Alaska’s Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) is a yearly cash payment given to eligible residents, funded by the state’s oil revenues. In 2025, the amount has increased to $1,702, a 30% rise from the previous year, sparking fresh political debates over how the state should manage these funds in the long run.
While Alaskans await their payout, there’s also a nationwide urgency: the deadline to claim the $1,400 federal stimulus refund (from 2021) is fast approaching. Millions of Americans could still receive this money—if they file their 2021 tax return by April 15, 2025.
Alaska’s 2025 PFD Payment: What’s Included?
Starting from April 17, 2025, eligible Alaskans will receive a PFD payment of $1,702. This total amount includes:
$298.17 to help cover energy costs
$1,403.83 as a direct payment
The Permanent Fund Dividend has been around since 1976, created to share the profits from Alaska’s oil wealth with its residents. But as oil revenues drop and education needs rise, the future of the fund is becoming uncertain.
How to Qualify for Alaska’s 2025 PFD
To receive the 2025 PFD, you must meet all of the following:
Be a permanent Alaska resident for at least one full year
Be physically present in Alaska for at least 72 hours during the last two years
Have no felony conviction during the past year
If you applied for the PFD by March 31, 2024, you’ll get your payment on April 17, 2025. If not, you might still be able to claim a past payment under the “Eligible-Not Paid” status.
Challenges Facing Alaska’s PFD Program
The increase in this year’s dividend is good news for residents, but it also raises serious concerns about the fund’s long-term sustainability. Lawmakers are now debating three options:
Use emergency savings (requires a two-thirds vote in Congress)
Take more money from the Permanent Fund (needs a simple majority but may harm the state’s credit rating)
Increase taxes on oil companies (could bring in $340 million yearly, but Governor Dunleavy opposes it)
At the moment, the final decision on future payments is still pending.
Americans Outside Alaska: Claim Your $1,400 Stimulus Before April 15!
While Alaskans get ready for their PFD, millions of Americans nationwide still have time to claim their $1,400 stimulus check from the third round of federal payments in 2021.
To receive this money, you must:
File your 2021 tax return by April 15, 2025
Have earned less than $75,000 (single) or $150,000 (married) in 2021
Even if you didn’t earn income or didn’t file a tax return back then, you can still file now and receive the money. This also includes people who rely on Social Security or SSI benefits.
You can also claim $1,400 for non-traditional dependents, such as college students or senior parents, if they were financially dependent on you in 2021.
What to Do If You Missed the Credit
If you already filed your 2021 return but forgot to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit, you can file an amended return to fix the issue. Since $2.4 billion is still unclaimed, the IRS is encouraging people not to wait until the last day. There may be delays or system overloads close to the deadline.
The IRS offers:
IRS Free File: For filing with zero cost
Online calculators: To check if you’re eligible
Step-by-step guides and community help centers across the country
also see:- Social Security Panic in the US: False Payment Suspension Messages Confuse Millions
