Legislature (as it has been since 2017, when it switched to this form of payment definition, by order of the Alaska Supreme Court).
Basic requirements to access the $1,702 PFD 2025
Those who wish to be considered eligible to claim payment must meet a series of unavoidable requirements:
- Have an Alaska-issued ID (driver’s license or ID card).
- Social Security Number.
- Proof of Alaska residency (e.g., rental agreement, utility bills).
- Previous year’s tax return (if applicable).
- Documents justifying prolonged absences (e.g., military orders, school records, medical certificates).
Additionally, they must have submitted their application for the benefit before March 31, 2025, through the PFD program website, at the PFD offices in Anchorage, Fairbanks or Juneau, or by mail (Permanent Fund Dividend Division, P.O. Box 110020, Juneau, AK 99811-0020).
How to check if you have been selected for the PFD stimulus check
Applicants can check the status of their application at myPFD (pfd.alaska.gov). Common statuses include:
- Eligible-Not Paid: Approved, but awaiting payment.
- Under Review: Additional documentation or verification of residency is required.
- Denied: Not eligible, with a letter of explanation sent to the applicant.
If an application is denied, applicants may file an appeal within 30 days of notification, along with a $25 fee.
The extensive benefits of PFD checks in Alaska
Few public policies in the United States, beyond putting money in your pocket, redefine the life of an entire community. That’s exactly what the Alaska Permanent Fund (PFD) does. It’s not just a refund, but a major financial injection and a cushion of dignity for the state’s residents.
The numbers speak for themselves: the PFD has managed to reduce poverty rates by between 20% and 40%. The transformation is especially profound in rural Indigenous communities, where we have seen a plummet from a rate of 28% to a hopeful 22%. This isn’t a cold statistic; these are families breathing a sigh of relief.
Furthermore, the myth that people who receive these benefits stop working has been debunked: in Alaska, a 17% increase in part-time work can be seen. People use this money to study, start a side business, or take care of their families. The PFD doesn’t discourage work; it unleashes human potential.
