The Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend is once again releasing their dividends for the year, and that is coming as a relief for many families in state, who could use every single extra cent to make ends meet. But the good news do not stop there, this year the payment has been increased to $1,702 per eligible person, which is about 30% more than what people got last year.
For those who are unaware, the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend was established when “Ten years after Alaska achieved statehood, oil was discovered on the North Slope and the young state was suddenly rich. With the understanding that Alaska’s new oil wealth would not last forever, residents created the Alaska Permanent Fund in 1976 so this non-renewable resource would provide benefits to current and future generations. Four years later, the Alaska Legislature created the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation to prudently manage the Fund. After more than 40 years of wise management, APFC has grown the Permanent Fund to more than $81.4 billion.”
Now, this does not mean that everyone living in Alaska gets a check automatically. As the brief history has explained, the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation manages the fund and keeps track of applications and whether or not someone receives their dividend depends on their application and eligibility status.
Eligibility for the Permanent Fund Dividend has a few specific requirements. First off all, you need to have been living in Alaska for the entire calendar year before you apply, and you need to plan to keep living there indefinitely. That means that while those who move to the state do have a right to access the money if they plan to stay, snowbirds or temporary residents will not qualify, even if they own property in the state. Also, applicants must have physically spent at least 72 hours in Alaska within the past 24 months.
On top of that, there are some criminal history restrictions, so, if you have been locked up for a felony in the past year, or you have more than two misdemeanors since 1997 on your record, you are likely out of luck.
The 2025 Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend
Unlike other years, this year’s dividend is not just a flat amount, as it has been split into two parts: $1,403.83 is the regular payment everyone expects, and the extra $298.17 is a special rebate to help ease the burden of high energy bills in the state, which accounts for the 30% extra that residents are receiving.
Applications for the 2025 payout were accepted from January 1 through March 31 and residents had the choice to apply online through [pfd.alaska.gov](https://pfd.alaska.gov) or to mail in a paper application. The hard deadline was April 1. Those who got their applications in on time and meet all the requirements will see their payment roll out later in the year. According to the official site, if someone applied for 2024 or earlier and their status is listed as “Eligible-Not Paid” as of June 11, 2025, then they will be getting their money on June 18.
This money is a huge relief for residents of the state, as it puts money directly into people’s hands that will be spent directly in the state’s economy, as things like heating and groceries are much more expensive in the area than in other parts of the country. Given their geographical disconnect, residents tend to spend the money locally, which also boosts small businesses and encourages regional investment.
That is why it is important for the authorities and the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation that only permanent residents receive the money, as it guarantees that it will be used to stimulate local economic development and not just be saved and spent elsewhere.