For WA State Tribal Fishers: NOAA Cares Act Relief Payments Coming Friday

Relief Payments from NOAA Cares Act State Funds coming Friday for Washington state ceremonial/subsistence fishers as well as for commercial fishers.

Note: this is NOT part of the COVID-19 Hardship Assistance program recently announced by Suquamish Tribal Council. This is a completely separate program.

Payments will be issued Friday, July 30, for all Tribal members 18 years old and above as part of NOAA Cares Act STATE  funds earmarked for subsistence and/or ceremonial fishers. Because all Tribal members are subsistence fishers, this payment will go out to all Tribal members residing in the state.

Payments will be made to those who were at least 18 years old prior to June 30, 2020, as that was the deadline for harvestable species dates required within Jan. 1, 2020 to June 31, 2020 window.

Payment will also be made to commercial fishers as part of Cares Act STATE Funds paid out by species catch. Each species payout will be per species for clams, halibut, and geoduck.

Payments will be made by mail or direct deposit. If you’ve had an address change, please be sure to update your records with enrollment by Sept. 20, 2021 to receive your payment. We encourage everyone to make sure their address is current.