BIA Services to Indian Children, Elderly and Families (FASS)

Bureau of Indian Affairs Financial Assistance and Social Services (FASS) program funded under ALN 15.025 provides social services funding to federally recognized Indian tribal governments for welfare assistance and social support programs. Services cover in-home adult care for elderly and disabled tribal members, child welfare placements and foster care support, family preservation counseling, emergency shelter operations, case management, and referral services. For family caregivers of Native elders or disabled relatives, this program represents the primary federal social services funding line available through tribal governments — extending coverage that state Medicaid HCBS waivers and OAA services may not reach in tribal communities.

Five direct assistance types funded through tribal governments: (1) General Assistance — monthly financial support for food, clothing, shelter, and utilities for eligible Indians who cannot access TANF or have exhausted eligibility, using an Individual Self-Sufficiency Plan; (2) Adult Care Assistance — monthly payments for non-medical personal care and supervision of elderly or disabled Indians who cannot be cared for at home by family, covering in-home care or residential placement; (3) Child Assistance — foster care, group home, and guardianship subsidies for Indian children in need of placement, not to exceed the state basic foster care rate for the child's age; (4) Emergency Assistance — up to $1,500 per household for disaster-related property damage, food, shelter, or utilities; (5) Burial Assistance — up to $3,500 for funeral expenses for deceased indigent Indians. Social services delivered alongside direct payments include: counseling, case management, referrals for substance abuse/mental health, child and adult protective services. Apply through the tribal social services office or local BIA agency social worker using OMB Form 1076-0017.

Some details for this program are still being verified. Check the official source for the most current information.

Services

Five direct assistance types funded through tribal governments: (1) General Assistance — monthly financial support for food, clothing, shelter, and utilities for eligible Indians who cannot access TANF or have exhausted eligibility, using an Individual Self-Sufficiency Plan; (2) Adult Care Assistance — monthly payments for non-medical personal care and supervision of elderly or disabled Indians who cannot be cared for at home by family, covering in-home care or residential placement; (3) Child Assistance — foster care, group home, and guardianship subsidies for Indian children in need of placement, not to exceed the state basic foster care rate for the child's age; (4) Emergency Assistance — up to $1,500 per household for disaster-related property damage, food, shelter, or utilities; (5) Burial Assistance — up to $3,500 for funeral expenses for deceased indigent Indians. Social services delivered alongside direct payments include: counseling, case management, referrals for substance abuse/mental health, child and adult protective services. Apply through the tribal social services office or local BIA agency social worker using OMB Form 1076-0017.

How to apply

Apply online or find more information at the official program page.