While millions of citizens wait for some form of federal financial help, some state governments in the United States have stepped up. Inflation, rising living costs, and the aftermath of the pandemic have left many families with less room to maneuver when it comes to paying their daily expenses. As a result, more and more people are paying attention to local initiatives that seek to alleviate this situation.
Although not all residents of the country are eligible for these benefits, two states have launched economic stimulus programs that deliver money directly to their citizens. These are Alaska and California, where payments are still being sent out before the end of 2025.
Both stimulus checks have specific requirements, defined deadlines, and varying amounts, but they essentially pursue the same goal: to help Americans most in need maintain some financial stability amid a challenging economic environment.
Alaska Stimulus check: $1,702 for state residents
The Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) is a program that distributes a portion of oil revenues to state residents each year. For 2025, the approved amount is $1,702 per person. Applications were accepted between January 1 and March 31, and the review and distribution process is ongoing.
This check is not a one-time payment for extraordinary reasons, but rather an economic stimulus that the state has maintained for years. The goal is to redistribute a portion of the territory’s natural wealth among its citizens. Payments will begin in October 2025, first by direct deposit and later through other forms of payment.
To be eligible, you must have lived in Alaska for the entire previous year and not have committed certain crimes. This program is one of the few examples of direct distribution of public resources that remains active in the United States.
Stimulus in Sacramento: $725 per month until the end of the year
On the other side of the country, California is also sending out a different type of economic stimulus. This is the Sacramento Family First, a pilot program that benefits 200 selected families by giving them $725 per month for a full year. This initiative began in December 2024, so payments will continue until November 2025.
This stimulus check aims to evaluate the impact of unconditional aid on low-income and vulnerable families. Recipients do not have to show how they spend the money, which seeks to give freedom and dignity to each household’s economic decisions.
To access this program, residents had to meet requirements such as living in Sacramento, having children, and being below a specific income threshold. Although this is a pilot program, the results could influence future state and national policies.
Both programs, although different in form and substance, reflect a growing trend in some states to offer direct economic solutions when federal aid is not enough. Above all, they show that it is still possible to get economic stimulus in the United States before the end of the year.
