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TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - The Cherokee Nation will soon begin accepting applications for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Cherokee Nation provides emergency heating assistance to eligible applicants that live within the jurisdictional boundaries of the Cherokee Nation and do not have income that exceeds the national poverty income guidelines.

The Cherokee Nation tribal membership card, or the blue card, is required when making application. The head of household must be of Indian descent. Applications will be accepted in all Cherokee Nation Human Service offices December 1 through December 19. Actual payment may be delayed due to the lack of an approved federal budget. If federal LIHEAP funding is provided, payments will not be made until January.

The Cherokee Nation may offer further LIHEAP assistance in January with the start of the Crisis Assistance program. The crisis must be energy related and one that could result in the family losing the means of heating their home through cut-off notices, or running out of heating fuel. The family’s income cannot exceed the national poverty income guidelines. Crisis applications will be accepted in the Cherokee Nation Human Service offices on Monday, January 5, and will be accepted until services are exhausted.

Related contact information:

Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager Cherokee Nation - Public Affairs Phone 918-456-0671 (Ex.2324) E-mail: ldaugherty@cherokee.org

Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation Natural Resources Specialist Phone: 918-456-0671 (ex.2843) E-mail: bpeak@cherokee.org