Alaska residents may soon receive a welcome boost to their finances this April in the form of a $1,312 stimulus check. While not a new payment approved for 2025, this is part of Alaska’s Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) distribution from 2024, now being sent to eligible individuals whose applications were recently approved. The PFD remains one of the most generous state-level financial supports in the United States, reflecting Alaska’s unique system of distributing oil revenues to its residents.
What Is the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD)?
The PFD is a financial distribution funded by Alaska’s oil revenue, designed to share a portion of the state’s resource wealth with its residents. Every year, eligible residents receive a set amount—$1,312 for the 2024 cycle. While most of these payments were disbursed in October 2024, some residents are only now receiving their funds in April 2025 due to delayed application approvals.
Who Is Receiving the $1,312 Stimulus Check in April?
The latest round of payments is specifically for those whose PFD applications were:
- Approved between April 10–17, 2025, or in earlier weeks but were not previously paid.
- Submitted and under review before March 31, 2024—new applicants are not included in this round.
This catch-up distribution ensures that residents who qualified but experienced administrative delays aren’t left behind.
Eligibility Criteria for the PFD
To receive the 2024 PFD payment, Alaska residents must meet the following requirements:
| Eligibility Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Residency | Must have been a permanent Alaska resident for all of 2023 |
| Absence from State | Cannot have left Alaska for more than 180 consecutive days, unless for education, military, or health reasons |
| Criminal Record | Must not have been convicted of a felony or certain misdemeanors during 2023 |
| Application Deadline | Application must have been under review by March 31, 2024 |
Additionally, a valid bank account or a request for a physical check is required to receive the funds.
How to Check Your PFD Payment Status
Residents can track the status of their PFD application through the Alaska Department of Revenue’s official website. You will need your application number or personal identification details. If you haven’t received your check and believe you’re eligible, make sure to:
- Confirm your application approval status
- Verify that your bank account details are correct
- Look for notices of administrative delays or errors
Why the PFD Matters
For many Alaskans, the $1,312 dividend is a critical source of financial relief. It can help offset the high cost of living in the state or cover emergency expenses. Unlike one-time federal stimulus checks, the PFD has a long-standing history of annual payouts, making it a reliable support system tied to the state’s natural resource economy.
Looking Ahead: 2025 PFD Payments
While this current batch finalizes the 2024 cycle, the next round of PFD payments is expected to begin in October 2025. The amount for 2025 is yet to be determined and may fluctuate depending on the fund’s performance and Alaska’s budgetary allocations.
This kind of consistent, state-level dividend program highlights Alaska’s unique approach to sharing its natural resource wealth—a model rarely seen elsewhere in the U.S.
FAQs:
Will new applicants receive a payment this April?
No. Only applications submitted before March 31, 2024, and approved recently are eligible for the April 2025 payment.
What if I moved out of Alaska in 2023?
You must have been a full-time Alaska resident during all of 2023 to qualify.
How long does it take for the physical check to arrive?
Physical checks may take several weeks longer than direct deposits.
