It’s a big day for thousands of Alaskans as the state begins issuing its yearly Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) checks. For 2025, the payment is a solid $1,702—free money, no strings attached, for those who qualify. While the rest of the country waits for new federal stimulus initiatives, Alaska continues to reward residents for simply living in the Last Frontier.
Table of Contents
Overview
The PFD is not a one-off check like the COVID-era stimulus payments. Instead, it’s an annual payout funded by Alaska’s oil and mineral profits. This unique program has been around for over 40 years, ensuring residents share in the state’s natural wealth.
If you live in Alaska and meet the requirements, this $1,700+ bonus is basically your yearly dividend for toughing it out through long winters and high living costs.
Eligibility
So, who gets the money? Luckily, the requirements aren’t too tough. You just have to prove you’re committed to living in Alaska and have stayed on the right side of the law. Here’s the breakdown:
- You must be a resident of Alaska
- You need to have lived in the state for at least 12 months with no plans to move
- If you were temporarily outside Alaska, you must’ve spent at least 72 continuous hours in-state in the last 24 months
- No felony incarcerations in the past 12 months
- If you’ve had a felony or two misdemeanors since 1997, you need to be offense-free for the past 12 months
As long as you meet those requirements, the money is yours.
Timeline
The first round of payments started rolling out on August 21, 2025, for applicants who had a status of “Eligible-Not Paid” as of August 13.
The next payment round will go out on September 11 for those whose applications show “Eligible-Not Paid” as of September 3. Payments will continue monthly through October.
Here’s a quick look:
| Payment Date | Eligibility Status Date |
|---|---|
| August 21 | August 13 |
| September 11 | September 3 |
| October TBD | Based on October status |
Purpose
Why does Alaska hand out this money every year? Simple—it’s all about sharing the state’s oil wealth. The PFD helps Alaskans deal with the high cost of living and acts as a financial cushion.
It also encourages people to stay in the state long-term, even when winter hits hard. Think of it as Alaska’s way of saying “thanks for sticking around.”
National Scene
Other states are testing the waters with new payment programs. For example, California has launched the Family First Economic Support Pilot. This program offers monthly payments to low-income families with children, aiming to see if guaranteed income can improve lives.
But at the federal level, there’s not much happening. After the COVID-era payments and the third Economic Impact Payment under the Rescue America Plan, things have gone quiet. While some parts of the Trump-era “Big, Beautiful, Bill” include stimulus-style ideas, nothing major has rolled out yet.
That’s why Alaska’s consistency with the PFD stands out. It may not be a game-changer on its own, but it’s a yearly boost that makes a difference.
So, if you’re in Alaska and eligible, check your status and mark your calendar—because that $1,702 could land in your account any day now.