Financial Assistance

About

The Financial Assistance Department assists Osage members and other Native Americans residing within the service area. The types of assistance include utility assistance, emergency assistance to prevent homelessness, cash assistance to unemployed individuals, or cash assistance to needy families while establishing employment plans and promoting self-sufficiency.

Contact

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Phone: 918-287-5325
Fax: 918-287-5593
Email: financial-assist@osagenation-nsn.gov

Physical Address: 239 West 12th Street, Pawhuska, OK 74056
Mailing Address: 627 Grandview Avenue, Pawhuska, OK 74056

Leadership

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Director:

Andrea Kemble

Crisis Program

The Osage Nation Crisis Assistance Program assists enrolled Osage Nation members in alleviating crises beyond financial control. Applicants may receive up to $2,000 in assistance within a fiscal year (Oct-Sept). The service area is the United States. Assistance is available to address or prevent homelessness or the threat of homelessness, unsafe or unsanitary living conditions, fire or natural disaster, major car repair, or a family emergency.

Crisis Assistance Policy

Crisis Assistance Application

Employment and Training Program

The Employment and Training Program operates on a fiscal year (October through September) and serves low-income Native Americans within the Osage Reservation by providing temporary employment and training activities. The goal of this program is to assist participants in becoming self-sufficient. We can provide services in the following areas:

• Education Assistance (GED classes, Adult Education, Vocational Training, Occupational Training, Skills Training)
• Employment Assistance (Employment Counseling, Job Search, Career Development, On-the-job training, Directly Job Placement)
• Cash Assistance (General Assistance, TANF) depending upon need and eligibility.

For more information, please review the respective program policy:

• Employment and Training Policy
• Employment and Training Application
• Certification of Address
• Unemployment Statement
• Appeal Request Form
• Worksite Agreement

Youth Employment Program 

The Youth Employment Program services Osage and Native American youths, ages 16-21 years, who reside within the Osage Reservation. The program provides assistance, in the form of work experience, specialized workshops/training, and financial literacy to eligible youth. The program is designed to prepare Youth to enter the workforce by providing experience and training.  Participating youth will receive $15 per hour and may work up to 32 hours a week. Youth will participate in mock interviews, orientation, and 8 weeks of work experience beginning June 3, 2024, and ending on July 26, 2024. The Youth Employment Program exercises Osage member preference and has limited positions available for Osage members that do not qualify for federal programs.

The application period opens on March 1, 2024, and closes on March 29, 2024. Interested youth can submit their application via:

• Email at financial-assist@osagenation-nsn.gov
• Mail to Financial Assistance 627 Grandview Ave. Pawhuska, OK 74056
• Place in the drop box located at the Welcome Center 239 W. 12th St. Pawhuska, OK 74056

Youth Employment Application

Cash Assistance

• General Assistance
• TANF

Education Assistance

• GED classes
• Adult Education
• Vocational Training
• Occupational Training
• Skills Training

Employment Assistance

• Employment Counseling
• Job Search
• Career Development
• On-the-job training
• Directly Job Placement
• Employment & Training Application
  • Employment and Training Application
  • Employment and Training Policy
  • Certification of Address
  • Unemployment Statement
  • Appeal Request Form

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) 

The Utility Assistance Program operates for a fiscal year (October through September) and serves low-income Native American households within the Osage Reservation (Osage County) by providing residential energy assistance and repairing heating/cooling units. This program provides financial assistance applied to the energy bill and operates on a seasonal schedule: a heating season, a cooling season, and a crisis.

Available Assistance:

1. Heating Assistance is available from November 1st through March 31st and may be awarded once each fiscal year per applicant. The benefit includes payment for a utility that provides heat to the home. The utility can be propane, natural gas, or electric. The benefit also includes a space heater, an electric blanket, and/or weatherization materials as funding permits.
2. Cooling Assistance is available from April 1st through August 31st and may be awarded once each fiscal year per applicant. The benefit includes payment for an electric bill. This benefit also includes an oscillating box fan and/or weatherization materials, as funding permits.
3. Crisis Assistance is available throughout the year and may be awarded once each fiscal year per crisis-eligible applicant. This benefit provides utility assistance, Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC) repair/replacement for eligible homeowners, or HVAC system preventative maintenance. The program will intervene to resolve the energy crisis within 18 to 48 hours. The applicant must have used a regular heating or cooling benefit before applying for the crisis utility benefit.

• Application
• Utility Assistance Appeal Request Form
• Utility Assistance Policy

Utility bills must be in the applicant's name and the service address must match the address on the application. The program will not assist with utility deposits. Applications must be received at least five (5) business days before the disconnect date. For more information please read the full policy.

If you have any information about possible fraud, waste or the misuse of LIHEAP funds, please help us eliminate it by calling Health and Human Services Fraud Alert hotline 1-800-477-8477 or via their website or mail:

US Department of Health and Human Services
Office of Inspector General
ATTN: OIG HOTLINE OPERATIONS
PO Box 23489
Washington, DC 20026

𐓲𐓣 𐓷𐓘𐓻𐓶𐓬𐓣 Program (Tsi Wa Zhu Pi)

The 𐓲𐓣 𐓷𐓘𐓻𐓶𐓬𐓣 Program operates on a fiscal year (October through September) and serves low-income Native Americans families, residing in the service area (Osage County). This program is designed to help families spend more time together as their children participate in sports, art initiatives and after-school activities. The total amount per family varies by the size of the family. Costs associated with sports, art initiatives and after-school programs may include, but not limited to: school clothing, school supplies, lunches, fees, equipment, uniforms, supplies, materials, and other related expenses.

Youth participants, Pre-K through 12^TH grade, youth must be have membership with a federally recognized tribe and the family unit monthly income cannot exceed 125% of the Health & Human Services Federal Poverty Guidelines.

• Application
• Certification of Address
• Appeal Request form
• Policy

Families may participate in the following activities: