Elder Care & Disability Reimbursement Program

The Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma has established a program to aid the elderly population that could benefit from an additional funding source to supplement their households, and/or disability needs, without restricting or interfering with other government programs.

Mission

The Primary purpose of the Elder Care Program is to provide excellent service as we assist our elders in the acquisition of much needed services through our reimbursement program, these services improve the quality of life for our Elders and disabled tribal citizens.

Applications & Information

The deadline for Elder Care and Disability Reimbursement is March 31, 2025, for this fiscal year. Please have all applications with supporting documents postmarked by March 31, 2025, in order to be reimbursed for the fiscal year of 2025 (April 1, 2024 – March 31, 2025). All invoices, receipts, and bills must fall within the 2025 fiscal year of April 1st, 2024 through March 31, 2025.

As of April 1, 2024, any reimbursement request with receipts dated before April 1, 2024, will not be accepted. The new fiscal year 2025 will start on April 1, 2024, and end on March 31, 2025. All receipts and supporting documentation for Fiscal Year 2025 must be dated between April 1 2024 through March 31, 2025.

Eldercare & Disability Reimbursement Program Policies & Procedures with Application

Qualifications & Criteria

The Elder Care and Disability Reimbursement Program (ECDRP) will make available up to $3,500 per fiscal year (April 1st- March 31st) for eligible tribal members. Each eligible tribal member may only choose from one program to receive reimbursement, being limited to 3 requests for services per fiscal year, not to exceed a maximum total of $3,500. All denied benefits or disputes will be reviewed by a 3-person Review Committee comprised of the Tribal Administrator and 2 administrative staff members for the final answer. Individuals will not be permitted to receive benefits as both “elderly” and “disabled.”

Individual must be a current enrolled living citizen of the Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma, evidenced by Tribal Enrollment Card to receive benefits.
For Eldercare applicants: Eligible tribal citizen must be 65 years or older, evidenced by a valid government issued Photo I.D. to receive benefits.
For Adult Disability applicants: Eligible adult tribal citizen must provide an award letter or benefit statement from the Social Security Administration (dated within the last 90 days), to receive disability benefits with each submission. No other proof of disability will be accepted. If an adult citizen is disabled but is not eligible for SSI because you are over income, you will need to request a letter from SSI stating you are disabled but over income. They will give you a letter stating the reason if the letter is requested. Please request one.
For Minor Disability applicants: Eligible minor tribal citizen must provide an award letter or benefit statement from the Social Security Administration (dated within the last 90 days), to receive disability benefits. Minor individuals already receiving Disability Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits payable to a representative payee, will be eligible for the tribal reimbursement program. All payments will be made to the representative payee as designated on the SSI records. No other proof of disability will be accepted. If the applicant is a minor citizen who is disabled but is not eligible for SSI because the parents are over income, you will need to request a letter from SSI stating the child is disabled but the parents are over income. They will give you a letter stating the reason if the letter is requested.

Eligibility for Reimbursement

An approved complete application signed by the applicant or a legal representative must be on file. A new application, with a valid government issued photo ID, is to be submitted with each request during the fiscal year. Each bill/invoice submitted for reimbursement MUST list services of goods provided.
The submission date of the application will be the date the application is received at the Tribal office.
ORIGINAL RECEIPT(s) (Receipts must be legible) must be sent to the tribal office and be dated within the fiscal year of application date.
All receipts must show the date and amount of transaction to coincide with the bill or invoice submitted. There may be times when a receipt will have the information needed on the bill…example: previous payment amount and date. The date the bill is paid will be the paid date. The paid date must fall within the fiscal year.
All receipts must come from the vendor or service provider, contain the vendor’s contact information, and a detailed summary of product(s) and services. If your bill is stamped as paid by the vendor, then it may be used as the bill and receipt. Personally writing the check number and date on the bill is not a receipt.
If the bill is automatically withdrawn from your checking account, you may submit a copy of your checking account statement with that payment highlighted. You may mark out any other personal information on the bank statement.
If your bills are automatically withdrawn from your checking account, you must still submit the bill or invoice that corresponds with the information withdrawn.
Eligibility for both programs cease upon tribal citizen’s death.
Please only submit the bills and proof of payment for reimbursement. There is no need to send in a years’ worth of all your bills.
Reimbursement will be based on the amount paid as shown on proof of purchase/receipt on eligible expenses.

Eligible Expenses

Insurance and Taxes

Life Insurance
Home Owner’s Insurance
Automotive Insurance
Healthcare Insurance
Personal Content Insurance for renters
Property Tax

Note: ALL insurance or proof of ownership of property must be for the tribal citizen only and in the name of the eligible tribal citizen to qualify for payment. If it is not in the eligible tribal citizen’s name, the address must match. (Example: Automotive insurance is in your spouse’s name, but the address is the same on your valid Government Issued Photo ID)

Utilities

Electric
Natural gas
Propane
Wood/pellets for heating purpose
Water
Trash service
Sewer
Telephone services
Rent (may use lease as the bill)
Mortgage Payments
Internet

Note: ALL utilities must be in the name of the eligible tribal citizen to qualify for payment. If the utilities are not in the eligible tribal citizen’s name, the address must match. (Example: Electric bill is in your spouse’s name, but the address is the same on your valid Government Issued Photo ID)

Health Care Expense

Prescription eyeglasses
Dentures
Medical Alert Service
Prescription medication must be filled and dispensed by a licensed pharmacist pharmacy. Due to the Tribe having federal funding, no form of cannabis will be eligible for reimbursement.
Health care deductibles
Physician prescribed ambulatory product (wheelchair, cane, walker)
Hearing aids
Miscellaneous items prescribed by a physician for health purposes.
Home Health (Must be from a State or Tribal certified agency)

Note: ALL prescriptions and deductibles must be in the name of the eligible tribal citizen to qualify for payment.

Contact

Tracy Anderson

Tribal Programs Specialist

tanderson@peoriatribe.com

Donna Harp

Tribal Programs Manager

If you have any questions or would like more information, please, contact Tribal Programs Specialists via email or phone.

Office: 918-540-2535