For millions of Americans living in Alaska and New York, the fall of 2025 promises a welcome financial boost in the form of state-funded stimulus payments. While the two programs differ in their origins, eligibility criteria, and payment structures, both are designed to provide meaningful relief to residents facing the unique economic challenges of their respective states.
Alaska’s Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) is perhaps the most well-known of the two, a fixture of state life since its creation in 1976. Funded by oil royalties and managed by the Alaska Permanent Fund, the PFD’s annual distribution has become an autumn ritual for many Alaskans. According to the Alaska Department of Revenue, the total PFD payment for the 2025 fiscal year is set at $1,702 per approved applicant. This figure combines a base dividend of $1,403.83 with a supplemental $298.17 earmarked specifically to help offset rising energy costs—a nod to the state’s notoriously high utility bills and harsh winters.
Roughly 600,000 Alaskans are expected to benefit from the 2025 PFD, a number that represents nearly 80% of the state’s permanent population of approximately 741,000. Not every resident qualifies: eligibility is tightly controlled by a set of residency and legal criteria. To receive the 2025 payment, individuals must have lived continuously in Alaska throughout 2024 and cannot have declared tax residency in any other state or country after December 31, 2023. Extended absences from the state—over 180 days in 2024—will invalidate eligibility, except for specific circumstances such as active military service, attending out-of-state colleges, or seeking specialized medical treatment unavailable in Alaska.
Applicants must also be free of felony convictions and must not have served jail time for any offense during 2024. Additionally, physical presence in Alaska for at least 72 consecutive hours in either 2023 or 2024 is mandatory. The application process for the 2025 PFD was open from January 1 to March 31, 2025, and, as the Department of Revenue has emphasized, there is no room for late submissions or corrections once the window has closed. All required documentation to prove residency and eligibility needed to be submitted during this period.
For those who navigated the paperwork successfully, the distribution process follows a clear schedule. The first mass payment is set for October 2, 2025, targeting applicants whose status is listed as “Eligible-Not Paid” after the September 18 review. A second disbursement will follow on October 23, based on statuses updated as of October 13. While most payments are made via direct deposit for speed and security, physical checks will be mailed shortly after. For those with pending applications from previous years, processing will commence on August 21, 2025. The Department of Revenue has also made it clear that updating bank and contact information by August 31, 2025, was a must to avoid unnecessary delays.
Unlike federal stimulus payments issued during the pandemic—which were funded by federal borrowing under the Trump administration—the PFD is supported entirely by profits from Alaska’s natural resources. This distinction is a point of pride for many Alaskans, who see the dividend as a tangible benefit of the state’s oil wealth. Should a recipient not see their payment on the scheduled date, the Department advises checking the “myPFD” portal at pfd.alaska.gov to confirm the application status and verify that banking or mailing information is current.
Meanwhile, on the opposite end of the country, millions of New Yorkers are preparing for their own round of state-funded relief via the STAR program. Short for the School Tax Relief program, STAR is designed to ease the burden of school taxes for eligible homeowners by providing direct tax credits or rebates. According to state officials, the next round of STAR stimulus payments is expected to be distributed in September 2025.
The STAR program comes in two flavors: Basic STAR and Enhanced STAR. The Basic STAR is available to most homeowners, while the Enhanced STAR offers additional benefits to seniors who meet more stringent requirements. To qualify for a STAR payment, applicants must own their primary residence in New York, meet income limits that vary depending on the program, and be enrolled in STAR. For many, enrollment is automatic, but those who have recently purchased a home or changed residences are urged to register promptly to ensure they don’t miss out on the benefit. Registration can be completed on the official state website, ny.gov/STAR.
Payment amounts under the STAR program vary based on location and eligibility. Homeowners can expect to receive between $350 and $600, while eligible seniors may see payments ranging from $700 to $1,500. These differences reflect the varying property tax rates and cost-of-living factors across the state. The program’s focus on primary residences ensures that the relief is targeted to those most in need, rather than investors or owners of second homes.
Officials have stressed the importance of keeping personal information up to date, as outdated records can result in delayed or missed payments. The process is generally automatic for those already enrolled, but new homeowners or those who have moved must take proactive steps to register and verify eligibility. The program’s income thresholds and other criteria are reviewed annually, so it’s wise for residents to double-check their status before the September payment window.
Both Alaska’s PFD and New York’s STAR program reflect broader trends in state-level economic policy, where local governments are stepping in to provide targeted relief amid ongoing national debates over inflation, energy prices, and the cost of living. While the mechanisms differ—direct cash payments in Alaska, tax credits in New York—the intent is the same: to offer residents a measure of stability and support as they navigate uncertain economic waters.
For Alaskans, the PFD is a deeply rooted tradition, a yearly windfall that helps cover everything from heating bills to school supplies. For New Yorkers, the STAR program is a lifeline that makes homeownership a little more affordable, especially for seniors on fixed incomes. In both cases, the upcoming payments are a reminder that, even in a nation as vast and varied as the United States, state governments can play a crucial role in shaping the economic fortunes of their citizens—one check at a time.
