Every few months, a post goes viral claiming new stimulus checks are coming — "$2,000!" or "Your state is sending you money!" — and a lot of people waste time chasing something that does not exist. I want to be direct about what is real and what is not.
No federal stimulus checks have been approved for June 2026. The "tariff dividend" proposal ($2,000 per household) was discussed in media but has not passed into law. Be skeptical of any viral post making dollar claims without a source.
What Is Actually Real and Active
Here is the actual table. These are programs that exist, are funded, and have active applications right now:
| Program | Who Qualifies | How Much | How to Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska PFD (Permanent Fund Dividend) | Alaska residents who lived there 1+ year | ~$1,000/year (varies by year) | apply.pfd.alaska.gov — deadline usually March |
| NJ ANCHOR Property Tax Relief | NJ homeowners/renters at income limits | Up to $1,750 | anchor.nj.gov — open enrollment |
| Michigan Working Families Tax Credit | MI residents with qualifying income/children | Up to $1,500 | Michigan Treasury — file with state return |
| NY STAR Exemption | NY homeowners with primary residence | Varies by property value and income | tax.ny.gov — apply through local assessor |
| LIHEAP (heating/cooling assistance) | Low-income households, 150% FPL | $300–$600+ per year | Apply through state social services office |
| EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit) | Working families with qualifying income and children | Up to $7,830 | Claim on federal tax return — use Free File |
| Lifeline ($9.25/mo phone/internet) | SNAP recipients, Medicaid holders, low-income households | $9.25/month off your bill | lifelinesupport.org |
| SNAP/EBT Food Benefits | Low-income households | $234/person/month average | State SNAP office — apply online |
| Unclaimed Property | Anyone who has lived or worked in a state | Varies — $10 to thousands | MissingMoney.com or your state treasurer |
The Alaska PFD
The Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend is one of the most reliable direct payments from any US state. The 2025 PFD was approximately $1,200. The application window for the 2026 PFD opens in January and closes in late March. If you are an Alaska resident, apply at apply.pfd.alaska.gov. If you missed the window, you may still be able to claim from prior years for a limited period.
Unclaimed Property — Search It Now
There is one resource that almost nobody uses but costs nothing and takes two minutes: MissingMoney.com. Every state holds unclaimed assets — abandoned bank accounts, insurance payouts, tax refunds, utility deposits — and they are legally required to hold them until the rightful owner claims them.
Search your name, your old addresses, and family members. People regularly find amounts from $50 to $10,000+. It is completely free to claim. The search itself takes 2 minutes.