The Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) is an annual stimulus checks distribution program administered by the State of Alaska. Its operation transfers a portion of the Alaska Permanent Fund’s earnings to residents who meet strict criteria. This investment fund was created in 1976 with seed capital derived from oil revenues.
The financial objective was to establish a mechanism for sharing the benefits of non-renewable resources, ensuring a foundation of economic sustainability for the future. Although colloquially referred to as a “stimulus payment” in the media, its nature is distinct from federal stimulus checks, as it is based on a sovereign wealth fund model.
$1702 Alaskans to get a payment very soon
The program is administered by the Alaska Department of Revenue, acting through its Permanent Fund Dividend Division. This entity oversees the entire cycle, from application and verification to final distribution. The structure ensures that payments are made according to the legal framework defined annually by the state legislature. Its continuous operation since 1982 demonstrates its integration into Alaska’s fiscal system, having distributed more than $28 billion through 2024.
The calculation of the individual amount is linked to the fund’s financial performance. The formula considers its average value over the past five fiscal years, applying a percentage and subtracting operating costs. However, the final figure is subject to legislative budget approval, introducing a political factor. This duality between formula-based calculations and legislative discretion has been a defining feature.
2025 PFD Eligibility Explained: Who Qualifies and Who Gets Left Out?
The eligibility requirements are comprehensive and rigorously enforced. For the 2025 PFD, eligibility is based on residency for the entire 2024 calendar year. A key requirement is the declared intention to remain a resident indefinitely. The regulations prohibit having claimed tax residency in another state or country, or having obtained benefits based on it, with a cutoff point of December 31, 2023.
The regulations establish categorical exclusions based on criminal history. Individuals convicted of a felony in 2024, or incarcerated at any time during the year for a felony conviction, are ineligible. Those incarcerated for misdemeanors in Alaska are also excluded if they have prior convictions for a felony or two or more misdemeanors since January 1, 1997.
Physical presence in the state for at least 72 consecutive hours in 2023 or 2024 is required. Absences exceeding 180 days must be justified for permissible reasons, such as military service, education, or medical treatment. The division verifies this information against state and federal databases.
How’s the PFD application and verification process
The application process takes place over a fixed period. For the 2025 dividend, the window was from January 1 to March 31, 2025, the date being maintained despite a state holiday. The primary method is the myAlaska online platform, a secure single-sign-on system. A paper option exists, but the digital channel is promoted for its greater speed.
Applicants must provide documentation proving residency, such as a valid Alaska driver’s license, state tax records, or utility bills. They must also detail any extended absences and provide accurate banking information for direct deposit. For minors, the application must be completed by a parent, guardian, or authorized custodian. Application status is monitored through the .
Common statuses include “Eligible-Not Paid,” “Denied,” and “In Review.” It is the applicant’s responsibility to update any address or bank information changes by August 31, 2025, to affect the October mass payments. The division does not accept these updates over the phone. This year’s check will be $1,702, slightly bigger than in 2023, and the disbursement will begin from August 2025.