Just four days remain until hundreds of thousands of Alaska residents receive the first 2025 stimulus checks delivered by the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) program. Nearly half a million Americans will benefit from these payments.
The PFD’s core purpose involves sharing resource wealth with full-year residents. Eligibility demands strict compliance: applicants must have uninterrupted Alaska residency from January 1 through December 31 of the prior year (2024). Partial residency—whether six or nine months—fails the requirement; the full calendar year is mandatory.
Established in 1976, the program distributes a portion of state resource revenue—primarily oil—through Alaska’s Permanent Fund.
Half Million Get PFD: Do YOU Qualify for the Cash?
Beyond continuous residency, applicants must demonstrate genuine intent to remain in Alaska permanently. Permissible absences cover work travel, college semesters, medical treatments, or military deployments.
However, absences exceeding 180 days without valid justification trigger disqualification. Incarceration or felony convictions during the eligibility period similarly nullify payment rights.
PFD amounts change annually based on fund investment performance and state legislative decisions. The 2024 payment landed at $1,702 per person. Historically, payouts swung dramatically—from a low of $331.29 in 1984 to a record $3,284 during 2022’s peak payout. Note: the 2025 amount gets announced this September, but distribution won’t occur until 2026.
2025 PFD payments will hit accounts on three dates, determined by when applications achieve “Eligible-Not Paid” status:
- June 18, 2025: Applications reaching “Eligible-Not Paid” before June 11, 2025
- July 17, 2025: Applications reaching “Eligible-Not Paid” before July 9, 2025
- August 21, 2025: Applications reaching “Eligible-Not Paid” before August 13, 2025
If an application cleared all requirements and hit “Eligible – Not Paid” before July 9, expect payment on July 17. Track application status via the myPFD portal on the official PFD website.
Non-negotiable Eligibility Rules
PFD qualification hinges on two fixed criteria:
- Physical residency in Alaska every single day of the prior calendar year (January 1 – December 31, 2024).
- Demonstrable intent to remain in Alaska indefinitely.
- The 180-day absence rule stands firm; extended vacations disqualify unless tied to authorized work, education, medical, or military reasons. Critical exclusions: incarceration during any part of 2024 or felony convictions. Receiving another state’s residency benefits or applying for permanent residency elsewhere also voids eligibility.
PFD Deadline: Are You Still on Time to Apply?
Applying costs nothing. Choose online or mail submission. Gather these documents first:
- Valid Alaska ID (driver’s license or state ID card)
- Concrete proof of full-year 2024 residency
- Social Security number
- Bank details for direct deposit (optional but recommended—paper checks delay receipt)
Missing the March 31 deadline pushes applications to next year’s cycle. Double-check all entries—especially bank account numbers—before submitting. One typo can postpone payment for months. So, if you didn’t applied by that deadline, you’re not entitled for a check this year. You must wait until next year’s application window to request the next check.
As a reminder for locals: The physical PFD offices will close completely from July 7–18, 2025. Staff will process applications and payments that, as we said, are about half a million. Calls and in-person visits won’t be answered during this period. The myPFD online portal remains active for inquiries.