The Navajo Nation

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 26, 2020

Hardship Assistance Program application opens to elders and special needs individuals, online application will open to all enrolled members on Nov. 2^nd

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – On Monday, the Navajo Nation Office of the Controller opened the application for the Hardship Assistance Program for enrolled members of the Navajo Nation who are 65-years or older and to special needs individuals. In a press release issued on Monday, the Office of the Controller stated that their office is aware of the shortage of hard copy applications provided to the Nation’s 110 chapters, and are working quickly to provide additional hard copies.

On Oct. 9, Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer approved the hardship assistance expenditure plan to provide $49 million in CARES Act funds for emergency financial assistance for enrolled members of the Navajo Nation through an application and approval process administered by the Office of the Controller. Enrolled Navajo Nation members who were at least 18-years-old or older as of March 1, 2020 may receive up to $1,500 based on eligibility criteria determined by the Office of the Controller, and up to $500 per person for individuals who were under the age of 18-years-old as of March 1, 2020.

The application form and process were subject to review and approval by two of the Standing Committees under the 24^th Navajo Nation Council. The Health, Education, and Human Services Committee approved an amendment to prioritize elders and those with special needs during the first week of the application process. The application is not based on first come, first served.

The online application for hardship assistance will become available to all enrolled members of the Navajo Nation on Monday, Nov. 2, 2020, according to the Office of the Controller, which was tasked with overseeing and administering the hardship applications in accordance with legislation approved by the Council.

“We have provided Navajo Nation Chapters a work-around to print applications until more are made available tomorrow. Additional hardcopy applications are on their way—200,000 applications will be made available to chapters. This application process is not first come first served. No matter when you apply, your application will be given equal treatment. Thank you for your understanding and patience during this time,” said Controller Pearline Kirk.

Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer encourage all Navajo Nation citizens to take the time to learn about the application process on the Office of the Controller’s website, which also includes a Frequently Asked Questions and Answers page: http://www.nnooc.org/Documents/CARES%20Act/201020_OOC_FAQ_NN%20Hardship_Assistance_Program.pdf.

“The Office of the President and Vice President, working in collaboration with the Controller’s Office, will be assisting with application outreach efforts once more application forms are available, to help ensure that our Navajo elders and special needs citizens are provided the opportunity to ask questions and apply for the hardship assistance. This is the first time that the Navajo Nation has had funds for this specific purpose. With any initiative of this magnitude, there will be minor issues that arise and we have to continue working together to resolve the issues and move forward. We ask everyone to be respectful of the Office of the Controller as they work hard to help our Navajo people,” said President Nez.

The Office of the President and Vice President also reminds all Navajo Nation residents and officials to follow CDC guidelines when visiting chapters and interacting with chapter officials, to reduce any potential risks associated with COVID-19. Wear a mask in public at all times, practice social distancing, wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer frequently, and avoid gatherings of five or more people.

Navajo Nation Chapters that have questions relative to the Hardship Assistance Program, email nncareshelp@nnooc.org and do not contact the Navajo Division of Community Development. For more information about the Hardship Assistance Program or the Chapter Distribution Program, visit www.nnooc.org/CARESHelp.html.