The Ute Business Committee has announced that previously terminated or changed Supplemental Security Income SSI benefits have been restored for tribal members. According to the news release, many tribal members had SSI benefits terminated or decreased due to receipt of royalty payments but the United States Social Security Administration SSA has now acknowledged that those payments derived from Tribal trust resources are exempt from the SSA’s calculation for SSI. “The current Administration’s bold action to stand in support of this Nation’s trust responsibility to Indian Tribes in reaching this decision will ensure that our most vulnerable Tribal Members’ health, safety and welfare are protected,” shares Business Committee Chairman Shaun Chapoose. “For far too long, our Tribal Members have been subject to arbitrary and discredited policies that sought to penalize us for benefitting from the development of our Tribe’s oil and gas resources.” The full news release is shared on the Ute Business Committee Facebook page.
