PFD filing period ending soon

The Permanent Fund Dividend filing period is ending soon.

The PFD legislation was first enacted in 1980, establishing a program giving every adult Alaska resident $50 for every year of residency since statehood in 1959 and also establishing a dividend fund. Payment of dividends was stopped when there was a challenge to the constitutionality of the program. Later, when the law was found to be unconstitutional, the legislature passed legislation authorizing equal dividend payments to all six-month residents, with the first dividend payments going out in June of 1982.

The 2022 PFD application period opened Jan. 1 and will close on March 31. Applications can be submitted and signed electronically at mypfd.alaska.gov. As of noon on Monday, over half a million applications have been filed.

Applications can be submitted online or are available at distribution centers across the state. Distribution centers in Wasilla include Wasilla Public Library, the Wasilla Legislative Information Office, Wasilla Area Senior Inc., and the Kenai Community Library. PFD application distribution centers in Palmer include Palmer Seniors Citizens Center Inc.

Other centers include the Houston City Office, the Willow Public Library, Big Lake Public Library, and Sutton Public Library.

People eligible to receive a 2022 PFD must have been an Alaska resident for all of 2021, have not claimed residency in another state or country since Dec. 31, 2020, or have been sentenced or incarcerated at any time in 2021 as a result of a conviction, among other requirements.

Also, adults and children, are required to complete one application each. An example is a husband and wife with 3 children will submit a total of 5 applications. Applications submitted with the intent of being for more than one individual will only be considered for one applicant.

All applicants can check the status of their application by logging on to the division’s “myPFD”. If you apply by paper, you need to allow 4 to 6 weeks for processing before checking the status of your application.

For more information, visit pfd.alaska.gov

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Katie Stavick at katie.stavick@frontiersman.com