With spiraling fuel costs putting many Interior Alaska families in the unenviable position of having to choose between food or heat, the Governor and Legislature have decided to take action.
While it can't be described as a perfect solution... I'm not even sure one exists… the Governor and Legislature have made a step in the right direction. With fuel costs among the highest in the nation and winter fast approaching, participating Alaskan's can expect to see an additional $1,200 "resource rebate" included with their Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend this year. This one-time energy relief payout from the state treasury is the product of an energy relief package the Legislature passed two weeks ago.
While the amount of the 2008 PFD hasn't been announced yet, it's widely expected to be in the $2,100 range, per person. With the added resource rebate, each qualifying Alaskan will receive approximately $3,300. This will certainly be a help for those folks who are feeling the pinch from higher energy prices.
Rather than wait for the traditional early October disbursement, Governor Palin announced today the first round of checks would be deposited beginning September 12th. Those who signed up for direct deposit will begin receiving their checks in the first round followed by those receiving a check in the mail.
To be eligible for a PFD, you must have been an Alaska resident for the entire calendar year preceding the date you apply for a divide and intend to remain an Alaska resident indefinitely at the time you apply for a dividend. Unfortunately this will exclude some members of the armed forces stationed at Eielson Air Force Base and Fort Wainwright as many are new to Alaska. The men and women of the Army and Air Force who have met the eligibility requirements (and have applied) will receive a permanent fund dividend check. Read the eligibility requirements.
If you're in the military, to be eligible to receive a 2008 PFD check, you'll need to...
* have arrived in Alaska before January 1, 2007.
* Obtain an Alaska drivers license, register to vote, register a vehicle or sign a lease for off-post housing (or purchase a home). In other words, become part of the community.
* Maintain your Alaskan residency at all times during the qualifying year and intend to remain an Alaskan resident indefinitely.
* Claim Alaska as your state of legal residence with the military before January 1st of the year before the qualifying year.
Have specific questions? Contact your local Permanent Fund Dividend office:
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Elizabeth Ladewig 616 E Street Anchorage, Alaska 99501
Phone: (907) 269-0370 |
Fairbanks Marjorie Marlow 1005 Cushman Street Fairbanks, Alaska 99701
Phone: (907) 451-2820 |
Skyler Lashley 333 Willoughby Avenue Juneau, Alaska 99811-0461
Phone: (907) 465-2326 |
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It sounds like they are making an effort to help. However, I am feeling bad for the soldiers and their families. Too many hoops! Wasn't their basic training enough?
Did your parents teach you to share, or do I have to move to Alaska! LOL
Mel - Good Lord.. you're up early... or is it late? :)
Russell - Come on up... if you can stand the winters, we'll give you $1,200. haha
People will need all the help they can get this winter even where it is not as cold Jesse. This will certainly help out. There was an article recently in the paper about people who will need to choose between food and heat this winter. We use a wood stove and it saves so much but it is a lot of work. Have a great day.
JESSE - It's great that the Alaskan government is taking aggressive action to help people out. I'm sure that many people are going to have to make tough choices this winter. This should make the choices easier.
Jesse- Sleep is for sissies. Fortunately or unfortunately my father served in the military prior to me being born. He 'trained' his troop to get up early. Lucky for me my husband doesn't mind.
Jesse, this is great to see Alaska stepping up to the challenges facing us. I know it will help many folks out.
Jesse...
That's it. I'm moving to Alaska. I need a house, can you help me?
Wow! Where are the governors and legislators in other parts of the country? I suspect our Democratic Governor O'Malley and Democratic dominated Maryland Legislature are plotting an increase of state tax on gasoline... We have a motto here in Maryland "If you can dream it, we can tax it" - Congratulations to Alaska officials!
Jesse,
What if I'm an Alaskan at heart??? LOL, Thanks, Fran
Jesse, that is good for Alaska to step up and try something. My electric bill has more than double with all this fuel cost. We don't have your winters, but we have heat so the AC runs about 11 months of the year.
Hi Jesse,
I hope other state officals are taking notes! Way to go Alaska!
Jesse, I am with Margaret. Maryland is one of the most taxed states in the country, and guess what? Our taxes are going to go up again this year. Aren't they sweet. Good for Alaska. You guys really need it though since your winter is so much longer that ours and you need light more hours of the day than we do. Do you know what the average power bill is in Alaska? I would bet it is more than down in the lower 48? Stay warm!
Jesse, nice information. The hubby has never applied because we know we are leaving in 3 years. He meets the requirements except the last. I know several military that apply and then leave - just seems like cheating the system. I am all for the military receiving what is due them - but I am no way ok with "working the system"
Alaska is very lucky to be able to have the ability to offer this type of relief - not many states have that. Whenever I wonder about something in Alaska my hubby is so funny and just says "Well, remember you are in Alaska" and I just start laughing!! Alaska is its own country really! lol! We love it up there!
Jesse, at least the Alaskan state government is looking out for its citizens.
Alaskans are luck to have that program. Here they just want to tax you more and take what you don't have...
What does this generosity do to your state budget? Are taxpayers footing the bill -- where does the money come from? Of course, in CA, we can't even balance our budget. It's been overdue for 2 months at least.
Jesse,
How are your homes usually heated? How the cost of oil affected you? What is the cost of heating a modest home a month? With winter as severe and long as in Alaska, would this additional $1,200 per person run far?
BTW, per person, does it include everyone in the household or adults only?
Sorry, too many questions
Hopefully this amount will be enough to help families out! It's hard to imagine that "winter is fast approaching"
HI JESSIE!
I'm obviously living in the wrong place!! Got a room I could rent...forever??! That's very valuable info, especially for military.
Have a good one,
i was hoping to read op ed pieces on the next VP of the United States ???? -- well where is it :)
Jesse, I came looking for a follow-up to this post... about your Governor and her selection as VP candidate. Congratulations to all of Alaska for the attention this will bring to your great state. Through you, I've learned that Alaska is more than Ice, Darkness, and Sled Dogs - and now others around the world will learn through your Governor and her visibility on the national stage.
Jesse, I just recently heard about all of this. (Since your governor has recently been in the news recently... just a little bit) This was a cutting edge idea she had and I am sure many residents are going to be happy once the check comes in the mail.
Jesse~ That is great to be getting a rebate! Isn't Sarah Palin Great!! Too bad all the governors aren't like her- OH! well- that is why she will be the next Vice President :)
Elizabeth- I watched an interview with Sarah Palin and she said the dividends come from the oil dividends, you see, the Alaska state constitution says the resources belong to the people of Alaska. That is why neither the Feds nor the Oil companies really want to drill there. It is not about the environment, it is about the money. They don't want to share it with the Alaskans. And Palin makes sure they do.
Jesse- Am I right on this interpretation?
Go Sarah, Go Sarah!
Paddy - It's a shame when people have to make a choice like that. I know many, many folks who are on a budget plan (fuel payments spread out over entire year vs. as delivered) and it's not uncommon for them to be paying upwards of $950 or more every month for just their heating costs. It's crazy.
Adam - This will definitely help. I know a lot of folks will be very appreciative.
Mel - Your dad sounds like good people to me.
Missy - The folks who set this up really believed the resources of the state belonged to the people... and this is one way to give back to them.
Richard - We can definitely help. Heck, we've got an extra room. Bring Peyton and the gang and head on up.
Margaret - haha. It's a motto far too many government entities have adopted. We just repealed the gas tax here... temporarily.
Fran - You'll have to come freeze your behind off like the rest of us. :)
Frank - Your electric costs are comparable. I remember those years in the south well.
Cynthia - Me too... they could all learn something I would think.
Audrey - Our average light bill is about $300+/- a month in the winter... about 1/2 that in the summer. Fuel is by far our biggest expense... that and property taxes.
Jo - We see a lot of military folks claim the dividend. Many gloss over the "I intend to remain a resident" clause. It is a unique world up here isn't it? I'm sorry we missed you while you were up here, btw.
Gary - We applaud their efforts to keep government waste to a minimum.
Michael - We're still really, really well armed. haha. We despise taxes in a major way.
Elizabeth - The money comes from royalties from the sale of oil on the north slope. Roughly 25% of those royalties are placed in the Permanent Fund and managed by a semi-private corporation for dividend payouts to the citizens of Ak.
Jon - Most homes in the Interior are heated with fuel oil... there are pockets of homes with natural gas but we don't have a huge block because it's still trucked in... we don't have a pipeline for gas... yet. As for how far the $1,200 would go. For the typical house it would pay for between one and two months of heating oil. We burn roughly $500-600 a month in the winter but we have a new, very efficient house. We know a lot of people that go through as much as $1,400 or more a month. The rebate and dividend goes to every eligible man, woman and child in Alaska.
Pam - Believe me... I feel the same way.
Yvette - haha. You bet... pack your bags and head north.
James - I know, I know... I'm behind the curve aren't I?
Margaret - Thank you! We're very proud of Sarah and what's she's done and is doing for Alaska. We'll be sorry to lose her to the Vice Presidency but know she'll make one heck of a VP.
Stephen - It was a great move on her part... high fuel costs and high earnings spurred the decision.. and she has the wisdom to follow through.
Vickie - She's fantastic! I think the country is learning that right now.
Katerina - You're exactly right. Sarah has really held the producer’s feet to the fire. She's also been very instrumental in getting a gas line underway, which we're very proud of her for.