Alaska’s Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD), a one-time annual payment funded by the state’s oil revenues, has sparked heated legislative debate over the amount to be distributed to permanent Alaskan residents, who must meet certain requirements.
Starting in April 2025, residents will receive $1,702, which includes $298.17 for energy expenses and $1,403.83 as a direct payment. This amount represents a 30% increase from 2024, raising concerns about the fund’s long-term viability.
The 2025 stimulus check PFD amount: How to be eligible?
To qualify, residents must meet the following criteria: continuous residence in Alaska for the previous year, physical presence for at least 72 hours in the previous two years, and no felony convictions in the previous year.
Those who applied by March 31, 2024 will be paid on April 17, 2025. Those who did not apply may still claim previous payments using the “Eligible-Not Paid” status.
The PFD, founded in 1976, is under pressure from declining oil revenues and demands for educational funding. According to projections, if nothing changes, the dividend could fall below $1,000 by 2025. The legislature is debating three options: withdrawing emergency funds (CBR), extracting more resources from the permanent fund, or raising taxes on oil companies.
The first option requires approval by two-thirds of Congress, which is difficult given the political divide. The second, while viable with a simple majority, jeopardizes the state’s credit rating.
The third proposal includes Senate Bills 92 and 112, which aim to generate $340 million per year in tax breaks for companies like Hilcorp. However, Gov. Mike Dunleavy has vowed to veto any tax increases. The final amount of stimulus checks that will be distributed to Alaskan households has yet to be determined.
Americans from other states should claim a $1,400 check NOW
While there is debate about what should be done with the PFD stimulus checks, thousands of Americans across the country (including Alaska) can still claim up to $1,400 from the third round of stimulus checks approved in 2021.
The IRS is extending the deadline to apply for the Recovery Refund Credit until April 15, 2025. This benefit is available even to people who did not file taxes or received income from programs like Social Security or SSI.
Eligibility for this benefit is based on 2021 adjusted gross income (AGI) of $75,000 for individuals and $150,000 for couples. If these limits are exceeded, the credit will be gradually reduced.
Furthermore, those with non-traditional dependents, such as college students or seniors, can receive an additional $1,400 each. To gain access, you must file a tax return, even if you have no income, using free software such as IRS Free File.
Since December 2023, the IRS has sent 1 million automatic payments; however, this only applies to those who filed taxes but did not claim the credit.
Those who have never filed their returns must do so before the deadline. Community organizations provide free assistance, and the IRS website contains calculators and step-by-step instructions.
There are less than two weeks until the April 15, 2025 deadline. An estimated $2.4 billion is unclaimed. Experts warn about system saturation near the deadline and advise against waiting until the last day. Those sending returns by mail must use certified mail as proof.
