Americans to receive $1,702 from July 17; Check Alaska Permanent Fund eligibility and how to claim

Time of India

5 days ago

Hundreds of thousands of Alaskans will receive $1,702 stimulus-style payments in the coming days as part of the state's Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) program.
The payments will be distributed starting July 17, 2025, to applicants with an 'Eligible-Not Paid' status as of July 9, according to the official PFD Division. A second payment round is scheduled for August 21 for applications that qualify by August 13.
The amount of the dividend varies each year based on factors such as oil prices and the fund's investment performance.
The $1,702 payment includes:
A $1,440 annual dividend, and
A $262 energy relief bonus is due to elevated oil prices.
The
Alaska Permanent Fund
was established in 1976 to share state oil revenues with residents. Since the early 1980s, the fund's earnings have been distributed annually to eligible residents through the PFD program.
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This year's payment marks a 30 percent increase from the $1,312 check issued in 2023.
Eligibility requirements
To qualify for the 2024 payment:
Applicants must have lived in
Alaska
for the full 2023 calendar year.
They must not have claimed residency in another state or country or received residency-based benefits elsewhere since December 31, 2023.
Applicants must not have been convicted or incarcerated for a felony or certain misdemeanors during the eligibility period.
Residents must not have been absent from Alaska for more than 180 days in 2023, with some exceptions.
The application deadline for the 2024 dividend closed on March 31. Applications for the 2026 dividend will open between January 1 and March 31, 2026.
Roughly 600,000 Alaskans receive the dividend each year. The payments are intended to support residents with basic needs, especially during times of economic hardship or high utility costs.
Others use the funds to cover heating costs during Alaska's long winters.
While the federal government ended its pandemic-era stimulus checks, Alaska's PFD remains a rare form of recurring direct cash support.
To check payment status, residents can visit pfd.alaska.gov and log in via MyAlaska.
FAQs
What is the purpose of the stimulus check?
A stimulus check is a direct payment from the government to individuals, designed to boost spending and provide financial relief, especially during economic downturns or emergencies.
Are other states offering stimulus-style or guaranteed income payments?
While Alaska's Permanent Fund Dividend is unique for being statewide and funded by natural resources, similar local programs include:
The Magnolia Mother's Trust (Mississippi): Provides $1,000 per month for 12 months to low-income Black mothers, the longest-running guaranteed income program in the US.
Abundant Birth Project (California): Offers pregnant people of color in San Francisco up to $1,000 monthly for 12-18 months to improve maternal and child health.
Who typically receives stimulus checks?
Stimulus checks are usually targeted at low- to middle-income individuals and families, although eligibility can vary based on income, residency, and tax filings.