AKWESASNE – The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe (SRMT) has authorized an allotment of funds to provide winter heating assistance to tribal members who complete the 2019 application process. Approvals and deliveries from approved tribal fuel vendors will begin on Tsiothorhrkó:wa/January 01, 2019 to eligible households residing within the Tribe’s designated service area.
For tribal members to be eligible for the Tribe’s winter heating assistance, they must complete an application and provide the following verifications;
1) Be an enrolled SRMT member,
2) Reside within the jurisdiction of SRMT in the southern portion of Akwesasne or within the Tribe’s designated 15-mile services area,
3) Be the responsible individual listed on the account with a tribally licensed fuel vendor or dealer,
4) Provide a minimum of two (2) verifications for proof of residency; such as an electric bill, internet bill, or heating supplier bill,
5) Provide a heating supplier account number or information, and
6) For renters, provide a copy of rental agreement and receipt from property owner for current month.
- Eligible tribal members 68 years of age and up are eligible to receive up to $1,000 dollars for the winter season and a Fall allocation to be determined by funding.
- Eligible tribal members less than 68 years of age are eligible to receive up to $800 dollars for the winter season ONLY.
The winter heating assistance is available to provide assistance in a home’s main source of heat, which may include fuel oil, kerosene, propane, wood, wood pellets or electrical service.
Tribal members will need to contact their tribally licensed fuel supplier directly to arrange delivery. Should you have wood or wood pellets as a heating source, you will be contacted for delivery or pickup in mid-January 2019.
Winter Heating Assistance Applications may be completed at the SRMT Compliance Department, which is now located at 28 Ohkwarine Road, from 8:00am to 5:00pm, beginning on Kentenhkó:wa/November 14th to Tsiothóhrha/December 21st. They will also be available on the following Saturdays, from 10:00am to 2:00pm, in the Tribe’s Office for the Aging (Tsi Tetewatatkens) Sun Room: December 1st, 8th, 15th, and 22nd. No late applications shall be taken after the December 22nd deadline.
“We are pleased that the Tribe can continue to make this heating assistance available for the upcoming winter heating season,” said Compliance Director Elliott Lazore. The Tribal Heating Assistance Program has evolved into a community necessity over the years and we continue to see the number of applicants increase each year; with 1,755 tribal households receiving fall assistance. With the numbers continuing to increase, we must prioritize to serve elders on a fixed income.
Lazore added, “We continue to ask low-income households to also apply for the Tribe’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program at the Food Distribution Program Building located behind the Community Building at 412 State Route 37, or by contacting them at (518) 358-2272 extension 2212 to ask any questions about application requirements.”
The Tribe is grateful that the Tribal Heating Assistance Program continues to be funded through the Akwesasne Community Partnership Fund, which is supported by participating businesses of the Akwesasne Convenience Store Association and the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort.
Should tribal members have any questions, they may contact the SRMT Compliance Department at (518) 358-2272 during office business hours.
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The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council is the duly elected and federally recognized government of the Saint Regis Mohawk People