The Cherokee Nation has begun distributing its first batch of what will total more than $14 million to utility companies on behalf of 9,600 low-income Cherokee households through a one-time emergency assistance program.
The $14.6 million in disbursements makes the program the largest utility assistance program in the tribe’s history.
The tribe’s Respond, Recover and Rebuild Emergency Utility Assistance Program was available to low-income Cherokee citizens residing in the tribe’s reservation and in contiguous counties. Applications were available from May 6 to June 30 through the tribe’s online Gadugi Portal and at nearly two dozen in-person sign-up events across the reservation.
Payments of $1,500 to utility companies selected by the applicant will be sent in batches.
The one-time Respond, Recover and Rebuild Emergency Utility Assistance Program is in addition to the tribe’s annual Low Income Heating Energy Assistance Program.
Since 2020 Cherokee Nation has provided more than $750 million in individual assistance payments under the Respond, Recover and Rebuild plan.
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Cherokees start paying utilities for low-income members
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