Photo: Robson Machado | Pixabay
The onset of inflation is hitting those living in rural Alaska hard. A 12-pack of soda can cost $14 and a gallon of gas can cost $7. And with certain areas of Alaska known to fall well below zero, winters can be cold with access to firewood or heating. Financial support from the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD), however, could not have come at a better time. Fueled by the state's oil wealth, nearly every Alaskan is eligible to receive $3,000 check to help with their living costs. The amount totals to nearly $1.6 billion in aid. "What it will mean for a lot of families is that they can break even with the high prices we’re paying," says Howard Farley, a 90-year-old resident living in Nome. Residents need to fulfill residency requirements along with filling out a yearly application to qualify for dividend.
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