Alaska residents have just a few hours left to apply for the 2025 Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD). The deadline to submit your application is Monday, March 31, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. local time. If you’re applying online, your form must be completed by midnight. If you’re applying by mail, it must be postmarked no later than March 31.
The official website, pfd.alaska.gov, provides access to the online form and full application details. If you qualify, this annual payout could give your household a welcome financial boost.
Program Offices Open on March 31 Despite Seward’s Day Holiday
Even though March 31 falls on Seward’s Day, PFD offices will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to accept in-person applications. This gives residents a final chance to submit their forms before the deadline.
Officials are urging residents to check their eligibility before applying. To qualify, you must:
- Have lived in Alaska all of 2023 without interruptions
- Not have any felony convictions in the last year
- Not have spent more than 180 days outside Alaska (except in special situations)
These rules are in place to ensure that the benefit goes to long-term Alaska residents with strong ties to the state.
Why the PFD Matters and How It’s Funded
The Permanent Fund Dividend has been in place since 1976, and it’s funded through Alaska’s oil revenue and investment earnings. It helps residents by sharing the state’s natural wealth, and the money is used by families for everything from bills to savings.
Over the years, payments have ranged from $1,000 to $3,284, depending on oil income and state spending. In 2023, residents received a base dividend of $1,403 plus a $298 energy bonus. This year, no extra bonus is planned, and the exact payment amount will be announced in May when the budget is approved.
How Many People Have Applied So Far?
As of Friday, March 28, over 564,000 Alaskans had applied for the 2025 PFD, according to the Department of Revenue. Last year, 624,489 people received payments totaling over $1 billion.
Experts say a higher number of applicants and lower oil revenue might reduce the payout this year. The final amount and the list of approved recipients will be shared in September 2025.
Other Key PFD Information for 2025
Since 2017, the PFD amount has been decided through political negotiation, not the original legal formula used before 2016. Lawmakers now balance PFD payments with funding for education, public services, and infrastructure, which they say helps secure Alaska’s future.
Also, the system now uses biometric verification and anti-fraud tools to prevent duplicate applications. The eligibility process takes up to 8 weeks, and anyone denied can file an appeal until December 31.