Many Alaskans might soon get a much-needed financial boost to start the year right. A new round of stimulus checks—possibly worth up to $1,400—is making headlines. But this money isn’t coming from a federal program.
It’s part of Alaska’s very own Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD), a yearly payout funded by the state’s oil profits. If you live in Alaska, this is something you should definitely keep an eye on!
What Is the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD)?
The PFD is a special program created in 1976. It pays Alaskan residents a portion of the profits made from the state’s oil income. These profits go into a large investment fund called the Alaska Permanent Fund. Over the years, this fund has grown to billions of dollars. In 2015, for example, the fund was worth more than $53.7 billion.
Every year, the state government decides how much of that money will be shared with residents. The final amount depends on how much income the fund has earned, how many people are eligible, and what the lawmakers decide during their meetings.
How Much Money Could You Get in 2025?
As of now, no final amount has been approved. However, lawmakers are discussing payments between $1,000 and $1,400 per person. The House of Representatives wants to give the higher amount, while the Senate is leaning towards a lower figure to save money.
The reason for this debate is a major budget problem in Alaska. The state has a $450 million budget deficit, and oil revenues have gone down. Because of this, lawmakers are trying to balance the budget without cutting the PFD too much.
The final decision is expected before the end of May 2025, when the legislative session usually ends. But if there is no agreement, the session could be extended.
Who Can Receive the PFD Payment?
Around 740,000 people in Alaska could qualify for the 2025 PFD. To get the money, you must meet some basic rules:
- You must have lived in Alaska for all of the previous year (2024).
- You must apply for the PFD before the official deadline in 2025.
- You must not have claimed residency in another state or country.
Once approved, the payment is usually deposited into your bank account or sent as a check later in the year.
PFD Payment History (2014 to 2024)
Here’s a quick look at how much money people have received in the last 10 years:
- 2024: $1,702
- 2023: $1,312
- 2022: $3,284 (included a one-time energy bonus of $662)
- 2021: $1,114
- 2020: $992
- 2019: $1,606
- 2018: $1,600
- 2017: $1,100
- 2016: $1,022
- 2015: $2,072
- 2014: $1,884
As you can see, the amount changes every year depending on the state’s financial condition and decisions made by lawmakers.
How the PFD Helps Alaskans
The PFD is more than just extra money—it plays a big role in Alaska’s local economy. In 2023, about 78% of people used their PFD checks for basic expenses like food, rent, or bills. So even if the amount is smaller this year, it still makes a big difference to many families.
If the payment is closer to $1,000, it would be a 41% drop from the governor’s original $1,400 proposal. This could mean less help for households depending on this money for essentials.