1 WRC § 13-304 Eligible program assistance

§ 13-304 Eligible program assistance.

Program assistance is limited to the following type of costs:

1. Inside Service Area. Assistance payments may be authorized for the costs of transportation to and from the Wilton Rancheria land and the service area or service unit area; cost of transportation to or from the beneficiary’s principal residence and the Wilton Rancheria land, service area or service unit area; costs of transportation to or from the beneficiary’s principal residence, Wilton Rancheria land service area or service unit area and facilities that provide essential services to the public; the costs of local transportation assistance for an elder who does not drive that is not limited to a particular purpose; and, for local transportation to and from a beneficiary’s principal residence for purposes of commuting to and from a place of employment, health services and wellness services.

2. Outside Service Area. This includes all costs, including, but not limited to, car payment, insurance, registration fees, annual taxes, repair, maintenance and gasoline. The total amount shall not exceed, on a monthly basis prorated over a twelve (12) month period, the market rate for daily auto rental rates for a comparable car in the geographic area of beneficiary’s principal residence. The Tribal Council determines that in light of the policies of the United States and the individual states, including California, that negatively affected the health, welfare and economic security of tribal governments and their members and the need to overcome their effects relating to access to food, health care, cultural opportunities, and work, it is reasonable to provide for the immediate access to transportation for eligible tribal members.

B. Noncovered Medical Assistance. Assistance payments will only be authorized for services and equipment deemed medically necessary by a licensed care provider but not covered by medical insurance. Disbursement will be authorized only for licensed care providers, medical equipment providers or medical facilities, with the exception that payment for traditional Indian medicines may be made to a recognized healer or spiritual leader. Noncovered medical assistance payments extend to the relevant expenses for any of the beneficiary’s dependents.

C. In-Home Services. If due to health issues the beneficiary is having trouble with any two (2) of the daily living tasks from the following list, the beneficiary is eligible to receive financial assistance for in-home services: bathing, eating, getting places, cooking, dressing, walking, light household chores, heavy housework, or handling business affairs.

D. Cultural, Social, Religious, Community and Educational Activities. Substantiated expenses for transportation, food, lodging and admission fees associated with the following activities and programs are eligible for assistance payments:

1. Attending or participating in educational, cultural, social, religious or community programs and activities such as traditional dances, ceremonies and pow-wows offered by the Tribe or any other tribe or tribal organization; and

2. Visiting sites that are culturally or historically significant to the Tribe.

E. Delivered Meals. Assistance payments will only be authorized for licensed catering or community and tribal service organizations for the costs associated with preparing and delivering meals to the beneficiary’s primary residence.

F. Housing, Repair and Rehabilitation Assistance. Actual costs incurred by the beneficiary for housing, basic repairs and rehabilitation of his or her principal residence, including labor and materials for the following:

1. Essential improvements;

2. Energy-related improvements;

3. Lead-based paint hazards;

4. Improvements for handicapped accessibility;

5. Replacement of major housing systems;

6. Demolition costs, when part of a rehabilitation project;

7. Site improvements and utility connections;

8. Physical enhancements for crime prevention;

9. Mold remediation;

10. Roof repair or replacement;

11. Removal of building code deficiencies;

12. Exterior or interior painting;

13. Sewage or septic systems;

14. Heating/cooling systems;

15. Plumbing;

16. Flooring;

17. Other basic housing repairs as may be allowed by the program.

G. Utility Assistance. Assistance payments for actual costs incurred by the beneficiary for utility company charges related to the use of services in his or her principal residence. Eligible utility company charges include those for phone services (landline and cellular services), electricity, gas, propane, internet, cable, water, sewer, and waste services.

H. Educational Assistance. Assistance payments are authorized for (1) the educational development of newborns, infants, and toddlers, including but not limited to toys and gadgets that stimulate the mind and encourage educational development; and (2) preschool, primary, secondary and post-secondary educational programs and associated expenses including but not limited to room and board, transportation costs, tuition, books, computers, software, supplies and equipment, uniforms and other items reasonably necessary for completion of the course work or participating in the educational program. Educational assistance payments extend to the relevant expenses for any of the beneficiary’s dependents.

I. Dependent Care Assistance. Assistance payments are authorized for dependent care services for children that are under the age of thirteen (13) or a dependent spouse or relative that is not physically or mentally able to care for themself for the time during which the beneficiary is at work or actively seeking work, including attending job fairs, interviewing for jobs, and completing job applications.

J. Principal Residence Shelter Costs. With respect to a beneficiary’s principal residence, assistance payments are authorized for shelter costs.

K. Health and Wellness Assistance. Assistance payments are authorized for health and wellness expenses.

L. Fiscal Integrity Assistance. Assistance payments are authorized for financial counseling and tax preparation of individual (not business) returns and individual representation for tax delinquency and compliance, including all fees and costs associated with federal, state, local or tribal government returns and compliance.

M. Emergency Assistance. Assistance payments are authorized for the following types of emergency and exigent circumstances:

1. Provide assistance to individuals in exigent circumstances including but not limited to the cost of food, clothing, shelter, transportation, auto repair bills, and similar expenses.

2. Pay costs for temporary relocation and shelter for individuals displaced from their homes including but not limited to situations in which a home is destroyed by a fire, severe weather or natural disaster; and

3. Provide assistance for transportation emergencies (for example, when stranded away from home) in the form of transportation costs, a hotel room, and meals. (Res. 2023-44 Exh. A; Res. 2023-18 Exh. A; Res. 2022-78 Exh. A)