Burial assistance program intends to help Tribal members during time of loss

Observer Staff

1/25/2005 12:00:00 AM

The Tribe created a burial fund that is intended to provide financial assistance to survivors of a Tribal member decedent for funeral expenses. This program provides for a payment of actual unpaid expenses up to a maximum of $6,000 which shall be payable directly to the funeral home. (Under no circumstances will payments be made solely to an individual.) If funeral expenses exceed $6,000, the Tribe shall not be responsible for additional expenses; nor shall the Tribe be responsible for any reimbursement of prepaid

All persons listed as enrolled members of the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Michigan as of their date of death shall be eligible for benefits under this program. All Tribal members' minor children (including unborn fetuses or stillborns) shall be eligible for benefits under this program whom otherwise would have met the Tribal Constitution enrollment criteria and would have became enrolled members at the completion of the membership application process.

Application for all benefits shall be made by the same survivor through the Tribal Clerk Office. Applications shall be required to be completed in full and accompanied by a certified death certificate and an original billing stating the services full balance due. All paperwork will be verified by staff member of the Tribal Clerk Office. Upon verification, a purchase/payment voucher will be made which will be processes through the Tribal Accounting Office and mailed directly to the funeral service provider through the U.S. Postal Service.

A time limit of ninety (90) days after date of death is herby established for survivors to apply for burial benefits and the completion/submission of all necessary paperwork. Anyone applying after this time period will automatically be denied and will not receive benefits under this program. Tribal members are also eligible for a $500 benefit from the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe for meal expenses during the time of funeral and a benefit for $1,000 to cover hotel accommodations for funeral attendees .

The burial program shall be effective November 18, 1999. Any survivor of the member who expired shall have ninety (90) days from the date of death to apply for benefits. (Original Burial Program applies to all deaths from Oct. 1, 1994 to Nov. 17, 1999 with benefits limited to a maximum of $3,000.)

LODGING BENEFIT

This benefit provides for reimbursement of actual lodging expenses room expense only excluding additional services and / or cost for immediate family members living outside fifty (50) mile radius of the city in which the funeral is held given that prior notification is provided to Tribal Clerk office of who will be staying and how long. Without prior notification, reimbursement will not be granted and an automatic denial will be issued. Maximum reimbursement amount is limited to $ 1,000. A maximum of ten (10) standard/first class rooms are eligible for utilization at any lodging entity or Soaring Eagle Resort dependant upon available vacancies. All other lodging entities expenses shall not exceed the maximum $ 1,000. Maximum stay is to be limited to three nights for any given room...any combination of rooms and length of stay must meet or not exceed the maximum $ 1,000 benefit limit. If lodging expenses exceed $ 1,000 grant shall be payable directly to the person applying for the Tribal Burial Program benefits.

MEAL BENEFIT

The Tribe created a Burial Fund that is intended to provide financial assistance to survivors of the Tribal member decedent for funeral expenses. This program provides for reimbursement of actual meal expenses. Maximum reimbursement amount is limited to no more than $500. The maximum $500 grant shall be payable directly to the person applying for the Tribal Burial Program benefit. In cases in which the meal is provided by the decedent's church, the meal grant can be designated as a donation to be payable to the church.