In 2004, the Human Services Group/Health Services was allocated funds from the Cherokee Nation Council to administer an Emergency Assistance program.  This program was designed for families whose needs or request cannot be met through any other resource/program.  The program in Human Services was designed and approved by the council to assist families in the time of imminent need. The imminent need is defined as the basic needs of an individual or family that if not addressed immediately within 24-48 hrs. or less may result in hunger, loss of shelter, medical peril, job loss or family break down.

Eligibility

An applicant must meet all the following criteria before an emergency assistance payment can be processed for the household.

1. A household applying for assistance must have at least one member that is a Cherokee Nation citizen. If, however, the family has already received assistance from another tribe, the family will be referred back to that tribe for further assistance.
2. Applicants live within the Cherokee Nation jurisdiction.
3. Household income may not exceed income eligibility standards developed by the Cherokee Nation.
4. Applicants must not qualify for or have exhausted eligibility for other services from existing Cherokee Nation programs or any federal, state, local or other tribe’s resources and/or programs.