Payment Assistance Programs

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Programs on this page:

BIA ARPA Water Program

This program is designed to assist tribal households with preventing water services from being shut-off or disconnected because of non-payment or overdue balances. The program will assist in making a partial payment sufficient to prevent shutoff or disconnection. This is a one-time award program.

The Funds shall not be used to pay an entire overdue balance, but instead, they will be used to make a partial payment sufficient to prevent shutoff or disconnection such that the account owner is provided a reasonable opportunity to address the situation and enter into a payment plan with the utility provider to maintain water service.

Click here for the application.

Supplemental Heating Program

This program provides a credit of $250 per eligible household to help with high energy costs.
Social Services is able to offer the Supplemental Heating Program assistance to income-eligible
Pokagon Band households anywhere in the United States. The Supplemental Heating Program
is not limited to the ten-county service area.

How to Apply:

You can download the application from the website, or call the department at: (269) 782-4300
or (800) 517-0777, fax (269) 782-4295, email Social.Services@PokagonBand-nsn.gov or visit in
person at: 58620 Sink Rd, Dowagiac, Michigan.

Items you will need to fill out the application:

1. Proof of all household income:

• Proof of income for last 30 days and/or
• Award letters (from SSI, RSDI, Elder’s Stipend, etc…) and/or
• Child support received or paid or
• Completed zero income form (downloaded, or obtained from our office) if above do not
apply

2. Bill from your main heating source
3. Tribal ID card

Household Size Income Limit Guidelines:

1 ............................................................................................. $38,000
2 ............................................................................................. $48,035
3 ............................................................................................. $59,338
4 ............................................................................................. $70,641
5 ............................................................................................. $81,943
6 and above ........................................................................ $93,246

Supplemental Heating Form

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

Click Here for the LIHEAP Application
Per Capita Zero Income Form
The Social Services Department began accepting applications for LIHEAP on November 1, 2024.
Remember this program is designed to provide a one-time heating assistance payment to help with the high energy costs during the winter months. The program is designed to assist citizens living within our service area; LaPorte, St. Joseph, Elkhart, Starke, Marshall, and Kosciusko Counties in Indiana; and Cass, Berrien, Allegan, and Van Buren Counties in Michigan.

•  To apply call the Social Services Department at 58620 Sink Road, Dowagiac. Phone number

(269) 782-4300 or 1-800-517-0777 or you may fax information to (269) 782-4295. Information may also be found on the Pokagon website.

•  Proof of all household income is needed:
1. Proof of all yearly income and/or
2. Award letters from (SSI, RSDI, Elder’s Stipend, VA, etc.…) and/or
3. Child Support Received or paid or
4. Completion of Per Cap only/Zero Income Form if those above do not apply.
• Providers Bill.
•  Social Security numbers are required on applications, for all household members.
•  Social Security Cards (copy) are REQUIRED for all household members.
•  Tribal identification is also required.
•  Picture identification may also be required (driver’s license, student ID, etc.).

Household Size Income Limit Guidelines 
1 member in a household = $32,236- $34,849 
2 members in a household = $42,155- $45,572
3 members in a household = $52,074- $56,295
4 members in a household = $61,994- $67,019
5 members in a household = $71,913- $77,742
6 and above members in a household = $81,832- $88,465 

Emergency Services Initiative

This program is designed to assist low-income households that are normally able to meet their needs but may need assistance when unexpected emergencies arise. This program provides a credit of $400 per eligible household. This program also targets those individuals who continue to fall into crises because of their low-income status. By stabilizing the emergencies, the initiative seeks to prevent a short-term situation for the members-in-need from snowballing into a long-term crisis.

Household Size Income Limit Guidelines (200% of poverty) 
1 member in a household = $27,180
2 members in a household = $36,620
3 members in a household = $46,060
4 members in a household = $55,500 
5 members in a household = $64,940 
6 members in a household = $74,380
7 members in a household = $83,820
8 members in a household = $93,260

2024 Emergency Initiatives Application

Childcare Development Fund

The goal of the Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) program is to preserve the family unit and to promote its economic independence and self-sufficiency with safe, affordable, accessible, quality childcare for qualified Pokagon Band families.

Gross Monthly Income Limits
2 members in a household = $3,233
3 members in a household = $4,669
4 members in a household = $5,557
5 members in a household = $6,447
6 members in a household = $7,336
7 members in a household = $7,505
8 members in a household = $7,670