Tribe Implements COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Family Assistance Program

Under the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma General Welfare Ordinance the Tribe has implemented a COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Family Assistance. Program. Through this general welfare program, the Tribe may provide a one-time benefit of $1,200 per enrolled tribal member 18 years of age and older, and $500.00 for each enrolled tribal member child, if said member can demonstrate a loss of income or COVID-19 related expenses between March 1, 2020 and September 11, 2020. This is not a per capita payment, this is a welfare benefit based on need.

President Donald J. Trump declared a nationwide State of Emergency on March 13, 2020, as a result of the coronavirus, COVID-19 pandemic. In late March Congress enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which established a Corona virus Relief Fund to distribute federal funding to Tribes based on population and employee demographics. The Tribe received CARES Act funds in late May and mid-June and have worked to budget the funds in compliance with Department of Treasury guidance.

The Department of Treasury has disallowed per capita type payments by Tribes to tribal members but does allow financial assistance under a tribal general welfare program if a tribal member demonstrates a loss of income and/or COVID-19 related expenditures.