HISTORICAL TIMELINE

1976

Voters pass a constitutional amendment to establish the Permanent Fund (Alaska Constitution, Article IX, Section 15).

1980

First Permanent Fund Dividend legislation enacted. The legislation established a program giving every adult Alaska resident $50 for every year of residency since statehood in 1959 and also established a dividend Fund. Payment of dividends were stayed under litigation (Zobel v Williams) challenging the constitutionality of the program.

1982

U.S Supreme Court ruled the 1980 legislation unconstitutional. In response to the litigation, the legislature passed legislation authorizing equal dividend payments to all six-month residents. The first dividend amount was $1,000. The first dividend checks were distributed June 14, 1982.

1983

Residency period defined as 6 months ending March 31. Filing due date established as June 30.

1985

Hold-harmless program funding for public assistance recipients changed from General Fund to Permanent Fund dividend Fund.

1988

January 1988 - Permanent Fund Dividend Division established. Positions with PFD responsibilities in Administrative Services (20), Enforcement (23), and Public Services (14) transferred to the new division. Enforcement and Public Services divisions eliminated.

1989

Legislature changed residency period from 6 months to 24 months. Individuals banned from assigning dividends (except to government agencies) by regulation. Felons not eligible for dividends. Physical presence requirement established.

1990

Superior Court ruled 24-month residency requirement unconstitutional and changed the residency requirement to 12 months (Lindly v Malone). Disclosure requirements established to print program costs on dividend checks.

1991

Check-off program for Advance College Tuition started. Percent of dividend subject to levy for private judgments increased from 50% to 55%. Fairbanks office closed in September 1991 (2 positions). One position each transferred to Anchorage and Juneau office. First receipt cards mailed.

1992

Individuals banned from assigning dividends (except to government agencies) by statute. Review Unit moved from Anchorage to Juneau.

1993

Direct-deposit program for full dividends established. Residency period changed to calendar year. Voter registration forms included with dividend application.

1994

Filing due date changed to March 31. Longevity Bonus Annuity check-off program began. Legislature authorizes the division to charge fee for processing claims and assignnments on dividends

1995

Longevity Bonus Annuity check-off program repealed.

1996

Misdemeanants with two prior crimes not eligible for dividends.

1997

Fairbanks office re-opened February 1997 (2 positions).

1998

Internet program implemented to allow applicants to check their status online. All allowable absences defined in statutes (statutory provision for commissioner to define absences by regulation repealed). Spouses accompanying eligible residents authorized as allowable absence. Authority to file for estates (persons who die during filing period) established. Physical presence changed to 72 hours every two years (effective for 2000 dividend). Percent of dividend subject to levy for private judgment increased from 55% to 80%.

1999

On-line application implemented, but applicants required to print and sign full application. Direct-deposit program expanded to include partial dividends. Document Processing Unit night shift (17 positions) eliminated. Emergency regulations detailing alien eligibility adopted.

2000

Imaging system and new data entry system implemented January 2000. First year that applications imaged. Improved on-line Internet application implemented March 2000 (applicants required to sign signature page only). Fairbanks office moved to Cushman Street location September 1.

2001

Review and Appeals units consolidated into the Dividend Enforcement, Review and Appeals Unit. Alaska Supreme Court rules that immigrant aliens who form intent to remain in Alaska qualify for dividends.

2002

Receipt letter replaces application receipt card. Department of Health and Social Services files applications electronically. Final year securities companies participated in the direct deposit program. Misdemeanants with one prior felony or two prior misdemeanors not eligible for dividend.

2003

Online applications exceed 100,000 (155,226). Electronic signature for online applications implemented March 20, 2003. All review cases worked by year-end. Fraud Investigations moved from Anchorage to Juneau.

2004

Receipt letters eliminated. Online application expanded to cover full application and supplemental schedule. Tri-fold direct deposit advice implemented. Selective Service registration part of the application.

2005

Online applications exceed 200,000 (211,464) and electronically signed applications exceed 100,000 (129,822). Time period for applicants to respond to requests for information changed to 30 days.

2007

Over 2/3 of Alaskans apply online (420,596) and electronically signed applications exceed 275,000 (276,203).

2008

One time resource rebate added to dividend. Payment timing moved up to September in response to high energy costs. New eligibility software program implemented.

2009

The Charitable Contribution program, Pick.Click.Give is implemented allowing applicants to donate all or part of the dividend to non-profit agenices.

2010

Community distribution centers are used for distributing paper applications for the first time. Postal delivery to every Alaskan mailbox is reduced to targeting mailings in light of over 75% of applicants filing online.

2013

The Division publishes a Facebook page to develop an additional interactive experience with Alaskans through social networking.

2014

The Division implements system changes to expand the options for Direct Deposit of dividend payments. Within months, the number of financial institutions selected by applicants for Direct Deposit jumps from 22 to over 350!

2015

The State of Alaska moved to utilizing an integrated accounting system, which greatly affected the PFD payment process. This transition was successful, and will continue to be utilized.

The Positive Payee Standards were implemented, creating a State Warrant that has security features to prevent fraud, as well as providing for a more 'uniform' State Warrant to be recognized across Alaska.

2017

A voter initiative passed, joining The Division of Elections and the Permanent Fund Dividend Division in what is termed the PFD Automatic Voter Registration process. This meant that every Adult Application filed beginning in March of 2017 registered the applicant to vote, with an 'opt out' notice being sent to the individual.

2018

In 2018, the PFD division created a new application specifically for tribal courts. In Alaska, there was a need for tribal courts to apply on behalf of a child. This occurred outside of State programs like H&SS. Because of this, we created an application catored to tribal courts so that they could continue ensuring that children in their custody are receiving their PFD.

2019

In 2019, the Education Raffle was put into the application as an option for individuals to give a portion of their PFD to benefit education statewide.

In 2019, individuals who utilize the online application as well as direct deposit will be paid in the first payment run in October. Those who utilize the paper application or request a paper check instead of direct deposit will be paid in the second payment run in October.