WELFARE ASSISTANCE
FORMS & DOCS
CONTACT INFORMATION
Delayed SNAP/ATAP/State Assistance Applications
We have heard concerns, and have noted the crisis on the state backlog on public assistance programs. We would like tribal members living in the Bering Strait Region to know there are options for assistance in this time of need. Our General Assistance Program can help families financially who are waiting on a status update of their application.
Please see our General Assistance guidelines on this page for more information. Please note: Tribal members residing in Unalakleet, will have to apply with Unalakleet Tribal Office. Nome Eskimo Community members residing in Nome will have to apply with Nome Eskimo Community. Individuals enrolled with a tribe outside of the region are also eligible to apply (if in villages apply with Kawerak, if residing in Nome apply with NEC).
If you would like to apply for our General Assistance program, please fill out the application: General Assistance Application (New clients)
If you need assistance with the application, please call us at 907-443-4370 or 907-443-4367.
Alaska Legal Services is also assisting individuals who have had their application or recertification delayed or denied. If you would like to reach out to ALSC for help call 907-443-2230.
Welfare Assistance
Four programs are housed under the Kawerak Tribal Welfare Assistance (TWA) Department. They are General Assistance, Burial Assistance and Kawerak Native Employment Work Services (KNEWS).
The General Assistance, Burial Assistance and Emergency Assistance Programs provide temporary assistance to individuals and families in meeting their basic essential needs.
Basic eligibility requirements for the General Assistance, Burial Assistance and Emergency Assistance Programs are as follows:
- Must be a member of a federally recognized tribe*
- Must reside in the Bering Strait Region
- Must be income eligible and not have enough resources to meet essential needs.
*Tribal members of Nome Eskimo Community and tribes located outside of the Bering Strait Region who reside in Nome must apply for General Assistance through Nome Eskimo Community (NEC). For more information please call 907.443.2246.
*All tribal members of federally recognized tribes residing in Unalakleet must apply for General Assistance through the Unalakleet IRA Office. For more information please call 907.624.3622.
Tribal members who reside outside of the Bering Strait Region should contact the local Tribal Office where they reside for General, Burial and Emergency assistance.
Anchorage residents contact: Cook Inlet Tribal Council office at 907.793.3300 or 907.265.5911
Fairbanks residents contact: Fairbanks Native Association office at 907.452.1648
Wasilla residents contact: Chickaloon Native Village at 907.631.7665
Unalakleet residents contact: Native Village of Unalakleet at 907.624.3622
For other community information contact: BIA Social Services in Juneau at 1.800.645.8397
General Assistance
The Kawerak General Assistance (GA) Program assists qualifying tribal members residing in the Bering Strait Region with the following basic needs:
- Food This can be food directly from a local store or supplies to acquire food through subsistence activities.
- Clothing This can be regular needed clothing, clothing for work and/or clothing needed for subsistence activities.
- Shelter This can be assistance with a rent or house payment.
- Utilities This can be assistance with electricity, water, sewer, heat or other utilities.
- Other Basic Necessities This can be hygiene or cleaning supplies.
The goal of the GA Program is to help eligible applicants increase self-sufficiency through an Individual Self-Sufficiency Plan, or Case Plan if the applicant is unemployable due to certain circumstances. This is an income based, LAST RESORT assistance program for tribal members of federally recognized tribes who reside in the Bering Strait Region. Items used for subsistence activities can be purchased with GA funds as the goal of the GA Program is to increase self-sufficiency.
The GA Program is meant to help tribal residents when no other resources are available, such as public assistance. Applicants must show there is a need for assistance for essential current unmet needs. Monthly General Assistance (GA) payments are made directly to vendors such as local stores, utility companies and landlords to assist individuals and/or families in meeting their essential needs for food, housing, clothing, heat, utilities, and other basic necessities. Applicants for monthly GA benefits must apply for, and comply with the requirements of all other programs for which they appear eligible. These programs may include the Adult Temporary Assistance Program (ATAP), Adult Public Assistance (APA), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Unemployment Benefits, General Relief Assistance (GRA), Energy (Heating) Assistance, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) formerly known as Food Stamps, Social Security benefits, Veteran and Senior benefits.
Our priority is to assist eligible households to increase self-sufficiency. If there are no jobs available, you may be required to seek, attend and complete training. If you have children in your household under 18 years old, you will be required to apply for the State of Alaska’s Adult Temporary Assistance Program (ATAP). You must have exhausted all other prior resources before you will be eligible for General Assistance.
Applicants must actively seek employment and accept employment unless they are exempted from work requirements. If applicants are non-compliant with an agency, we can assist in becoming compliant.
Income Eligibility
There may be several people living in one house who would be considered separate heads of household or households and qualify for the GA Program. In this instance separate applications will be required.
The following are types of households:
- Adult Only an individual who has no dependents. If two people are legally married, both may apply on one application. If two people are not legally married, separate applications are required.
- One Parent Who is Able to Work a parent who has dependent children and is able to work. This parent has exhausted 60 months of ATAP through the Alaska Division of Public Assistance (DPA) and written verification can be provided from DPA.
- Two Parents Where One Parent is Medically Exempt and Not Able to Work one parent is medically exempt and he or she is considered physically or mentally unable to perform gainful activity. A physician or other licensed medical professional certifies the exemption and provides a written statement. The parents have exhausted 60 months of ATAP through DPA and written verification can be provided from DPA.
To determine if you are financially eligible according to the federal rate, please contact our office at 907-443-4370 or 907-434-0528.
Burial Assistance
Planning a funeral can be a very stressful and emotional time. The Kawerak Tribal Welfare Assistance Department has created a Funeral/Burial Information Packet to help Bering Strait Regional residents plan a funeral. We hope this will help eliminate some of the stress during such an emotional time.
The Kawerak Burial Assistance (BA) Program is an income based, LAST RESORT assistance program for residents of the Bering Straits region. BA offers basic BIA funeral and burial assistance. These services (up to a maximum of $2,500) include the cost of the casket and freight. If the casket and cross are going to be made, supplies may be purchased in your local community with staff approval. Funding for a funeral feast (up to a maximum of $400.00) can also be provided if there is left over funding after the casket and freight expenses have been paid.
Eligibility is based on the tribal enrollment and resources of the deceased person. Once a BA Program application has been submitted, the family will be notified of eligibility determination, and if approved, a subsequent vendor payment to the mortuary/funeral home will be made. The family is responsible for taking care of all arrangements with the mortuary/funeral home and with the State Medical Examiner’s office where appropriate. All applicants must first apply for General Relief Burial Assistance (GRA) through the State of Alaska, Public Assistance office.
Please call 1.800.478.2236 or 907.443.2237 to apply.
Emergency Assistance
This assistance can be made to individuals or families who suffer from a burnout, flood or other destruction of their home and loss or damage to personal possessions. Other destruction can include, but is not limited to black mold and bed bugs. However, in order to be eligible, the damage must have already occurred.
Payments will be made for essential needs and other non-medical necessities (up to a maximum of $1,000 per household). Prior to applying for Kawerak, Inc.’s Emergency Assistance, you must contact the Red Cross of Alaska at 1.800.451.8267 and request assistance.
Kawerak Emergency Assistance is an income based, LAST RESORT assistance program for residents of the Bering Strait Region. If approved, payments will be made directly to vendors for essential needs and non-medical necessities. Prior to providing emergency assistance, other resources should be exhausted.
Delayed SNAP/ATAP/State Assistance Applications
We have heard concerns, and have noted the crisis on the state backlog on public assistance programs. We would like tribal members living in the Bering Strait Region to know there are options for assistance in this time of need. Our General Assistance Program can help families financially who are waiting on a status update of their application.
Please see our General Assistance guidelines on this page for more information. Please note: Tribal members residing in Unalakleet, will have to apply with Unalakleet Tribal Office. Nome Eskimo Community members residing in Nome will have to apply with Nome Eskimo Community. Individuals enrolled with a tribe outside of the region are also eligible to apply (if in villages apply with Kawerak, if residing in Nome apply with NEC).
If you would like to apply for our General Assistance program, please fill out the application: General Assistance Application (New clients)
If you need assistance with the application, please call us at 907-443-4370 or 907-443-4367.
Alaska Legal Services is also assisting individuals who have had their application or recertification delayed or denied. If you would like to reach out to ALSC for help call 907-443-2230.
Welfare Assistance
Four programs are housed under the Kawerak Tribal Welfare Assistance (TWA) Department. They are General Assistance, Burial Assistance and Kawerak Native Employment Work Services (KNEWS).
The General Assistance, Burial Assistance and Emergency Assistance Programs provide temporary assistance to individuals and families in meeting their basic essential needs.
Basic eligibility requirements for the General Assistance, Burial Assistance and Emergency Assistance Programs are as follows:
- Must be a member of a federally recognized tribe*
- Must reside in the Bering Strait Region
- Must be income eligible and not have enough resources to meet essential needs.
*Tribal members of Nome Eskimo Community and tribes located outside of the Bering Strait Region who reside in Nome must apply for General Assistance through Nome Eskimo Community (NEC). For more information please call 907.443.2246.
*All tribal members of federally recognized tribes residing in Unalakleet must apply for General Assistance through the Unalakleet IRA Office. For more information please call 907.624.3622.
Tribal members who reside outside of the Bering Strait Region should contact the local Tribal Office where they reside for General, Burial and Emergency assistance.
Anchorage residents contact: Cook Inlet Tribal Council office at 907.793.3300 or 907.265.5911
Fairbanks residents contact: Fairbanks Native Association office at 907.452.1648
Wasilla residents contact: Chickaloon Native Village at 907.631.7665
Unalakleet residents contact: Native Village of Unalakleet at 907.624.3622
For other community information contact: BIA Social Services in Juneau at 1.800.645.8397
General Assistance
The Kawerak General Assistance (GA) Program assists qualifying tribal members residing in the Bering Strait Region with the following basic needs:
- Food This can be food directly from a local store or supplies to acquire food through subsistence activities.
- Clothing This can be regular needed clothing, clothing for work and/or clothing needed for subsistence activities.
- Shelter This can be assistance with a rent or house payment.
- Utilities This can be assistance with electricity, water, sewer, heat or other utilities.
- Other Basic Necessities This can be hygiene or cleaning supplies.
The goal of the GA Program is to help eligible applicants increase self-sufficiency through an Individual Self-Sufficiency Plan, or Case Plan if the applicant is unemployable due to certain circumstances. This is an income based, LAST RESORT assistance program for tribal members of federally recognized tribes who reside in the Bering Strait Region. Items used for subsistence activities can be purchased with GA funds as the goal of the GA Program is to increase self-sufficiency.
The GA Program is meant to help tribal residents when no other resources are available, such as public assistance. Applicants must show there is a need for assistance for essential current unmet needs. Monthly General Assistance (GA) payments are made directly to vendors such as local stores, utility companies and landlords to assist individuals and/or families in meeting their essential needs for food, housing, clothing, heat, utilities, and other basic necessities. Applicants for monthly GA benefits must apply for, and comply with the requirements of all other programs for which they appear eligible. These programs may include the Adult Temporary Assistance Program (ATAP), Adult Public Assistance (APA), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Unemployment Benefits, General Relief Assistance (GRA), Energy (Heating) Assistance, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) formerly known as Food Stamps, Social Security benefits, Veteran and Senior benefits.
Our priority is to assist eligible households to increase self-sufficiency. If there are no jobs available, you may be required to seek, attend and complete training. If you have children in your household under 18 years old, you will be required to apply for the State of Alaska’s Adult Temporary Assistance Program (ATAP). You must have exhausted all other prior resources before you will be eligible for General Assistance.
Applicants must actively seek employment and accept employment unless they are exempted from work requirements. If applicants are non-compliant with an agency, we can assist in becoming compliant.
Income Eligibility
There may be several people living in one house who would be considered separate heads of household or households and qualify for the GA Program. In this instance separate applications will be required.
The following are types of households:
- Adult Only an individual who has no dependents. If two people are legally married, both may apply on one application. If two people are not legally married, separate applications are required.
- One Parent Who is Able to Work a parent who has dependent children and is able to work. This parent has exhausted 60 months of ATAP through the Alaska Division of Public Assistance (DPA) and written verification can be provided from DPA.
- Two Parents Where One Parent is Medically Exempt and Not Able to Work one parent is medically exempt and he or she is considered physically or mentally unable to perform gainful activity. A physician or other licensed medical professional certifies the exemption and provides a written statement. The parents have exhausted 60 months of ATAP through DPA and written verification can be provided from DPA.
To determine if you are financially eligible according to the federal rate, please contact our office at 907-443-4370 or 907-434-0528.
Burial Assistance
Planning a funeral can be a very stressful and emotional time. The Kawerak Tribal Welfare Assistance Department has created a Funeral/Burial Information Packet to help Bering Strait Regional residents plan a funeral. We hope this will help eliminate some of the stress during such an emotional time.
The Kawerak Burial Assistance (BA) Program is an income based, LAST RESORT assistance program for residents of the Bering Straits region. BA offers basic BIA funeral and burial assistance. These services (up to a maximum of $2,500) include the cost of the casket and freight. If the casket and cross are going to be made, supplies may be purchased in your local community with staff approval. Funding for a funeral feast (up to a maximum of $400.00) can also be provided if there is left over funding after the casket and freight expenses have been paid.
Eligibility is based on the tribal enrollment and resources of the deceased person. Once a BA Program application has been submitted, the family will be notified of eligibility determination, and if approved, a subsequent vendor payment to the mortuary/funeral home will be made. The family is responsible for taking care of all arrangements with the mortuary/funeral home and with the State Medical Examiner’s office where appropriate. All applicants must first apply for General Relief Burial Assistance (GRA) through the State of Alaska, Public Assistance office.
Please call 1.800.478.2236 or 907.443.2237 to apply.
Emergency Assistance
This assistance can be made to individuals or families who suffer from a burnout, flood or other destruction of their home and loss or damage to personal possessions. Other destruction can include, but is not limited to black mold and bed bugs. However, in order to be eligible, the damage must have already occurred.
Payments will be made for essential needs and other non-medical necessities (up to a maximum of $1,000 per household). Prior to applying for Kawerak, Inc.’s Emergency Assistance, you must contact the Red Cross of Alaska at 1.800.451.8267 and request assistance.
Kawerak Emergency Assistance is an income based, LAST RESORT assistance program for residents of the Bering Strait Region. If approved, payments will be made directly to vendors for essential needs and non-medical necessities. Prior to providing emergency assistance, other resources should be exhausted.