Alaska Permanent Fund dividend division plans change in public office hours

JUNEAU - The state division that processes applications for checks from Alaska’s oil-wealth fund plans to close to the public on Wednesdays starting in June.

Anne Weske, director of the Permanent Fund Dividend Division, says the intent is to give staff more time to focus on determining applicant eligibility.

She says the division gets many calls or questions that aren't fruitful, including people asking about their application status or what size the check will be.

She says the hope is that by closing offices to public contact on Wednesdays, employees can make more headway. She says Wednesdays have the lowest levels of calls or visits from the public.

Weske expects the change to be permanent but says offices will be open five days a week during the January through March filing season.