[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 244 (Monday, December 21, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70414-70415]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-33665]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Indian Affairs


Distribution of Fiscal Year 1999 Welfare Assistance Funds

AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of method of distribution of Fiscal Year (FY) 1999 
Welfare Assistance Funds within Part 20--Financial Assistance and 
Social Services Program.

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SUMMARY: The purpose of this announcement is to issue the Bureau of 
Indian Affairs (Bureau) administrative procedures for distribution of 
Welfare Assistance Funds (funds utilized within 25 CFR 20). These 
administrative procedures are designed to provide Bureau personnel and 
tribal contractors/compactors with assistance in carrying out their 
responsibilities when distributing welfare assistance funds. These 
procedures are not regulations establishing program requirements.

DATES: The Mid-Year Analysis of Funds Reports are due on April 30, 
1999. For Bureau and tribal programs on fiscal year systems, this 
report will include actual expenditures and caseload for 6 months and 
projections for the remaining 6 months. Those tribal programs on 
calendar year systems will include actual expenditures and caseload for 
3 months and projections for the remaining 9 months. Area offices will 
notify Bureau Agencies and tribes of due dates and locations for 
transmission of these reports. In addition, the Office of Self-
Governance will notify tribes of due dates and locations for 
transmission of these reports.

ADDRESSES: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office 
of Self-Governance, 1849 C Street, NW, MS-2548-MIB, Washington, D.C. 
20240. Telephone: (202) 219-0240. Department of the Interior, Bureau of 
Indian Affairs, Office of Tribal Services, Division of Social Services, 
1849 C Street, NW, MS-4603-MIB, Washington, D.C. 20240. Telephone: 
(202) 208-2479.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A total of $94,010,000 is available to meet 
welfare

[[Page 70415]]

assistance requirements (general assistance, TWEP, child welfare 
assistance, and miscellaneous assistance) during FY 1999.

Method of Distribution

    There will be two distributions of welfare assistance funds in FY 
1999. The first distribution will be an amount equal to 75 percent of 
projected expenditures for FY 1998 minus prior year unliquidated 
balances. The second and final distribution of welfare assistance will 
be made on or about June 1, 1999. This distribution will be based upon 
submission and analysis of the Mid-Year Analysis of Funds Report for 
all Bureau operated programs and tribal contractors/compactors. If the 
nationwide Mid-Year Analysis of Funds Report indicates that the 
undistributed balance will not be sufficient to cover the entire need 
for welfare assistance, this amount will be distributed pro rata, so 
that all programs (Bureau, contractors and compactors), will receive 
the same percentage level of funds.
    Area offices are responsible for collecting data and providing 
technical assistance to all non-compact tribes (Pub. L. 93-638 contract 
and Pub. L. 102-477 grant) and agencies on completion of the Mid-Year 
Analysis of Funds Report. Self-Governance tribes will submit their 
reports through the Office of Self-Governance in Washington, D.C. The 
area offices will collect these reports from all Bureau offices and 
tribes operating programs within their jurisdiction with the exception 
of the Self-Governance tribes. The area offices will consolidate the 
data including the expenditures and cases into one report for the 
entire area. Those locations which do not submit reports will not 
receive any additional funds. The area offices and the Office of Self-
Governance will submit their consolidated reports with all individual 
tribe and agency reports to the Office of Tribal Services by May 15, 
1999. Area offices and the Office of Self-Governance should also 
provide a short narrative explaining significant changes in caseload 
and expenditures or other circumstances affecting program operation. An 
example would be action by a State resulting in termination of Indian 
clients formerly served by the State Temporary Assistance For Needy 
Families program.

    Dated: December 11, 1998.
Kevin Gover,
Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs.
[FR Doc. 98-33665 Filed 12-18-98; 8:45 am]
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