FAQ Category: CRF Program

Of the $150 billion in direct assistance, tribes are eligible to receive $8 billion in set-aside funding for tribal governments. After a lengthy delay due to litigation, on June 25, 2021, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Alaska Native Corporations are eligible to receive a portion of the tribal government CRF set-aside. Each CRF recipient has the flexibility of how and when to use their funds to meet immediate needs but must follow and adhere to federal guidance and requirements. The amount that Chugach Alaska Corporation (Chugach) may receive has yet to be determined but all funds will be spent for the purpose of offsetting unanticipated necessary COVID-19 related expenses for Chugach operations, shareholders and the Chugach region that were incurred between March 1, 2020 and Dec. 31, 2021.

On March 27, 2020 the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) was passed by Congress and signed into law by the President of the United States in response to the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The CARES Act established the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) through the U.S. Department of Treasury that provides $150 billion in direct assistance for states, tribal governments, units of local governments, D.C., and U.S. territories. This assistance is to help pay for unanticipated expenses related to the COVID-19 public health emergency.