Permanent Fund Dividend, does it sound familiar? Maybe if you are from Alaska, it does. This is Alaska’s PFD and it’s very important for people living in the state. Many of them are paying attention to everything that has to do with this payment since it’s a significant economic support. However, it might not be easy to understand for everybody, that’s why we are here to explain it very simply. So, let’s get started.
Alaska’s PFD
This is an annual payment people who live in Alaska receive as long as they meet certain requirements. We are not talking about emergency aid, a federal stimulus or a special government check. Basically, it’s a fund created in Alaska many years ago, so that citizens of the state could receive part of the profits earned from natural resources, especially oil.
This fund started thanks to a decision made by voters in 1976. At that moment, it was established that part of the money the state earns with activities like extraction of oil in Prudhoe Bay must be kept, and then divided among citizens. With the passage of time, this fund has become a way of sharing the benefits from natural resources with the people who live there.
Requirements
To be able to receive Alaska’s PFD payment, you need to meet certain strict rules. This money is not sent to anybody, it’s a benefit thought for those who really live in the state. Let’s have a look at the main requirements:
- No felony convictions: anyone who committed a felony during the base year is not eligible to receive the PFD payment.
- Full residency: the person applying for the PFD must have lived in Alaska the entire previous year of the application. So, if you want to receive the 2025 PFD (which is paid in 2026), you must have lived in Alaska the entire 2024.
- Intention to remain in Alaska permanently: you must live more than a year in the state, having a real intention of continuing living there permanently is key.
- Being out of the state: if you leave the state for a long time, you could lose the possibility of receiving the PFD. In general, spending more than 180 days out of the state may disqualify you if it’s not for reasons such as studies, medical treatment, or active military service.
PFD payment dates in 2026
For the 2025 dividend, which will be paid this year, there is already a definitive schedule. What’s more, it has been confirmed that the amount will be $1,000 per eligible person. Here are the dates:
- January 15, 2026: this payment is for people whose status in the system was listed as “Eligible-Unpaid” by January 7.
- February 19, 2026: this date is for those who reach eligible status by February 11.
- March 19, 2026: this final round is for those whose applications receive approval by March 11.
These three dates cover the main groups of residents who are approved at various times throughout the review process.
Application deadline for the 2026 dividend
While the PFD payments of 2025 are made, the period to apply for the 2026 dividend also starts. This payment will be sent in 2027, but it’s based on the 2025 residency.
The application deadline goes from January 1 to March 31 of 2026. Those who don’t submit their application within these dates will not be able to receive the payment, because the state does not extend the deadline.
So…
Understanding the payment schedule and application deadlines is essential. With this simple explanation, anyone can understand how the PFD works and what steps are necessary to participate each year.