Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy proposed a Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) of $3,900 per resident in 2025. The initiative seeks to use a legal formula not applied in the last decade. However, state legislators question its viability given the projected budget deficit. This discussion is important because more than 600,000 eligible Americans are awaiting the final decision.
On April 11, 2025, the Alaska House of Representatives reduced the initial proposal by almost two-thirds. These tensions are debated: they have to decide between supporting residents, with money that thousands of families count on, or maintaining fiscal stability. “The state faces complex financial challenges,” said an official statement after the vote.
How much can recipients of PFD stimulus checks expect in 2025?
Applying the informal formula used in recent years, the PFD for 2025 would be approximately $1,400 per person. In 2024, the total amount was $1,702, including an energy relief bonus. More than 600,000 residents are eligible to receive the payment this year.
The Senate Finance Committee in May 2025 proposed a $1,000 PFD, the lowest in five years adjusted for inflation. This figure, still subject to amendments, would reduce the deficit by $265 million. On the other hand, the House of Representatives had previously approved $1,400 in April.
Some Dream of Nearly $3,900 PFD Fund: Is It Viable?
A House Finance Committee draft in April included a $3,892 dividend, aligned with the governor’s statutory formula. However, this scenario would generate a significant deficit, according to budget analysis. “Balancing priorities is key,” one lawmaker mentioned during the discussions.
The eligibility requirements for 2025 have not changed: permanent residence, minimum physical presence of 72 hours in the last two years and absence of a relevant criminal record.
The deadline to apply for the 2025 PFD was March 31. Those who met the deadline will receive the funds on the dates established by the Alaska Department of Revenue. The final amount depends on legislative agreements and economic conditions, still under discussion in mid-May.
Analysts warn beneficiaries that $3,900 checks are unlikely, because they would deplete almost half of the Constitutional Budget Reserve, which complicates viability. Some experts project checks of about $1,000, and others have said that, if a dividend close to $1,400 is applied, it would follow the trend of 2024, when the payment was $1,702. The payment date has not yet been revealed, but is expected to be set for September or October.