Who Will Receive the $1,000 Stimulus Checks on December 18?

Alaska residents are set to receive the final December payout from the state’s oil-revenue sharing initiative on December 18, delivering $1,000 stimulus checks during peak winter expenses.

This payment represents one of the last distributions under the 2025 Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD)—a program deeply embedded in the state’s economic framework and public debate.

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The Alaska Department of Revenue confirmed that applications marked “Eligible–Not Paid” by December 10 are included in this round. These claims were largely delayed due to verification checks, appeals, or additional reviews, following earlier large-scale disbursements made in October and November.

Residents who selected direct deposit should see funds arrive on December 18, while those opting for paper checks can expect delivery by mail shortly afterward.

PFD Stimulus Checks Shrink Amid Rising Living Costs

The 2025 PFD amount of $1,000 is notably lower than last year’s $1,702 payment, a reduction that comes as inflation continues to push up the cost of essentials such as food, fuel, and utilities.

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For many households—especially in remote and rural areas where prices are significantly higher—the dividend is less of a bonus and more of a financial lifeline. Families often rely on the PFD to cover heating oil, winter groceries, and seasonal obligations.

State projections indicate that more than 600,000 Alaskans will receive the 2025 dividend, injecting over $600 million into the local economy. Economists frequently describe the PFD as a regional stabilizer, helping sustain small businesses and essential services during winter months.

Ongoing Political Battle Over the PFD Formula

The $1,000 payout sits at the center of a long-running political dispute. Under existing law, the traditional statutory formula—based on a five-year average of returns from the $73 billion Alaska Permanent Fund—would have produced a dividend exceeding $3,000 for 2025.

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However, since 2016, lawmakers have bypassed this formula, choosing instead to set the PFD amount annually through the state budget to help fund education, healthcare, and public safety.

This divide between a full statutory dividend and a reduced legislatively approved payment continues to shape Alaska’s fiscal debates. A citizen-led petition advocating for a return to the original formula gathered nearly 16,000 signatures this fall, arguing that residents are being denied their fair share.

Governor Mike Dunleavy, who has consistently supported the statutory approach, recently proposed a record $3,650 PFD in his draft 2027 budget. While largely symbolic at this stage, the final decision rests with the legislature. As petition organizer and disabled veteran Stephen Spann stated, the law “was never repealed or changed.”

How the Alaska Permanent Fund Is Performing

The Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation (APFC), which oversees the fund, continues to emphasize a long-term, disciplined investment strategy. For Fiscal Year 2025, the fund posted a 4.94% return, while maintaining a strong five-year average return of 9.59%.

Each year, investment earnings are partially transferred to the Earnings Reserve Account (ERA), which finances both the PFD and contributions to the state budget. This system is designed to preserve the fund’s principal for future generations while supporting current needs.

The APFC also announced that myPFD and RPFI systems will be temporarily unavailable for year-end maintenance from 4:00 PM on December 26, 2025, until 9:00 AM on January 1, 2026, as preparations begin for the 2026 PFD filing season.

Key Eligibility Rules Residents Should Remember

PFD eligibility is based on strict residency requirements. Applicants must have lived in Alaska throughout all of 2024 with a clear intent to remain in the state indefinitely and must not have claimed residency elsewhere. Certain felony convictions or extended incarceration during the qualifying year may also result in disqualification.

Residents can review their application status through the official myPFD portal. Applications still marked “In Review” after December 10 may qualify for the next payment batch scheduled for January 15, 2026, provided they reach “Eligible–Not Paid” status by January 7.

The December 18 payout brings the 2025 Alaska PFD cycle closer to completion, offering timely financial relief during one of the most expensive seasons of the year.

While the $1,000 dividend falls short of what many residents believe the law allows, it remains a vital source of income for hundreds of thousands of Alaskans.

As debates over the dividend formula intensify and future budgets take shape, the PFD continues to stand at the crossroads of economic stability, political priorities, and Alaska’s long-term fiscal identity.

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