Alaska residents have until Monday, March 31, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. local time to submit applications for the 2025 Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD). If you’re applying online, your submission must be completed before midnight.
If you’re submitting by mail, ensure your application is postmarked by the deadline. The official pfd.alaska.gov website offers all the necessary details and a link to the digital form.
Although March 31 coincides with Seward’s Day (a holiday), the PFD program offices will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to accept in-person applications.
Eligibility Criteria for PFD Applications
To qualify for the PFD, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Uninterrupted residency in Alaska during 2023.
- No criminal convictions on record.
- Limited to 180 days outside Alaska in 2023, unless an exception applies.
PFD Stimulus Check in Alaska: What You Need to Know
In recent years, the PFD has provided stimulus checks ranging from $1,000 to $3,284, based on Alaska’s oil revenues and government spending. This year’s amount will be decided in May 2025 when the Legislature approves the state budget. The base amount of the dividend has fluctuated in recent years due to political negotiations.
In 2023, more than 564,000 people had applied for the PFD, with 624,489 receiving their checks. The total cost of this program was more than $1 billion in 2023. However, the Legislature has been prioritizing infrastructure and education investment, affecting the PFD amount.
This year’s PFD payment will combine earnings from Alaska’s Permanent Fund, which was created in 1976, along with oil revenues. In 2023, an energy bonus of $298 was included, but no additional assistance is planned for this year. Analysts expect fluctuations in the PFD amount due to changes in state revenues and legislative debates.
What’s at Stake for Alaska Residents?
The final amount for the PFD will be announced in September 2025 after the Legislature finalizes the budget. Experts believe that increased applications combined with reduced oil funds could lower the final PFD amount.
Additionally, 40% of the Permanent Fund’s profits are now allocated to public services, a policy implemented in 2018 to help ensure long-term fiscal stability for the state.
Steps to Apply for the 2025 PFD
If you’re applying for the 2025 PFD, make sure to:
- Check eligibility requirements and verify residency documentation before applying.
- Submit your application through the official PFD website or mail by March 31.
- If facing exclusions, you can appeal your case until December 31, 2025.
- Expect up to 8 weeks for your eligibility to be confirmed.
The PFD program has also introduced an anti-fraud system using biometric verification to prevent duplicate applications since 2022.