COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Information and Application

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Administered by the SMC, the program will provide financial assistance for rent, security deposits, and wrap around services including career services, and various utilities for SMC tribal member 18 years and over who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Assistance Program can award up to $1000 per individual in a combination of rental payments, utilities, repairs, career services and/or security deposits. This program is made possible through funding from the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The Assistance Program will be available until December 1, 2020 and the program will expire once CARES funding is exhausted.

ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES

Applicant must meet the eligibility criteria. Be an adult Stockbridge-Munsee tribal member 18 years of age or older at time of application for assistance Eligible costs include direct financial assistance for owed rent and security deposits, rental payments, furnace repairs, utilities, internet/cell phone and childcare. and you can't be in another government support housing (i.e. public housing or Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher recipient) or currently utilizing WHEAP. Must have a hardship due to COVID-19 and provide evidence of qualifying expenses (receipts/invoices/vendor information). In response to the COVID-19 crisis, the SMC has adjusted the eligibility requirements for SMC enrolled member who are seeking heating and electric assistance and does not require member to meet income eligibility requirements.

APPLICABLE LEGAL STANDARDS

•                      It is the Applicant's responsibility to determine any impact the emergency assistance funds they receive may have on public assistance they currently receive or may receive in the future.

•                      This program is for the promotion of the general welfare of tribal members and therefore is not lavish or extravagant or compensation for services. It is intended to fall under the IRS income exclusions for tribal general welfare programs and for disaster relief (26 U.S.C. 139E and 139).

•                      This program is intended to fall within the authorized purposes for use of funding provided under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act because it is determined by the SMC to be a necessary expenditure in response to the public health emergency. Furthermore, this program was not accounted for in the SMC budget as of March 15th, 2020 and all expenditures will be incurred by December 1st, 2020.

SUBMIT COMPLETED APPLICATIONS

By Mail: Stockbridge-Munsee Community

C/O Lori Robinson
P.O. Box 70
Bowler, WI 54416


Email: lori.robinson@mohican-nsn.gov 


In-Person (by drop box):

Stockbridge-Munsee Housing

C/O Lori Robinson

N8618 Oak St

Bowler, WI 54416

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Tuesday, December 1, 2020 by 4:00 pm. No exceptions.

DOCUMENTATION

Reimbursement: Applicant must provide qualifying receipts for: shelter, subsistence, housing, elder and disabled care, childcare, various utilities, water, sewer, electricity, propane/gas, wood, emergencies and disaster relief related to COVID-19 not to exceed $1,000 in total.

PAYMENT

Applicant may be reimbursed for expenses or have payment directed to a Vendor. For Vendor payment, the Applicant must provide vendor's invoice, with name and address and payment information for each vendor, and a W-9 if applicable* not to exceed $1,000 in total.

INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE PROCESSED

*a W-9 will be needed for vendors that are individuals (ex. if you rent from a family member and want your Emergency Assistance to go directly to your landlord or you buy wood from and individual and want a direct payment made to them)