Thousands to get $1,702 in extra income—but only if they meet these rules
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A long-standing tradition in one northern state is once again making its rounds, and residents might want to check their bank accounts—or their mailboxes.
This annual financial support program has deep roots in resource sharing and has helped ease the burden of everyday costs for hundreds of thousands of people.
While it may sound similar to the pandemic-era federal payouts, this one’s got a very different origin and purpose. And with this year’s amount going up, many are already preparing for how they’ll use it.
The payment in question stems from a decades-old program built on one state’s oil and natural resource revenue.
The idea was simple but powerful—save a portion of those earnings for the long-term benefit of residents. That’s how the Alaska Permanent Fund was born in 1976.
Years later, state lawmakers decided it wasn’t enough to just save—it was time to share.
Thus came the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD), a payout issued annually to qualified residents. The amount varies year to year depending on oil prices and fund performance.
This year’s dividend is set at $1,702, which marks a 30% increase from last year’s $1,312 check.
That total includes a $1,440 standard dividend and a $262 one-time energy relief bonus due to high oil revenues and strong investment returns.
For many families, it’s more than a nice surprise—it’s essential.
So, when is the money coming? Residents who submitted a PFD application for 2024 or earlier and whose status is listed as "Eligible–Not Paid" as of July 9, 2025, will receive their payments on July 17, 2025.
A second wave of payments is scheduled for August 21, 2025, for eligible applicants whose status remains unpaid as of August 13, 2025.
Missed the deadline to apply this year? The next application window runs from January 1 through March 31, 2026.
Now, not just anyone can qualify for this payout. You must have been a full-year resident of Alaska during 2023.
You must not have claimed residency elsewhere or received benefits tied to another location after December 31, 2023.
Applicants must not have been convicted of a felony in the past year and must not have been incarcerated for a felony or certain misdemeanors.
In addition, most people must have spent at least 185 days physically present in Alaska last year, although exceptions are made for certain absences such as military service, education, or medical needs.
Each year, around 600,000 residents—about 80% of the state’s population—receive the payment. For many, it’s a matter of pride and survival.
Read also: Monthly payments with no strings? This program is changing how we think about financial help
At first glance, this may sound like the stimulus checks most Americans received during the pandemic. But there are major differences.
Unlike federal stimulus payments, which were emergency-based and temporary, the PFD is a recurring payout rooted in state-managed natural wealth.
And while stimulus checks came from federal tax dollars, the PFD draws its funding from Alaska’s oil and gas revenue. It’s issued annually (with some fluctuations) and is exclusive to Alaskan residents.
Meanwhile, other states and cities are trying out their own versions of guaranteed support. California, for example, is testing the Abundant Birth Project, which gives $1,000 monthly payments to certain new and expectant mothers.
These pilot efforts are aimed at improving long-term health and financial outcomes.
Read also: Could you qualify for a stimulus check? Here’s what to know and how to find out
If you're not in Alaska or didn't qualify this year, there may still be ways to receive other forms of unexpected income.
Some states are issuing surprise checks funded by settlement dollars, and there’s an estimated $5 billion in unclaimed property nationwide.
You can check your state’s treasury site or visit the federal government’s unclaimed money portal to see if anything’s waiting for you.
Read next: Unlock up to $2,000 a month for your family—No catch! Find out if you're eligible
Are you an Alaskan who’s received the PFD? How do you use your annual dividend? Or do you live elsewhere and wish your state had a similar program? Have you ever found “free money” through unclaimed property or a surprise check in the mail?
This annual financial support program has deep roots in resource sharing and has helped ease the burden of everyday costs for hundreds of thousands of people.
While it may sound similar to the pandemic-era federal payouts, this one’s got a very different origin and purpose. And with this year’s amount going up, many are already preparing for how they’ll use it.
The payment in question stems from a decades-old program built on one state’s oil and natural resource revenue.
The idea was simple but powerful—save a portion of those earnings for the long-term benefit of residents. That’s how the Alaska Permanent Fund was born in 1976.
Years later, state lawmakers decided it wasn’t enough to just save—it was time to share.
Thus came the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD), a payout issued annually to qualified residents. The amount varies year to year depending on oil prices and fund performance.
Over time, it has become a consistent and eagerly anticipated part of life for most Alaskans. Image source: Kateryna Hliznitsova / Unsplash
This year’s dividend is set at $1,702, which marks a 30% increase from last year’s $1,312 check.
That total includes a $1,440 standard dividend and a $262 one-time energy relief bonus due to high oil revenues and strong investment returns.
For many families, it’s more than a nice surprise—it’s essential.
So, when is the money coming? Residents who submitted a PFD application for 2024 or earlier and whose status is listed as "Eligible–Not Paid" as of July 9, 2025, will receive their payments on July 17, 2025.
A second wave of payments is scheduled for August 21, 2025, for eligible applicants whose status remains unpaid as of August 13, 2025.
Missed the deadline to apply this year? The next application window runs from January 1 through March 31, 2026.
Now, not just anyone can qualify for this payout. You must have been a full-year resident of Alaska during 2023.
You must not have claimed residency elsewhere or received benefits tied to another location after December 31, 2023.
Applicants must not have been convicted of a felony in the past year and must not have been incarcerated for a felony or certain misdemeanors.
In addition, most people must have spent at least 185 days physically present in Alaska last year, although exceptions are made for certain absences such as military service, education, or medical needs.
Each year, around 600,000 residents—about 80% of the state’s population—receive the payment. For many, it’s a matter of pride and survival.
Read also: Monthly payments with no strings? This program is changing how we think about financial help
At first glance, this may sound like the stimulus checks most Americans received during the pandemic. But there are major differences.
Unlike federal stimulus payments, which were emergency-based and temporary, the PFD is a recurring payout rooted in state-managed natural wealth.
And while stimulus checks came from federal tax dollars, the PFD draws its funding from Alaska’s oil and gas revenue. It’s issued annually (with some fluctuations) and is exclusive to Alaskan residents.
Meanwhile, other states and cities are trying out their own versions of guaranteed support. California, for example, is testing the Abundant Birth Project, which gives $1,000 monthly payments to certain new and expectant mothers.
These pilot efforts are aimed at improving long-term health and financial outcomes.
Read also: Could you qualify for a stimulus check? Here’s what to know and how to find out
If you're not in Alaska or didn't qualify this year, there may still be ways to receive other forms of unexpected income.
Some states are issuing surprise checks funded by settlement dollars, and there’s an estimated $5 billion in unclaimed property nationwide.
You can check your state’s treasury site or visit the federal government’s unclaimed money portal to see if anything’s waiting for you.
Read next: Unlock up to $2,000 a month for your family—No catch! Find out if you're eligible
