The Department of Children & Family Services (DCFS) will manage the need-based assistance to tribal members living on and off the Umatilla Indian Reservation, as outlined by the Board of Trustees for the Confederated Tribes.
The emergency assistance program is based on the applicant’s finances, and approval or denial are decided on a case-by-case need basis. In order to ensure that emergency assistance is available to those with the highest needs, a financial cap is used to determine the amount:
Individual with no dependents – maximum $500
Individual with dependents living in household – maximum $800
All tribal members can call 541-429-7300 from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at DCFS staff will take an Emergency Assistance application over the phone.
In order to make the payments, the CTUIR will need tribal members to bring their most current bills to the Nixyaawii Governance Center (NGC). Some tribal members who live off reservation may need to send in a W-9 tax form.
Bills should be placed in an envelope, addressed to DCFS and then deposited in the Tribal Ballot Box in the front parking lot of NGC. (It is the box that has the feathers painted next to the drop-in slot. DO NOT PLACE in the second box, which belongs to Umatilla County.)
If you are unable to come out to NGC, scan and email your most current bills to Kathleenpeterson@ctuir.org or Julietaylor@ctuir.org
To qualify for this program you must meet the following criteria:
- Be an enrolled member of the CTUIR older than 18;
- Be an enrolled CTUIR elder;
- Be an enrolled CTUIR veteran;
- Have minor children in the household that are enrolled member(s) of the CTUIR;
- A spouse of an enrolled member of the CTUIR.
- Recently laid off or furloughed due to the COVID-19 pandemic;
- A college student that moved back to the CTUIR due to the COVID-10 pandemic;
- A CTUIR tribal member that has relocated to the Umatilla Indian Reservation due to the COVID-19 pandemic;
