The BIA Financial Assistance and Social Services (FASS) program offers five types of assistance to members of federally recognized American Indian or Alaska Native tribes. You may qualify if you:

• Do not have access to Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF);
• Do not qualify for TANF; or
• Have exceeded the lifetime limit for TANF services.

The five types of assistance include:

General Assistance

You may get payments for essential needs like food, clothing, shelter, and utilities.

You must work with social services to develop an Individual Self-sufficiency Plan (ISP). The plan must show the specific steps you’ll take to increase independence.

Your case is reviewed every three or six months, or when there’s any change that can affect your eligibility. You must tell social services immediately if your status changes.

If you refuse a job or quit a job, you won’t be able to get services for 60 to 90 days.

Burial Assistance

You may get a one-time payment to help with burial expenses for a needy Indian whose estate is unable to cover them.

Non-medical Institutional or Custodial Care of Adults

You may get monthly funds for non-medical care and supervision of adults who:

• Need personal care because of age, illness, physical or mental impairment.
• Need homecare services in their own home.
• Need care in a residential facility.

This program helps disabled adults who don’t qualify for any other county, state, or federal programs.

Child Assistance

You may get funds for an Indian child who needs:

• Placement in a foster home, private, or tribal group daycare home.
• Placement in a residential setting that offers special care.
• Adoption or guardianship services.

Emergency Assistance

You may get payments if you have personal property damage or your home was destroyed by a disaster. Funds may be used for needs like food, shelter, and utilities when you have no other resources.

Visit the Direct Assistance (Financial Assistance & Social Services) page to learn more.

You must meet all of the criteria below:

1. Be an enrolled member of a federally recognized American Indian or Alaska Native tribe.
2. Prove you are unable to pay for the essential needs of food, clothing, shelter, and utilities.
3. Live in or near an approved service area.
4. Apply for all other federal, state, tribal, county, and local programs you may qualify for.
5. Confirm you don’t get any other similar assistance.

Contact a BIA regional or social services office to find out if you’re in an approved service area.

You can apply at the nearest BIA-operated or tribal social service provider. Contact your local BIA regional office to find a provider in your area.