More than 600,000 Alaskans will receive a stimulus check worth $1,702 within days. The payments come from the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) Program, which has sent money to state residents every year since 1982.
What is the Alaska PFD?
The PFD isn’t your typical federal stimulus check. Instead, it’s funded by Alaska’s oil and mineral revenues and shared with residents as an annual benefit. Every eligible Alaskan — including children — can qualify.
This year’s dividend totals $1,403.83, plus an energy relief payment of up to $298.1, adding up to $1,702. While the payment is free cash for residents, it is subject to federal tax.
When are payments going out?
The next round of PFD payments will go out on September 11 to people who had a status of “Eligible-Not Paid” on September 3.
- If your application shows “Eligible-Not Paid” by September 18, you’ll receive payment on October 2.
- If your status changes by October 13, your payment will come on October 23.
The deadline to claim this year’s PFD was August 31. If you missed it, you’ll need to wait until June 1, 2026, when the next application cycle opens.
Who is eligible for the $1,702 payment?
To qualify, you must:
- Be a resident of Alaska and plan to stay indefinitely.
- Have not claimed residency in another state during 2024.
- Have been physically present in Alaska for at least 72 consecutive hours sometime between 2023 and 2024.
- Not be imprisoned for a felony this year or be serving time for a misdemeanor after a prior felony.
Every family member who meets these requirements — including children — can receive their own payment.
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How to check your application status
If you’re unsure whether your payment is coming, you can check your status online through the Alaska PFD Division website. Look for “Eligible-Not Paid” under your application record to confirm your payment date.
Why does Alaska pay residents every year?
Since 1982, Alaska has shared some of its oil wealth with its people through the PFD program. The amount changes each year, depending on the state’s revenue from oil and other natural resources.
Genevieve Wojtusik, Division Director of the PFD programme, says the goal is to ensure that all eligible Alaskans receive their dividends on time, while cracking down on fraud and treating applicants fairly.
How the PFD compares to other stimulus payments
Unlike federal stimulus checks, which were issued nationwide during the pandemic, the PFD is exclusive to Alaska. Other states occasionally issue their own rebates or relief checks, but no other state has a long-running programme like this one.
The $1,702 payout comes in two parts:
- Base dividend: $1,403.83
- Energy relief payment: Up to $298.1
Combined, this helps offset the state’s high cost of living and expensive energy prices.
Don’t forget about taxes
While Alaska doesn’t tax PFD payments at the state level, the IRS still treats the money as taxable income. That means recipients will need to report it on their federal tax return.
