Up to $50,000 in Financial Aid Available to Native Americans: Plus, $600M Settlement for Ohio Train Derailment Victims and $125M Unclaimed Tax Refunds in California!

$50,000 Financial Aid Available for Native Americans in 2024

$600 Million Settlement for Norfolk Southern Train Derailment Aims to Assist Affected Ohio Residents

According to The U.S. Sun this summer, Native Americans in the U.S. can receive financial aid of up to $50,000 through a program by the Native American community group NDN. To be eligible individuals must meet three criteria be over 18 years old live in Minnesota, North Dakota, or South Dakota, and trace their ancestry to Indigenous groups from the U.S., Canada, or Mexico. Applications closed on April 24, 2024, and recipients will be chosen in July. Payments are expected to start on August 15, providing a significant financial boost to those who qualify.

In addition to this new stimulus effort, a significant financial settlement has been reached in response to the Norfolk Southern train derailment that occurred in East Palestine, Ohio in February of the previous year. This catastrophic event led to a massive legal battle resulting in a $600 million settlement fund. This fund is designated to assist residents and small businesses within a 20-mile radius of the crash site as well as individuals who made personal injury claims within a 10-mile radius. The derailment which involved hazardous materials caused extensive damage and led to the evacuation of around 1,500 to 2,000 residents due to safety and health concerns. The settlement stands as one of the largest payouts in U.S. history for a train derailment aimed at covering both immediate relief and addressing long-term impacts. The funds will help those affected manage the significant cleanup costs and ongoing health risks providing crucial financial relief and support in rebuilding efforts for the community.

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Up to $50,000 in Financial Aid Available to Native Americans: Plus, $600M Settlement for Ohio Train Derailment Victims and $125M Unclaimed Tax Refunds in California! (PHOTO: Marca.com)

$125 Million Unclaimed in California’s Middle-Class Tax Refund Program

Meanwhile, in California a large amount of financial aid remains unclaimed under the state’s Middle-Class Tax Refund (MCTR) program. According to an analysis by California’s Franchise Tax Board approximately $125 million is still available as hundreds of thousands of residents have not yet activated their special debit cards loaded with the funds. The MCTR program was launched to assist Californians with the rising cost of living due to inflation during the pandemic with payments ranging from $200 to $1,050 depending on individual circumstances. These payments were issued either directly to bank accounts or via special debit cards. However, many of these cards remain unused. The state is urging eligible residents to claim their allotted funds before the program’s expiration on April 30, 2026, to ensure they receive the intended financial support. This unclaimed money is crucial for many residents particularly in the face of ongoing economic challenges and reclaiming these funds could provide essential relief from inflation and other financial pressures.

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