$1,312 checks in March: who will receive them and in what state?
In order to avoid migration out of Alaska to other states in the country, some residents are eligible for a check for $1,312. Who receives them?
The United States has various economic assistance programs, whether at the federal or state level. In Alaska, the government is distributing checks for $1,312 this year as part of the State Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD). Through this program, which has been in effect more than four decades, it seeks to offer an incentive for families to stay and live in the state and not emigrate to some other territory of the United States.
Financing of the PFD is made possible by investment income from oil and mineral development, so the amount of payments varies from year to year, mainly depending on income from the oil industry which can be at the mercy of market swings. In 2024, the payments issued - corresponding to the year 2023 - are $1,312 per eligible person.
Who will receive the $1,312 dollar checks in Alaska?
The current distribution represents applications approved the previous year. Currently, the state is sending the second round of 2023 payments for beneficiaries with “Eligible-Not-Paid” status. It is expected that by March 21 this tranche of money will have been issued in its entirety, while the third and final rounds of payments will occur from April 18 and May 16.
How to request checks for the 2024 PFD?
The PFD application is now open. If you wish to apply for the program, you can do so online through the Alaska Department of Revenue website, or, if you prefer, you can go in person to one of the PFD offices in the state. Before submitting your application, make sure you meet the eligibility requirements, which are the following:
- Be a resident of Alaska
- Intend to remain in the state permanently
- Not having been outside of Alaska for more than 180 days during the year
- Be physically present in the state for a minimum of 72 consecutive hours in 2022 or 2023
- Not having claimed residency in another state or country
- Not having been sentenced due to a felony conviction during 2023
- Not be incarcerated on a felony conviction at any time during 2023 or for a misdemeanor conviction in Alaska if convicted of a prior felony or two or more prior misdemeanors since January 1, 1997
Since PFD funding varies from year to year, the amounts for the 2024 checks, which will be issued in 2025, are not yet known. However, the deadline to apply is on March 31 by 11:59 pm.
Governor Mike Dunleavy has proposed budget that would give residents a dividend of around $3,500 but lawmakers have said that is a “no-go” according to Alaska Public Media. In order to fit within a balanced budget, they are considering a 25% dividend. This would result in a payment next year of roughly $1,350 per recipient according to recent estimates by the Legislative Finance Division.