The Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) is a program for distributing wealth derived from natural resources. It was established by state legislation in 1976, following the discovery of oil in Prudhoe Bay.
Its fundamental purpose was to preserve a portion of oil revenues for the benefit of future generations of citizens. The managing entity, the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation, oversees the investment of the principal amount.
Alaska’s stimulus checks to deliver payments soon
The annual distribution of a portion of investment earnings to eligible residents is commonly known as the PFD. This direct payment acts as a periodic economic stimulus for the local economy. The benefit is often referred to as an “Alaska stimulus check” due to its cash nature, which seeks to boost consumer spending, support local businesses, and reduce poverty rates statewide.
Typical payments include a base dividend and, in certain years, additional bonuses to compensate for energy costs. The exact amount for each fiscal year is determined by a set formula and subject to approval. Financial market volatility and oil prices directly influence the final earnings to be distributed.
Disbursement schedule confirmed: Dates for the PFD dividends
The funding disbursement process is implemented on a phased schedule over several months. Specific dates for the 2025 payment cycle have been published by the relevant division. This detailed schedule allows residents to anticipate receiving their financial resources based on the status of their application.
For this year, disbursements were scheduled to begin in May. Distribution prioritizes direct deposit payments for applications with “Eligible-Not Paid” status on the deadlines prior to each batch. Payments by physical check are processed later in the calendar year, typically toward the end of the annual cycle.
The final dates for the 2025 PFD payments are as follows:
- May 15, 2025: For applications in “Eligible-Not Paid” by May 7, 2025.
- June 18, 2025: For applications in “Eligible-Not Paid” by June 11, 2025.
- July 17, 2025: For applications in “Eligible-Not Paid” by July 9, 2025.
- August 21, 2025: For applications in “Eligible-Not Paid” by August 13, 2025.
- September 11, 2025: For applications in “Eligible-Not Paid” by September 3, 2025. October 2, 2025: For applications in “Eligible-Not Paid” by September 18, 2025.
- October 23, 2025: For applications in “Eligible-Not Paid” for October 13, 2025.
Established eligibility requirements
Obtaining a PFD is subject to meeting a specific set of residency criteria. Applicants must have lived in Alaska for the entirety of the immediately preceding calendar year. The intention to remain in the state indefinitely is another key requirement for eligibility.
Physical presence in the state is verified and must be at least 72 consecutive hours during the established qualifying period. Certain absences exceeding 180 days may result in disqualification, unless they are due to reasons explicitly permitted by the program, such as education or medical treatment. Convictions for specific felony offenses may also disqualify a resident from receiving payment.
The application window strictly closes each year on March 31st. Applications must have been fully completed and submitted through the official online portal or in physical form. Distributed payments are categorized as federally taxable income and must therefore be reported to the Internal Revenue Service.
The exact value of the dividend for 2025 has not been officially finalized at the time of this publication. The figure is determined through a calculation that considers the fund’s investment performance over a period of several years. The state legislature has the authority to influence the final amount through the approval of supplemental amounts.
