What is the $1,702 Stimulus Check?
The term “$1,702 stimulus check,” which is gaining popularity in 2025, is not related to COVID-19 relief or any federal stimulus program. Instead, it describes a one-time payment that the state of Alaska provides through its Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) program. The state invests its oil revenue and uses the profits each year to pay eligible Alaskans.
• Breakdown of the $1,702
• In 2025, the total amount allocated to eligible Alaskans was $1,702, which comprised:
• $1,403.83 as the base dividend
• A supplemental energy assistance bonus worth $298.17
As inflation and gasoline prices rose, the state gave this sum to help residents with their living and energy costs.
Who is Eligible?
Not all individuals qualify for the $1,702 payment. It is exclusively available to residents of Alaska who satisfy certain criteria. To qualify for the 2025 distribution, individuals must:
i) I lived in Alaska for the entire year 2023.
ii) I plan to stay in Alaska for an indeterminate amount of time.
iii) I have never been charged with a felony or incarcerated.
iii) I do not currently reside in any other state or country.
iv) Have spent a predetermined number of days physically in Alaska (or have an authorized leave of absence).
v) Have filed their application prior to the deadline, which is typically March 31 of each year.
vi) As long as their guardians meet the conditions, both adults and children are qualified.
It was paid for when?
Authorities made the funds available in installments in 2025:
• June 18: Residents who finished their applications by the start of June were paid.
• July 17: Those who applied earlier but did not receive the first installment received the second one.
• August 21: The authorities allowed and paid those who fulfilled the conditions by the middle of August.
• To ensure accurate verification and prevent fraud or delays, the government set up these spaced payment dates.
Is It a Federal Stimulus?
No, the requirements for a federal stimulus check are not met by this payment. In order to invest the state’s oil earnings and distribute a percentage of the profits to citizens annually, the Alaska government established the Alaska Permanent Fund in the late 1970s. This payment is made directly by the state, so residents outside of Alaska are not eligible to receive it. Residents should also avoid confusing it with previous federal initiatives like the COVID-19 stimulus handouts.
Is the Payment Taxable?
Indeed, under U.S. federal law, the payment is considered taxable income even if it is not made by the federal government. When submitting their federal income taxes, recipients must declare the tax document (document 1099-MISC) that they will receive.
Nevertheless, the state of Alaska does not impose taxes on the dividend itself, as there is no state income tax.
How Residents Use It
The $1,702 payout can serve as a financial uplift for numerous families. Common uses include:
i) Covering heating and electricity expenses
ii) Paying off credit card balances
iii) Purchasing school supplies or clothing
iv) Saving for emergencies
v) Traveling or making larger purchases
vi) Some individuals also choose to invest it or allocate it towards their children’s college savings.
Why Is This Money Being Given by Alaska?
One of the most distinctive in the US is the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend. The idea that natural resources belong to humanity is reflected in it. Alaskans gain from the state’s use of oil investment profits. Families in both urban and rural areas have benefited from this strategy, which many view as a scaled-down version of universal basic income.
FAQs
Q1. What’s the deal with the $1,702 stimulus check?
The $1,702 payment is actually the 2025 Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD), not a government stimulus check.
Q2: Who can get the $1,702 payment?
To qualify for the $1,702 payment, you need to be an Alaska resident who has lived in the state for all of 2023 and meet additional eligibility criteria, like not having certain criminal convictions.
Q3: Do I have to pay taxes on this payment?
Yes, you do. Even though the payment comes from the state of Alaska, the $1,702 is taxable at the federal level and you’ll need to report it on your income tax return.
Q4: Is this payment a new federal stimulus check?
Nope, the $1,702 payment isn’t a federal stimulus check like the COVID-19 relief payments. It’s a dividend funded by Alaskan oil revenues.
When were the eligible recipients of the $1,702 rewards disbursed by officials?
The 2025 PFD payments were issued in three different waves:
June 18
July 17
August 21.
Once your application is accepted, officials analyze it and designate it as “Eligible – Not Paid.” This allows them to establish the precise dates of payment.