Kodiak -- Representative Alan Austerman (R-Kodiak) has been notified that starting this week, the Permanent Fund Dividend Division will begin sending letters to thousands of Alaskans, notifying them that all or part of their dividend will be garnished next month.

Deputy Commissioner Larry Persily, with the Department of Revenue, notified all legislative offices, along with state and congressional offices of its intent. The thrust of his letter was intended to help those offices deal with an influx of questions and disagreements in a quick, efficient and uniform manner.

As in past years, the single largest source of garnishment orders is the Child Support Enforcement Division (CSED). The CSED collected more than $14.5 million from 10,425 dividend garnishments last year.

The dividend garnishment letters will be followed next month by several thousand letters notifying Alaskans that the CSED may take their IRS tax refunds next year. The agency will issue these letters itself, notifying people of their child support debt and explaining the procedure for requesting an account review.

"As in the past, if you should receive one of those letters and still have questions, please contact my office at 486-8872," indicated Austerman. Alan can also be emailed at the following address: representative_alan_austerman@legis.state.ak.us.

The amount of this years Alaska's Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) amount will be announced Wednesday - September 20, 2000 at the Permanent Fund Corporation's Board of Trustees annual meeting in Fairbanks. Distribution of this year's check will begin the first week in October to every qualified Alaskan. Last year's PFD was in the amount of $1,769.84.

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