ESTABLISHING RESIDENCY
The following information is a general guideline. The Permanent Fund Dividend Division cannot determine eligibility without a completed application.
An individual's intent to establish residency, remain indefinitely in Alaska, or to return to Alaska and remain indefinitely is demonstrated through the establishment and maintenance of customary ties indicative of Alaska residency and the absence of those ties in another state or country. 15 AAC 23.143. Acts that are required by law or contract or are routinely performed by temporary residents of Alaska are not by themselves evidence of residency. An applicant is responsible for providing proof of residency ties. An individual may not become a resident while absent from Alaska. Additional information is available for students and military members.
Physical presence in Alaska is not, by itself, sufficient to establish residency. Before January 1 of the qualifying year, an individual must have taken at least one step beyond physical presence in Alaska to establish residency. Applicants must provide proof of residency showing intent to remain indefinitely in Alaska. Review the table below for common acceptable residency ties as well as those that are not considered residency ties for PFD purposes. Proof in the applicant's name proving one step beyond physical presence per 15 AAC 23.143(c) must have been obtained prior to the qualifying year.
ACCEPTABLE PROOF (Provide a copy) | UNACCEPTABLE PROOF |
✔ Moving Household belongings to Alaska:
| ✘ Employer paid moving expenses |
✔ Lease or rental agreement in applicant’s name, signed by the applicant; cancelled rent checks or rental receipts | ✘ Military provided housing |
✔ Proof of Purchasing a home (mortgage statement, escrow papers) | ✘ Employer provided housing |
✔ Moorage/Boat Harbor fees for primary residence vessel | ✘ Utilities bills, bank statements and mail with a home address |
✔ Employment Proof (W2, paystub) | ✘ Unemployment records |
✔ An Alaska Driver’s License, ID or Instructional Permit | ✘ Marriage license, hunting/fishing license, court records |
✔ Vehicle Registration (Automobile or Truck) | ✘ Motor home, recreational vehicle, motorcycle, watercraft |
✔ State of Alaska benefits that require a claim of residency in Alaska (Senior Benefits, Chronic and Acute Medical Assistance, General Relief, Interim Assistance, Alaska Housing, Energy Assistance, Old Age Assistance) | ✘ Food Stamps, Medicaid, Denali Kid Care, Indian Health Services, WIC (Federal programs are not considered residency ties for PFD purposes) |
✔ Voter Registration | ✘ Letter from a friend or acquaintance stating you live in Alaska |
In evaluating whether an individual claiming Alaska residency has demonstrated intent to remain indefinitely in Alaska, the department will consider whether or not an individual has:
- taken steps to establish Alaska residency and sever residency in a previous state or country;
- ties to another state or country that indicate continued residency in the other state or country; and
- taken other action during the qualifying year, through the date of application, that is inconsistent with an intent to remain in Alaska indefinitely.
Contact us if you have specific questions regarding the establishment of residency as defined by the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend Program.
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