Every year, thousands of Alaska residents eagerly wait for an annual cash benefit known as the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD). This money comes from profits earned by oil companies in the state. The PFD program was created in 1976 and has been giving out payments since 1983. The amount each person gets changes every year based on how well the fund’s investments perform and decisions made by lawmakers.
By December 2024, the Alaska Permanent Fund had reached a value of almost $83 billion, showing how big and important this program has become for the state’s residents.
When Will the 2025 PFD Stimulus Checks Be Paid?
The PFD program follows a set yearly schedule. For 2025, all applications had to be submitted before March 31, 2024. A record-breaking 564,000+ people applied. As usual, the final amount of the dividend will be announced in September 2025. The first payments will start going out in October—just like in 2024, when direct deposits began on October 3, and paper checks followed soon after.
People who apply late or whose documents need extra review may receive their checks in March, April, or May of the following year, depending on when their eligibility is confirmed.
Who Can Get the 2025 PFD Check?
To be eligible for the PFD payment in Alaska, residents must meet these conditions:
- Must have lived in Alaska for the entire year before applying.
- Must have been physically present in the state for at least 72 hours in the last two years.
- Must not have been convicted of serious crimes during the past year.
If you submitted your documents before March 31, 2024, and meet these rules, you’ll receive your check as soon as payments begin in October 2025.
How Much Will the PFD Check Be in 2025?
The exact amount for the 2025 PFD has not been announced yet. It will depend on two main things: how well the fund performs financially and how many people apply.
In 2024, residents received $1,702, which included:
- $1,403.83 as the regular dividend
- $298.17 as an energy relief payment (a one-time bonus to help with rising energy costs)
This was a big jump from 2023, when the dividend was $1,312, meaning a 29.7% increase. However, it’s still less than the record $3,284 paid in 2022, which included a large energy subsidy.
Could the PFD Get Bigger If Oil Taxes Increase?
Yes, possibly. Two new bills in Alaska’s legislature are looking at ways to increase tax collections, which could boost future PFD payments.
- Senate Bill 92 (SB 92) targets oil companies like Hilcorp, which currently don’t pay corporate tax because of their “S” corporation status. If passed, this bill could raise about $100 million a year until 2030.
- Senate Bill 113 wants to tax online businesses selling in Alaska, expecting to bring in $25–65 million per year. While it’s not directly related to oil, it’s another way the state is trying to increase revenue.
However, not everyone supports these changes. Some in the oil industry warn it may lead to less investment. Still, lawmakers argue that Alaska needs to find new ways to fix its growing budget deficit.
A similar idea, Measure 1, was rejected by voters back in 2020, showing how divided public opinion is when it comes to taxing the oil industry.
The Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) is a unique and valuable program that provides yearly financial support to qualified residents. While the 2025 amount is still unknown, the application process has already closed, and payments are expected to begin in October, following the usual timeline.
With oil revenues playing a big role in determining payment amounts, ongoing legislative efforts to increase taxes could shape the future of the program. Whether the state raises taxes or not, one thing is clear: Alaskans continue to count on the PFD as a helpful financial boost each year.
