Are you a Native American? You’ve found the appropriate article, I suppose. This page tries to give you all the information you require on the advantages to which Native Americans are automatically entitled. Free housing, healthcare, education, food, routine government check-ups, and even income without paying taxes are all available to you.
Let’s get started right now.
Free Housing
You are entitled to about 68% of the revenues, which can be used for contracts, grants, employment training, school facilities, and even home upgrades.
Regarding housing-related issues, you might take into account the following organizations:
- Tribal Housing Board/TDHES – This organization attempts to provide prospects for house ownership by creating affordable housing and, in a way, upholding non-discrimination rules generally. The money that the TDHES gets in its capacity as a non-profit organization or tribe-specific authority is allocated to people who really need it and stand to gain from it.
- Native American Programs Office (ONAP) The ONAP, which is affiliated with HUD, intends to give financial help to everyone in the community through securing home loans, enhancing native veterans’ access to housing options, and rebuilding existing structures to address mold and other problems.
- Direct grants – These include a range of organizations that work to give tribes access to facilities that help them advance and enhance their living conditions as well as support the neighborhood in a way that helps Native Americans understand the importance of having a suitable housing facility. These organizations don’t actually give the money to the people or the families directly; instead, they utilize it to raise the standard of their homes. One such organization is the Indian Community Development Block Grant, and the other is the Indian Housing Block Grant.
- Housing Improvement Program (HIP) – People who live on reservations or other tribal lands receive funding from the HIP to improve their living conditions. You’ll need to clearly explain why you need to remodel, repair, and rebuild your home in order to qualify for this.
- EPA Green Building Benefits – They are taking the initiative to make America more ‘green’ and environmentally friendly. The Environmental Protection Agency launched this effort to finance the development of environmentally friendly structures as well as to instruct and train the tribe’s members in sustainable and healthy building practices.
- Indian Home Loan Guarantee – The US government provides assistance to people who need it in order to purchase a home. You could always seek loans through the HUD if you fall into one of these categories rather than mortgaging a home.
Check Also: How To Get Financial Assistance For Disabled People?
American Indian Education
Given the challenges faced by many tribes and natives, only around 13% of tribal students—as opposed to about 37% of non-tribal students—actually succeed in obtaining a university degree. In spite of this, the Bureau of Indian Education has taken action to give these youngsters hope for the future. Here are a few advantages offered to Native American families:
1. Indian Child and Family Education attempts to increase parents’ cognitive abilities while including them in their children’s education.
2. Few scholarships:
The United States of America offers its residents a wide range of universities and educational opportunities.
Additionally, the Udall Undergraduate Scholarship offers funding to Native American students who can demonstrate special services for their people and environmental challenges.
According to need and merit, the American Indian Education Fund awards about $450,000 in grants to deserving students each year. All those that contact them are also given mentorships and continuing support.
These scholarships are given to kids each year by the Association of American Indian Affairs. Approximately 10% of applicants are these young people. Similar to this is the Daughters of the American Revolution, who also award scholarships each year. However, their assistance consists of the requirements one needs while attending college and is given based on both financial need and academic performance.
There are also various educational, training, and internship options that you might take into account. Any Native American working in the healthcare sector is eligible for a number of scholarships and employment recruitment programmes.
Additionally, assistance is given to anyone who has a physical disability and must undergo vocational rehabilitation since they are unable to keep working at their previous jobs. This programme includes everyone who is designated to live on tribal territory, educates them, and also offers aid to those who may need it because they are disabled, ill, or injured and unable to work.
Government Checks
Contrary to popular belief, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) does not give money to individuals; on the other hand, the US government also does not send out cheques for essential services to people solely because they are Native Americans. Those who are retired, disabled, or veteran tribal members working as railroad workers, artists, or educators typically receive this help.
Even with regard to the PWNA, they offer support in the form of food, supplies, and energy. Then there is the TANF programme for single mothers, which continues to offer them employment as volunteers for almost 40 hours in a monitored work programme and, if they perform really well, may provide them a job placement. When Americans need assistance, they can also access the WIC and SNAP programs.
So, How Does One Apply For These Benefits?
Step 1:
Call the Bureau of Indian Affairs office closest to you. They would assist you in locating one of the 12 regional offices or representatives, including Alaska, that are spread out around the country.
Step 2:
Depending on the organization in charge, you could also check for tribal-related benefits that offer grants to persons once they are qualified for the procedure. You must keep in mind that it typically takes time to reach a resolution on these matters.
Step 3:
If you need help with housing, paying your electricity bill, or other connected difficulties, you can apply directly. Just make sure your family is registered under a recognised tribe, as this is crucial for the identification of documents and other information that is required. The likelihood that you will have to wait longer for approvals decreases if you are able to provide all of these documents in detail.
Step 4:
If you’re having trouble contacting any regional agencies, you may always get in touch with any tribe leader with whom you feel comfortable and explain your issue. They will be able to assist you because they are the most familiar with the system.
However, you must keep in mind that given the volume of Native Americans requesting assistance from these organizations, it could be necessary for you to exercise more patience with the outcomes. One approach to speed up the process would be to contact online communities to learn more about the system’s integrity. You could also conduct research on and schedule meetings with these reps and agents and hope for the best.
