Lac Courte Oreilles

Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe

TANF

We, the Anishinabeg, the people of Odaawaa-Zaaga’iganiing, the Lac Courte Oreilles Band, will sustain our heritage, preserving our past, strengthening our present, and embracing our future. We will defend our inherent sovereign rights and safeguard Mother Earth. We will provide for the educational, health, social welfare, and economic stability of the present and future generations.

THE 4 PURPOSES OF THE LCO TRIBAL TANF PROGRAM

1
To provide assistance to needy families so that children may be cared for in their own homes or in the homes of relatives
2
To end the dependence of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work, and marriage
3
To prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies and establish annual numerical goals for preventing and reducing the incidence of these pregnancies
4
To encourage the formation and maintanance of two-parent families

MORE RESOURCES

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), job placements and training is available to eligible consumers and provides encouragement to self-sufficiency and personal responsibility to their family livelihood. 

Priority will be given to LCO tribal members who are unemployed. Only needy families, which means financially-deprived, according to the income and resource criteria established on the LCO Tribal TANF plan may receive particular assistance benefit or services. Needy families are defined as an Indian family with a total countable household income equal to less than 200% of the current Federal Poverty level for the size of the family applying for assistance.

 

GOALS

  • To promote self sufficiency and confidence through training, employment, and supportive services;
  • To increase the employment of TANF recipients through setting and accomplishing goals;
  • Breakdown barriers that have prevented self growth.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

  • Any custodian adult single or two parent families or minor head of households, who are enrolled Tribal members of a federally-recognized tribe, who have one of more children, and resides within the defined service area.
  • Any families whose child(ren) are enrolled tribal members of a federally recofnized tribe, and reside within the defined service area.
  • Any pregnant woman in her third trimester (27 weeks) who is an enrolled tribal member of a federally recognized tribe, is at least 18 years of age,m and resides within the defined service area.
  • Child Only Cases: Child(ren) who are being cared for must be enrolled in a federally recognized tribe, kinship care benefits will be excluded in a determination of eligibility,
  1. Family must provide proof they are not eligible for Kindship services, and
  2. Show proof of custody and placement by court.

 

Tribal service area is defined as “on the LCO Reservation and within Sawyer County.”

MANDATORY WORK REQUIREMENTS

  • Individuals participating in the TANF program are required to be engaged in mandatory acceptable work activities. Two-parent families have the options of sharing the required participation hours
  • 24 hours per weeks for single parent families
  • 36 hours per week for two-parent families

The tribe defines “engaged in work” or “allowable work activities” as participation in unsubsidized or subsidized employment, work experience, job search activities, participation in educational activities, life skills training, cultural activities, and other acceptable activities approved by the TANF Program Director

PRE-SCREEN FOR TANF

Table Header
Are you an established Sawyer County / LCO Tribal resident for the past 30 days?
YES
NO
Can you attest that you are not on W-2, TANF in any county, state or other tribe?
YES
NO
Do you have a natural minor child living with you?
YES
NO
Do you have Paternity established of your child by Court Order or child Support?
YES
NO

INCOME LEVEL - 200% OF FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL

2025 FPL table for financial eligibility
Income Guidelines

Group Size Monthly 200%
1
$ 2,608
2
$ 3,525
3
$ 4,441
4
$ 5,358
5
$ 6,275
6
$ 7,191
7
$ 8,108
8
$ 9,025
Each Add’l
Person Add:
$ 800

DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED WITH YOUR COMPLETED PACKET

  • Birth certificates for all members of your household
  • Social Security cards for all members of your household
  • Income verification (check stubs, Per capita statement from participating tribe, SSI/Disability statement, Unemployment statement)
  • Current LCO Tribal enrollment cards
  • Residency verification (Lease, Rental Agreement, Housing Authority, Utility bill in your name...)
  • Current school verification for each child in your household completed by the school
  • Court orders establishing custody and placement (if any)
  • Current Child Support verification completed by Child Support (if any)

DOWNLOAD TANF APPLICATION

STAFF

LOCATED AT

13394 W Trepania Road, Hayward, WI 54843
Phone: 715-634-8934 

Office Hours: Monday – Friday |  8 am to 4:30 pm

 

© 2025 LCO Tribal Government. All Rights Reserved.