AT THE REGULAR SESSION OF COUNCIL OF THE SENECA NATION OF INDIANS HELD ON DECEMBER 09, 2023 AT THE WILLIAM SENECA BUILDING ON THE CATTARAUGUS TERRITORY.
EXECUTIVES PRESENT:
PRESIDENT : RICKEY L. ARMSTRONG, SR.
CLERK: BETHANY JOHNSON
PRO TEMPORE TREASURER: PRESLEY REDEYE
TO APPROVE POORMASTER VOUCHER POLICY CLARIFICATION
MOTION: by Keith White, seconded by Maurice John. Sr. that the Seneca Nation Council approves the following resolution:
WHEREAS, Council approved an amended Seneca Nation Poormaster Food Voucher Policy with the passage of CN: S-11-14-23-16; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary to further amend and clarify the Nation’s Poormaster Food Voucher Policy, including the addition of income eligibility guidelines based on household size.
NOW, THERFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council approves the amended Seneca Nation Poormaster Food Voucher Policy attached hereto.
ALL IN FAVOR MOTION CARRIED
CERTIFICATION:
I hereby certify the foregoing extract is a true and correct copy from the minutes of the Regular Session of Council of the Seneca Nation of lndians held on December 09, 2023 on the Cattaraugus Territory, original of which is on file in the Clerk’s Office of the Seneca Nation of Indians.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name and caused the seal to be affixed at the William Seneca Building, on the Cattaraugus Territory, on the 13th day of December 2023.
ATTEST:
Bethany Johnson, Clerk
Seneca Nation Poormaster Food Voucher Policy
The Seneca Nation Council has allocated funds to the Seneca Nation Poormasters to provide food vouchers to enrolled members of the Seneca Nation who are experiencing a temporary financial hardship and need funds for food. Food vouchers are available for those who qualify and who reside within an 80-mile radius of the Cattaraugus, the Allegany, and the Oil Spring Territories, as well as Buffalo, NY, and Erie, PA
Food Voucher Policy Provisions:
- Only enrolled members of the Seneca Nation are eligible to apply to receive a food voucher and MUST show a valid Seneca Nation Identification Card. Documentation will be required for all members living in the household who apply for Poormaster food voucher services.
- Enrolled Seneca Nation members on public assistance are eligible for Poormaster food voucher services.
- Enrolled Seneca Nation members who are not on public assistance but meet the current ”The Emergency Food Assistance Program” (TEFAP) income eligibility guidelines are eligible to receive Poormaster food voucher services. The updated TEFAP income eligibility guidelines based on household size can be found HERE OR below.
- Requests for a food voucher cannot be made more than once every six (6) months from the date the last voucher was issued. This will be strictly enforced.
- Only one (1) food voucher per family: qualifying head of household will receive $70.00 and each additional qualifying family member will receive $50.00 (for example, a family consisting of head of household and two children would receive a $170.00 voucher).
- Proper identification must be presented to the grocer at the time of purchase.
- Individuals will be responsible to pay for any amount over the voucher amount.
- Change will not be given if the groceries total less than the voucher amount
- Non-food items are EXCLUDED (this includes such items as diapers, toilet paper, tobacco, alcohol, etc.).
New York State TEFAP eligibility guidelines
Am I Eligible?
Effective January 2023, the New York State TEFAP eligibility guidelines concerning products for household consumption were updated to at or below 225% of the federal income poverty levels. The table has been updated to reflect this change.
Recipients are also categorically eligible for TEFAP products for household consumption if they participate in one or more of the following programs: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), Medicaid, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
