Indian Employment Assistance

To provide vocational training and employment opportunities to eligible American Indians and Alaska Natives to reduce Federal dependence.

Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments and Native American Organizations authorized by Indian Tribal Governments may apply to administer the program. Individual American Indian and Alaska Native applicants must be a member of a Federally Recognized Indian Tribe, be in need of financial assistance, and reside on or near an Indian reservation or in Alaska under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Members of Federally Recognized Indian Tribes who are unemployed, underemployed, or in need of training to obtain reasonable and gainful employment. Complete information on beneficiary eligibility is found in 25 CFR, Part 26.

Initial applications by Indian Tribal Governments to administer the program must contain the information specified in 25 CFR, Part 900, Subpart C, "Contract Proposal Contents." Completed applications should be submitted to the local Bureau of Indian Affairs agency office listed in Appendix IV. Individual American Indian and Alaska Native applicants should apply for program services on the Bureau of Indian Affairs Form BIA-8205 if they are applying at the nearest Bureau Employment Assistance office to their residence. If an eligible applicant is applying for services from a tribal program contractor the tribe will make available a facsimile (application).

The dollar value of the awards to Indian Tribal Governments depends upon the amount that has been prioritized by the individual Tribe through tribal participation in the Bureau of Indian Affairs' Tribal Priority Allocation budget formulation process. Applications for individual benefits are approved by the Bureau Agency Superintendent or authorized tribal representative.

Applications by Tribal Governments to administer the program will be processed within 90 days. Applications by individuals for benefits will be processed within 30 days.