CASS LAKE- Details have been finalized for the upcoming Economic Assistance payment for LLBO enrolled band members. The payment is the second disbursement from the economic assistance program established in July 2021 utilizing American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding.
The Leech Lake Tribal Council set the amount for adult band members at $1700.00 The application process will be nearly identical to the process used in the previous two years with a short online form to fill out or a paper option.
As part of ongoing modernization efforts, band members will now have the option of receiving this payment via debit card. Bank accounts and debit cards have been setup for each adult Leech Lake Band member by the LLBO Accounting Department. While everyone that signs up for this payment will receive a debit card, band members will retain the option to receive this economic assistance payment via check. The LLRBC has set a goal of having all future distribution of funds to band members, including the December 2022 Tax Rebate payment, issued onto the provided debit cards. Additional information on the debit cards is included on the provided FAQ and on our website at https://www.llojibwe.org
The online application portal will open July 29, 2022 at 8:00 AM and will be available via our website at https://www.llojibwe.org/covid-19-arpa.html or directly at https://hipaa.jotform.com/221995523358162.
All enrolled members of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe who were enrolled as of July 11, 2022 are eligible to apply for the economic assistance payment. Qualified applicants must also have experienced an economic impact as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and check at least one box in the “Economic Impact” section of the application. Enrolled members younger than 18 years of age will have funds deposited to Minor’s Trust, no application is necessary for these individuals.
In person distribution events will be held for both debit cards and checks. Band members who opt in to the debit card program will be able to pick up their debit cards in person on August 18-19, 2022. All debit cards not picked up will be mailed out on August 22nd, 2022. Band members who wish to receive the payment via check can pick their payment up in person on August 25-26, 2022. All checks not picked up, will be mailed out on August 29, 2022. Full details are as follows:
Band members who file their application prior to August 12, 2022 will be able to pick up their payments at the in-person distribution events below. All payments for applications submitted after August 12, 2022 will be mailed to the address provided on the application.
Payments issued via debit card will be distributed in person on August 18, 2022 from 9AM – 6PM and on August 19, 2022 from 9AM – 2PM at these locations:
- District 1 – Ball Club Community Center
- District 2 – Bena Community Center
- District 3 – Facility Center Gym
- Twin Cities Office
- Duluth Office
Any debit cards not picked up during the in-person distribution will be mailed to the address provided on the application on August 22, 2022
Payments issued via check will be distributed in person on August 25, 2022 from 9AM – 6PM and on August 26, 2022 from 9AM – 2PM at these locations:
- District 1 – Ball Club Community Center
- District 2 – Bena Community Center
- District 3 – Cedar Lakes Casino
- Twin Cities Office
- Duluth Office
Any checks not picked up during the in-person distribution will be mailed to the address provided on the application on August 29, 2022