Full October bonus payment schedule revealed as $1,000 checks shrink for Americans

THE full schedule of October payments worth $1,000 from an annual program has officially been revealed, with Americans set to get their checks in just days.

The money, set to soon be distributed from a longstanding program launched in the 1970s, marks a notable cut from last year’s $1,702 amount.

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Americans are in line to receive checks worth $1,000 from a yearly program[/caption]

The federal government handed out three rounds of stimulus checks worth up to $1,200, $600, and $1,400 during the pandemic, with over 476 million payments totaling $814 distributed, per Pandemic Oversight.

Although such economic impact payments are a thing of the past, there are several state-run programs handing out cash that functions similarly to the stimulus checks from the pandemic.

For example, Alaskans benefit from the Permanent Fund Dividend, or PFD, a program launched in 1980 by the state legislature to help manage and share profits from Alaska’s oil and natural resources with residents.

Checks from the fund began going out annually to qualifying residents beginning in 1982, with the very first checks being $1,000, and the most recent ones, handed out from the 2024 PFD, worth $1,702.

That amount has been reduced by $702 this year, with the 2025 PFD standing at $1,000, according to Alaska’s Department of Revenue.

The deadline to apply for this year’s PFD amount was on March 31, so Alaskans who missed the window will have to wait until next year to file.

Alaska PFD vs stimulus

The PFD payment is a bit different than the stimulus check Americans received during the pandemic.

The PFD is made to residents of a specific region from the earnings of a permanent or sovereign wealth fund.

Alaska has a sovereign wealth fund called the Alaska Permanent Fund, established in 1976.

It is funded mainly through the revenue produced from Alaska’s oil and gas reserves.

Every year, part of the funds are distributed to Alaskan residents as dividends.

Payments for the 2025 PFD will be distributed on three upcoming dates to those who applied on time and meet the eligibility requirements.

The first round of checks will go out on October 2, 2025, to those who filed their applications online and selected direct deposit as their preferred payment method.

Alaskans who completed paper applications or opted to receive a paper check in the mail will receive their 2025 PFD payment on October 23.

The last round of checks will go out on November 20 to any remaining eligible applicants, regardless of how they filed.

Roughly 600,000 Alaskans receive money from the state’s fund each year, with eligibility criteria on factors like residency and felony charges in place in order to benefit from the program.

CASH GRAB

Aside from Alaska, several other states are shelling out checks to provide a financial boost to their residents.

For example, more than 8.2 million New Yorkers are receiving inflation refund payments worth up to $400 under the state’s budget deal.

The cash, to be used as recipients please, will automatically be sent to eligible individuals, New York Governor Kathy Hochul revealed in May.

Still waiting for a check?

If you still have not received your 2024 PFD payment, there are several steps you can take to ensure you get the money you are owed.

• Visit the state’s Department of Revenue PFD website and use the “myPFD” tool to verify application status
• Checking if your application is in the “Eligible – Not Paid” status or if you still need to complete your application
• Ensure your mailing and physical address, phone numbers, and email are accurate, and update this information through the online portal if there are any errors and you filed electronically
• For those who opted for direct deposit but have yet to receive their payment, check with your bank to see if the money was deposited into a different account or if the deposit was rejected for any reason
• If the scheduled payment date for your application has already passed and you have not been sent your PFD money, you can get in touch with the PFD division by visiting one of their offices, mailing documents, calling, or emailing dor.pfd.info@alaska.gov

“It’s simple – this is your money and we’re putting it back in your pockets,” the governor said in the press release, sending out the checks in response to New York’s increased revenue from sales tax thanks to inflation.

In Montana, the state’s Property Tax Rebate is handing out up to $400 in property tax relief to qualifying residents.

The check amount is based on the property taxes homeowners paid on their primary Montana residence in 2024.

The state has received more than 197,000 applications as of September 18, with the final deadline to apply being on October 1, 2025.

Meanwhile, Americans in Illinois can get their hands on an energy bill credit worth $300 by attending a short educational workshop on October 2.

The energy company Ameren will host its Community Development Workshop from 9 am to 4 pm at the Carbondale Civic Center located at 200 South Illinois Avenue.

The event will feature on-site energy advisors, a brief educational clean energy workshop, and a $300 energy bill credit for those who have an active Ameren Illinois electric or gas account and meet the income limits.

Participants are being asked to bring and Ameren Illinois bill, photo identification, and proof of income for the past 30 days to qualify for the payment.

Check out these other payment opportunities to see if you can get your hands on some free cash.

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