The Municipality of Skagway is distributing monthly aid and stimulus checks. But tribal members have the option to choose Skagway Traditional Council’s program instead.
Skagway Traditional Council received half a million dollars of CARES Act funding. The federally recognized tribal government is distributing the money among its 63 eligible members.
Tribal administrator Sara Kinjo-Hischer said the program is need based.
“We’re just trying to make sure our members aren’t hurt from this pandemic and are able to sustain themselves through the… next winter coming and try to reduce the hardship as much as we possibly can,” she said.
Tribal members who are 18 and older with complete enrollment applications who live in the United States are eligible. Each member who meets the criteria and demonstrates financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic qualifies for up to $7,000.
That’s roughly equivalent to the amount of money a Skagway resident who is not a tribal member could get from the municipal program. STC members that live in Skagway must choose between municipal aid or STC’s program; they may not receive both sources of funding. Tribal members who don’t live in Skagway still qualify for STC’s Program.
Kinjo-Hischer said STC has already begun distributing the money. Unlike the municipal program, which is distributed in the form of personal checks, STC spends the money for members. And members don’t have to re-apply each month.
“We just do a one-time application only. Everybody tells us where they want the money to go to and the amount and their account numbers and from there it’s an internal process,” she said.
“Once the application is all approved and complete, then we submit checks to those utility companies or rent, landlords, and whatnot.”
It’s not just for utilities, rent and mortgage. Kinjo-Hischer said qualifying uses include medical purchases, groceries, and increased childcare costs.
The program is ongoing through August 31st.
