Every year, the U.S. state of Alaska shares part of its oil wealth with its residents through a special payment called the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD). This yearly stimulus check is a unique benefit that helps support families by giving them a share of the profits made from Alaska’s oil industry.
In 2025, the PFD check has been set at $1,702 per person. Here’s everything you need to know—who qualifies, how it works, and the ideas being discussed to expand the program in future years.
What Is the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD)?
The Permanent Fund was created in 1976 to ensure that future generations of Alaskans could also benefit from the state’s rich oil resources. Since 1983, the state has distributed a yearly cash payment to permanent residents through the PFD program.
This dividend comes from the profits earned on investments made using Alaska’s oil money. The program is managed by the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation (APFC), and the size of the check depends on how well the fund performs financially.
In late 2024, the fund’s value reached around $83 billion, which explains why the payment amount for 2025 is substantial.
When Can You Apply for the PFD Check?
The application window closes every year on March 31. For the 2025 cycle, the deadline has already passed, and more than 560,000 applications were submitted.
The amount of the check is announced in September, and payments are usually made in October. In some cases, late payments are issued in later months to cover pending applications or corrections.
2025 PFD Check Amount: $1,702 Per Person
The official PFD payment for 2025 is $1,702 per person. This amount includes:
- A base dividend from the Permanent Fund
- An energy relief payment, added since 2023 to help with rising energy costs
Each eligible resident receives the same amount, regardless of income or age.
Who Can Qualify for the PFD Stimulus Check?
To qualify for the Alaska PFD, you must:
- Have lived in Alaska for at least one full year before applying
- Be physically present in the state for at least 72 hours in the past two years
- Not have been convicted of serious crimes in the last year
If these conditions are met, you are eligible to receive the PFD check.
Can the PFD Program Be Expanded?
There are several ideas being discussed in Alaska to increase or secure more funding for the PFD program:
- Reallocating state funds to make the PFD a priority in the annual budget
- Partnering with international financial organizations like the FAO or IDB, though this could increase public debt
- Raising taxes on oil companies, a proposal that has been rejected in past public votes due to concerns it might drive away business and investments
These proposals are under discussion, but for now, the current funding model continues based on oil revenues and investment returns.
How Is the PFD Amount Calculated?
The PFD amount changes every year based on:
- The performance of the Permanent Fund investments
- State policies and decisions
- Total number of eligible residents who applied
Once the final earnings are calculated, a fixed percentage of the fund’s income is distributed equally to all eligible residents.
The Alaska PFD check is a rare and valuable program that directly shares natural resource wealth with citizens. In 2025, eligible Alaskans will receive $1,702 each, helping them cover daily costs, energy bills, or save for the future. While the process to apply is simple, it’s important to meet the eligibility criteria and file on time.
With over 730,000 residents benefiting each year, the PFD remains one of the most direct forms of economic support in the U.S.
