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More Than 240k Navajos Apply For Tribal Virus Relief Funding

AP, file

About three-quarters of Navajos enrolled with the tribe have applied for financial assistance due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The deadline to file an application is Monday. Already, more than 240,000 Navajos have applied. The Navajo Nation has about $90 million available for hardship assistance.

The money comes from the tribe's share of a federal coronavirus relief package. More money could be added to the fund next month if other projects fall through.

Tribes across the country have until Dec. 30 to spend the money. Many turned to financial aid programs to disburse the funding quickly.

Ryan Heinsius joined the KNAU newsroom as executive producer in 2013 and was named news director and managing editor in 2024. As a reporter, he has covered a broad range of stories from local, state and tribal politics to education, economy, energy and public lands issues, and frequently interviews internationally known and regional musicians. Ryan is an Edward R. Murrow Award winner and a Public Media Journalists Association Award winner, and a frequent contributor to NPR's Morning Edition, All Things Considered and national newscast.
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