Among the diversity of financial supports provided by the United States Government, there are a couple of monetary stimuli that are characterized by requiring a minimum of requirements to become a beneficiary: the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD, in English) and the energy relief bonus.
Despite the simplicity in their acquisition process, it is important to note that both checks, whose final amount was set at 1,702 dollars in 2025, are designed exclusively for residents of the state of Alaska as a way to reward the region's oil wealth to its inhabitants.
How to apply for the PFD?
According to the Alaska Department of Revenue, the period to apply for the PFD started on January 1st and will remain open until March 31st of this year.
According to the same governmental entity, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Have resided in Alaska throughout 2024.
- Not have been absent from the state for more than 180 days, except in exceptional cases such as military service, medical treatment, or education outside the state.
- Not have been convicted of serious crimes during the past year.
The Alaska Department of Revenue states that, after the deadline for receiving applications, no more requests will be accepted. Regarding the distribution date of the stimuli, these will begin to be distributed in October of this year through direct deposits and later by physical checks.
The final amount of both stimuli was established based on the state government's calculation of 1,403.83 dollars for the PFD and 298.17 dollars for the bonus.
It is important to highlight that, according to the government of Alaska, only the PFD is considered taxable income by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), so beneficiaries must report it on their annual tax returns.
Regarding the bonus, this is tax exempt because it is considered a relief payment for the cost of living.
The PFD 2025 saw an increase of approximately 400 dollars compared to the stimulus granted in 2023, which was 1,300 dollars. However, it still remains below the 3,000 dollars granted in 2022, when there was an excess of oil revenues.
*This article has been automatically translated using artificial intelligence