The U.S. House of Representatives considers H.R.42, the Alaska Native Settlement Trust Eligibility Act, on February 4, 2025.

H.R.42 amends the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) to ensure that Alaska Natives who are elderly, blind or disabled are not punished when they seek federal assistance. Currently, any resources provided by Native corporations counts against them — for everything from Social Security programs to food benefits.

“For decades, Alaska Native corporations have provided vital support to their shareholders, including through settlement trusts, an essential tool Congress authorized in 1988 to deliver benefits in a structured, perpetual way,” said Rep. Nick Begich (R-Alaska), a new member of the U.S. Congress and the sponsor of the bill. “However, due to an oversight in the law, payments from these trusts are counted as income when determining eligibility for Federal programs like Supplemental Security Income, SNAP, and housing assistance.”

“That means visually impaired and disabled Alaska Natives and elders are forced to make an impossible choice: accept the benefits from their settlement trusts or maintain their access to critical assistance,” said Begich.

Following consideration, the House approved the bill by a voice vote under a suspension of the rules.

Note: Thumbnail photo by Mary Harrsch (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)