Cherokee Nation Extends "Elders in Need" Deadline

Native News Network Staff in Native Currents. Discussion »

TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA – Applications for Cherokee Nation's new Elders in Need Program, a financial assistance initiative for citizens 65 and over, have been extended until Friday, August 3.

The program aims to provide assistance to approximately 1,250 elders

Representatives with Cherokee Nation Family Assistance will be at the following locations from 9 am - 4 pm to take applications:

The Elders in Need Program will offer assistance in the form of a utility payment to low-income Cherokees who meet eligibility criteria. The program hopes to offset the financial burdens that many tribal elders face while living on inadequate fixed incomes.

“This program will help us give a hand up to our neediest elders without jeopardizing their eligibility for other programs,”

Principal Chief Bill John Baker said.

“I firmly believe we are all one family and one thing families do is look out for each other. This is one way we can do that for our elders.”

The program, which is financed through Cherokee Nation's general fund, aims to provide assistance to approximately 1,250 elders. Applicants must be 65 or older and a registered citizen of the Cherokee Nation who lives within the tribe's jurisdictional boundaries. Participants must also have a household utility in their name or their spouse's name, and their household income cannot exceed 150 percent of the national poverty level. For example, a household of two cannot have income greater than $1,891 per month. Please contact Cherokee Nation Family Assistance for other income requirements.

Eligible tribal citizens that are currently receiving services from Cherokee Nation's Family Assistance Program will receive an application in the mail beginning in June. Elders that don't have an active account on file can utilize the tribe's walk-in process at any of the tribe's six Family Assistance offices.

After an initial review, a letter of notification will be sent to participants informing them of their eligibility and payment information. A $200 payment per household will be mailed directly to the participant's utility vendor with a maximum of two payments a year.

For more information about Cherokee Nation's Elders in Need Program contact Crystal Thomas, Human Services assistant manager, at 918.453.5627 or crystal-thomas@cherokee.org.

posted July 10, 2012 7:20 am edt