Moving to Alaska for Free

Do you become paid to live in Alaska?

While information technology's a mutual misconception that you tin can move there for gratis, you tin become paid to live in Alaska. The Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) takes the state's oil wealth and shares an annual portion with all permanent residents (both children and adults). So, if you're thinking near moving to Alaska, here are some things you lot'll need to know about how information technology all works and how to qualify for a payout.

How did the Alaska PFD start?

In 1969, 164 tracts of country-endemic country were auctioned to an oil company for $900 million — sparking much debate about where the coin should go. At the time, the governor pushed for it to become straight to the people, but the idea didn't catch on for several years. In 1976, the country constitution established the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation to manage the state's oil revenue, and in 1982, they began paying residents a portion of the funds.

Payment amounts

According to the Alaska Department of Revenue, PFD amounts take ranged from $331 to $ii,072 per person since 1982. The concluding several years' payouts were:

  • 2017: $one,100
  • 2018: $one,600
  • 2019: $1,606
  • 2020: $992

Fun fact: If a person were eligible for dividend checks since the programme began in 1982, they would take received $45,419.41 total!

How to get paid to live in Alaska

To qualify for the PFD each year, you:

  • Must take been a resident of Alaska during the entire calendar yr (January 1-December 31)
  • Must have the intent to remain an Alaskan for life
  • ​​​​​​​Can't have a claim to residency in any other state or country
  • Can't have been sentenced with a felony conviction, incarcerated for a felony conviction, or incarcerated for a misdemeanor (if convicted of a felony or two or more misdemeanors previously), for the calendar year
  • ​​​​​​​Can't have been absent-minded from Alaska for more than 180 days (except for an allowable absence, like college, medical treatment or war machine service)
  • ​​​​​​​Must be physically nowadays in Alaska for at to the lowest degree 72 consecutive hours during one of the ii previous years

Note: These requirements were correct at time of posting. Please check the Alaska Dept. of Revenue for the most recent eligibility requirements and qualifying dates.

For children, the eligibility is based on the parent or guardian (unless they are 18 or legally emancipated).

Non everyone who applies meets the criteria. In 2018 (the most recent yr with awarding data bachelor), 670,759 people applied, merely only 629,820 received payments. Earlier yous pack up with the intent of getting the dividend, brand certain you encounter the requirements.

Alaska residency requirements

The master eligibility requirement for the PFD is establishing residency. You can prove you're a resident of Alaska with intent to remain in one of several ways:

  • Moving household appurtenances to Alaska and providing a shipping receipt
  • ​​​​​​​Showing proof of:
    • A lease or rental agreement in the applicant's proper noun
    • home purchase
    • ​​​​​​​moorage/boat harbor fees (if living in a vessel)
    • employment, such as a W2 or paystub
    • Alaska driver'southward license or ID
    • vehicle registration (vehicle or truck, not motorbike or motorhome)
    • state benefits that require residency like Senior Benefits or Alaska Housing
    • ​​​​​​​voter registration

If yous show whatever intent to be a resident elsewhere — similar if you lot register to vote in another land or country or take actions that are deemed inconsistent with your intention to remain in Alaska indefinitely — the Alaska Department of Acquirement volition disqualify your awarding for the program. It's too of import to note that you can't become a resident while absent from Alaska (unless information technology'southward an allowable absence, like for the military machine or college).

Applying for the PFD

If you remember you lot authorize, yous can complete a paper or online application during the PFD application season (January 1st through March 31st). Every adult and child must utilise — so a husband and wife with iii kids volition submit five applications. Adults tin fill out and sign a child's application after completing their own. No matter how you submit your application, be certain and keep proof of filing by printing the "Congratulations" folio online, keeping a certified mail or delivery receipt for mail, or asking for a receipt if mitt-delivering the application.

Spending the money

You can spend the money withal you like! Many residents use it to offset the costs of living in the state, while others have vacations or salvage it for retirement or large purchases. The funds are not taxed by the state (because there'due south no statewide income tax), but residents exercise take to pay federal income revenue enhancement on the payments. It gets claimed as regular income for children and adults.

Accept questions?

If you take questions nearly eligibility, awarding or payments, you lot can contact the Alaska Department of Acquirement PFD Division online. And if you're gear up to move to the Final Frontier so you tin can get paid to live in Alaska, U-Pack ® tin help. We can motility you lot from whatsoever of the lower 48, Hawaii, Canada or Puerto Rico to Alaska. Go a gratuitous moving quote online or by calling 844-362-5303 844-594-3077 to get started. Permit us know in the comments if you have whatever questions about the procedure — nosotros're here to aid!