In 2025, Alaska residents are once again looking carefully at the calendar on their walls, and we understand perfectly: a new stimulus check is coming that could be very juicy.
The next few months are decisive in terms of the distribution of one of the country’s most distinctive benefits: the annual Permanent Fund Dividend check, informally known as the “PFD stimulus check.”
Although not a federal stimulus, this direct payment, funded by oil revenues, serves as economic relief for thousands of families facing high costs of living in the northernmost U.S. state.
How much is the PFD stimulus check in 2025? Everything you need to know
This year, the amount of the dividend has generated strong controversy between those who defend its preservation as a citizen’s right and those who propose using part of those funds to cover budget deficits.
The Alaska Permanent Fund was created in 1976 to manage oil revenues. In 1982, the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) was implemented as a mechanism to distribute part of those profits directly to state residents.
The amount of the dividend varies each year, depending on economic factors and political decisions. In 2024, the payment included an additional $298.17 bonus for energy relief, bringing the check total to $1,702 per person.
The fund prioritizes long-term benefits, but recent tensions arise over proposals to redirect resources to public services. Legislators debate whether to prioritize direct payments or invest in education and infrastructure. This reflects a conflict between immediate needs of residents and fiscal sustainability of the state.
How much is the PFD stimulus check projected for 2025?
The PFD injects more than $1 billion into the local economy annually. For large families, the full amount represents significant relief. In 2022, high payments boosted retail sales by 15%, according to commercial chambers. However, critics point out that reliance on these funds exposes residents to political volatility.
The Alaska House of Representatives supports a $1,400 PFD check, aligned with recent formulas that allocate approximately $251 million, in response to declining oil revenues and the need to prioritize public health spending.
For his part, the governor maintains his proposal for a dividend of $3,900 per person, although several experts describe it as “unrealistic,” since it would require using $1.5 billion from the state’s reserves.
Analysts project that the final amount will be close to the Senate or House offer, without exceeding $1,400. The viability of the government proposal faces bipartisan rejection, citing deficit risks. “Taking out more than half of the reserve fund would be reckless,” said one anonymous lawmaker.
Application process and eligibility for PFD stimulus payments
The requirements to access the PFD 2025 include uninterrupted residence since January 1, 2024, intention to remain and a minimum physical presence of 72 hours in the last two years. Those who violate criminal regulations, such as recent serious convictions, lose their right. The verification process takes up to six weeks.
Errors in applications, such as outdated addresses, cause delays. Authorities recommend updating data in myPFD and keeping postal receipts. In 2024, 3% of applications were rejected due to inconsistencies. There are no extensions after the closing of the application period.