General Welfare Assistance Payment 2024 Update

General Welfare Assistance Payment 2024 Update Portal opens Monday, December 2, 2024 The Menominee Indian Tribe has authorized a $200 General Welfare Assistance payment to all enrolled Menominee Tribal members as of November 19, 2024. This payment will be made in the form of a check for those 18 years and older as of November 19th. Funds will be deposited to trust accounts for minors. To receive the assistance, enrolled tribal members must apply through the members portal on the Tribe’s official website at www.menominee-nsn.gov. The portal will open Monday, December 2, 2024. To access the Tribal members portal on the new website, please note you must create a new account by clicking on the activate account link. Accounts/passwords from the previous website are no longer valid. The deadline to apply for assistance is June 1, 2025, with final distribution being June 6, 2025. Applications will be processed weekly. All applications received by 4:30pm on Wednesday’s will be processed and checks will be mailed on Friday. Applications received after that time, will be processed the following week. Please note THERE IS NO PICK-UP OPTION-Checks will be mailed to the address on file with the Member Services Department. The first mailing of checks will be on Friday, December 6. Please allow 5-10 business days for your check to be delivered. MINORS: Funds for enrolled minors (those 17 and under) will deposited in their trust accounts automatically, there is no need to fill a form out. INMATES: Forms will be provided for tribal members who are incarcerated at the Menominee Tribal Jail. Inmates incarcerated at other institutions will need to contact Member Services and request a form be mailed to them if they do not have access to the portal. The form must then be mailed back to the Member Services Department. Also, please keep if an inmate has moved to another facility, an address change form will be required to update their address. Address update forms can be found on the Member Services page of the Tribal Website, Community Announcements E-mail or request the form be mailed to the inmate along with the application. Please note that this payment is not automatic and requires the form to be filled out. Use of the portal is the most efficient method and highly encouraged. Computer/Portal Stations will be available at the following locations: • Member Services Department • Human Resources Department- Waiting Area • Central Reception within Tribal Offices Printed forms will be available at the following locations: • Portal Station areas • Community Resource Center • Aging Division • All Elder Meal Sites on Reservation Forms are also available for download on the Tribal Website (News and Announcements section) and Community Announcements email. Returning printed forms: The Tribal Office Central Reception Area has been designated at the centralized controlled form drop off area. Forms may also be mailed to Member Services. Drop Off: Menominee Tribal Office Central Reception Member Services W2908 Tribal Office Loop Road Keshena, WI. Mail: Member Services P.O. Box 910 Keshena, WI. 54135 Tribal members living off reservation/out of state, who cannot access the portal, download or pick up a form, may call Member Services to request a form be mailed to them. The form must then be mailed back to the Member Services Department. The deadline to apply for assistance is June 1, 2025 with final check disbursement on June 6, 2025. The first mailing of checks will be on Friday, December 6. Please allow 5-10 business days for your check to be delivered. A returned check listing will be posted on the MITW website, Menominee Nation News Facebook page and the MITW app. Those individuals will be able to pick up their check with a valid ID or POA paperwork. For replacement or lost checks, a waiting period of a 30 days will be required before another is processed by the Finance Department. Tax and Payment Information • The General Welfare Assistance payment is not taxable income. • It is not subject to child support interception. • Under Chapter 44 Debt Collection, the payment is not classified as a per capita payment and is not subject to its provisions. • Overpayment from any previous individual assistance will be withheld and the tribal member will be provided with the reason for such withholding. Questions? • For portal issues: Contact IT Help Desk at (715) 799-5117 • For general information or check inquiries: Contact Member Services at (715) 799-5121, Tribal Administration at (715) 799-5154, Chairman’s Office at (715) 799-5114, or Tribal Office Reception at (715) 799-5100 Notice: This program is designed to comply with Section 139E of the Tribal General Welfare Exclusion Act, which excludes general welfare benefits provided to tribal members from being considered gross income by the IRS. Although the Tribe intends the most favorable income tax treatment available under federal laws, the Tribe will not provide or pay for professional assistance to complete tax returns, or pay for professional assistance if benefit recipients are audited or reviewed by federal or state taxing authorities. The Tribe will not be responsible for, or pay, any tax penalties or interest incurred by benefit recipients in connection with their receipt of Tribal benefits. It is the responsibility of each recipient of Tribal benefits to consult with his or her own tax advisor regarding the taxability or reporting obligations they have. NOTE: The Menominee Indian Tribe would like to clarify that the General Welfare Distribution payments are NOT being intercepted for child support purposes, as approved by motion of the Menominee Tribal Legislature. Please refrain from contacting the Menominee Tribal Child Support Agency (MTCSA) regarding this matter, as they are unable to provide additional information beyond this clarification. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

GWA Portal Opens Monday Dec 2[7][1].pdf
FY2025 GWA Distribution Application[1].pdf