General Assistance

General Assistance
This program provides temporary assistance to individuals and families in meeting their basic essential needs. Services include General Assistance, Burial Assistance, Emergency and Disaster assistance.

Monthly General Assistance (Income Based)
Eligibility Requirements:

Be a member of an existing tribe or eligible for tribal membership.
Reside within the Bering Straits Region or be temporarily absent (not to exceed 60 days) from the region.
Have exhausted all other prior resources before they will be eligible.
Other prior resources include, but are not limited to: ATAP; State General Relief; Food stamps; Social Security benefits, Veterans benefits and Unemployment Benefits.
Not be receiving ATAP or Social Security Disability Benefits.
Be actively seeking employment and accept employment unless they are exempted from work requirements.
Not have a State of Alaska or Social Security assistance case suspended for non-compliance. If possible we will assist a tribal member in becoming compliant with an agency. Please call and ask someone in our office if we are able to assist you in resolving your issues.

First response to application:
Establish head of household; sources of income and amounts (this includes bingo/pull tab winnings) and employment information (current and past). Applicants that voluntarily quit employment without good cause will not be eligible for up to 60 days.

Burial Assistance (Income Based)
Maximum payment for burial assistance is $2500.00. If any person or organization pays for a more expensive burial than the minimum provided by this program for the deceased, authorization will not be made. Reasonable transportation costs will be considered in addition to the burial cost.

If the deceased is receiving Alaska Temporary Assistance Program (ATAP); Supplemental Security Income (SSI); Adult Public Assistance (APA); nursing home recipients on Medicaid; and children in State custody on Medicaid need to apply to the State of Alaska for burial assistance.

Eligibility Requirements:

Be a member of an existing tribe or eligible for tribal membership.
Reside within the Bering Strait Region or be temporarily absent (not to exceed 60 days) from region.

First response to application:
Establish relationship of applicant (must be a relative or have been designated by the relative of the deceased) to answer questions relating to income and resources available to the deceased.

Emergency Assistance:
Maximum Amount $1000.00
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. Payments will be made for essential needs and other non-medical necessities.

Disaster Assistance:
This is immediate and/or short-term relief from a disaster and can be provided to a tribal community. This request will be submitted to the Regional Director through the General Assistance Director. This requires a tribal resolution, a copy of state of presidential declaration of disaster; and projected extent of need in the service area not covered by other federal funding sources. The G.A. Director will submit the request to the Regional Director who will make a recommendation and forward it to the Assistant Secretary for the final decision.

Contact the Child General Assistance Program P.O. Box 948 Nome, AK 99762 Phone # 1-800-478-5230 907-443-4370 Fax # 877-824-4455 or 907-443-4455 Click here to email the GA Program Click here to download the General Assistance Application
		General Assistance This program provides temporary assistance to individuals and families in meeting their basic essential needs. Services include General Assistance, Burial Assistance, Emergency and Disaster assistance. Monthly General Assistance (Income Based) Eligibility Requirements: Be a member of an existing tribe or eligible for tribal membership. Reside within the Bering Straits Region or be temporarily absent (not to exceed 60 days) from the region. Have exhausted all other prior resources before they will be eligible. Other prior resources include, but are not limited to: ATAP; State General Relief; Food stamps; Social Security benefits, Veterans benefits and Unemployment Benefits. Not be receiving ATAP or Social Security Disability Benefits. Be actively seeking employment and accept employment unless they are exempted from work requirements. Not have a State of Alaska or Social Security assistance case suspended for non-compliance. If possible we will assist a tribal member in becoming compliant with an agency. Please call and ask someone in our office if we are able to assist you in resolving your issues. First response to application: Establish head of household; sources of income and amounts (this includes bingo/pull tab winnings) and employment information (current and past). Applicants that voluntarily quit employment without good cause will not be eligible for up to 60 days. Burial Assistance (Income Based) Maximum payment for burial assistance is $2500.00. If any person or organization pays for a more expensive burial than the minimum provided by this program for the deceased, authorization will not be made. Reasonable transportation costs will be considered in addition to the burial cost. If the deceased is receiving Alaska Temporary Assistance Program (ATAP); Supplemental Security Income (SSI); Adult Public Assistance (APA); nursing home recipients on Medicaid; and children in State custody on Medicaid need to apply to the State of Alaska for burial assistance. Eligibility Requirements: Be a member of an existing tribe or eligible for tribal membership. Reside within the Bering Strait Region or be temporarily absent (not to exceed 60 days) from region. First response to application: Establish relationship of applicant (must be a relative or have been designated by the relative of the deceased) to answer questions relating to income and resources available to the deceased. Emergency Assistance: Maximum Amount $1000.00 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. Payments will be made for essential needs and other non-medical necessities. Disaster Assistance: This is immediate and/or short-term relief from a disaster and can be provided to a tribal community. This request will be submitted to the Regional Director through the General Assistance Director. This requires a tribal resolution, a copy of state of presidential declaration of disaster; and projected extent of need in the service area not covered by other federal funding sources. The G.A. Director will submit the request to the Regional Director who will make a recommendation and forward it to the Assistant Secretary for the final decision. Back to Top