Western Shoshone Project

Update

May 14, 2012

On May 7, 2012, the Western Shoshone Project Office completed the quality assurance (QA) review process of all 9612 applications that were received by close of business on December 31, 2010.  The Western Shoshone Project Office is now working with the BIA Central Office to process the appeals that were filed by those applicants that were determined ineligible during the review process.  During the months of April and May, as part of the QA process, the project office sent out (by regular mail) approximately 252 denial letters (second mailing) to those applicants whose original denial letters (sent return / receipt) were returned to the Project Office as undelivered.  These second mailings are required as per 25 CFR 61.11.  Please be advised that there could be as many as 252 more appeals filed that would have to be processed (this does not include the 431 appeals before the ASIA for a final decision).  We anticipate the appeals being processed by August 31, 2012.

Target date for the final payment is: September 30, 2012.  Once all the appeals have been processed and a final judgment roll has been determined on the anticipated date of August 31, 2012, an additional 30 days will be needed to get the correct information transmitted to the Treasury Department for the final payment.  There will be six payment files that will need to be tested and corrected of all errors prior to final transmission to Treasury.  For those individuals that received a partial payment there will be a check file and direct deposit file. For those individuals that did not receive a partial payment but will receive the full payment amount there will be a check file and direct deposit file.  For supervised IIM accounts there will be a file for those individuals that received a partial payment and a file for those individuals that will receive the final full payment amount. We will continue to work diligently on this project to try to get done earlier, however this is the best estimate that we can provide at this time.

How can you help?

• The Western Shoshone Project Office has been experiencing a high volume of calls concerning the final per capita payment amount.  Please refrain from calling us for this information as we will not have that amount until all the appeals are settled and we have the total number of eligible applicants to share in the Judgment. Only at that time will we know the actual amount for each person.  While we appreciate the calls, we are unable to provide the final per capita payment amount at this time.
  • Keep your addresses and telephone contact numbers current.  We are gearing up to do a mass mail out of letters this month (May 2012) requesting address and payment verification from the approved eligible applicants.  We will also request the same information from those individuals who are determined eligible as appeal decisions are completed.  In our letter to the eligible applicant we will include the applicant’s name, application number, address and payment type (printed check, direct deposit or IIM account) that we have on file.  If the information in our letter to an eligible applicant is correct, then no further action is required by the eligible applicant.  If our information needs to be updated then the eligible applicant’s written response to our letter must include the applicant’s signature and date of birth.  The eligible applicants may fax in copies of their written responses using the fax number below.  In responding to our letter an eligible applicant will have the opportunity change his (her) elected payment method according to the instructions provided.
  • Important Notice: C/O addressees and Sponsor names will not appear on the final checks to be issued.  Unless we have a court order or Power of Attorney on behalf of the eligible applicant, checks will be issued in the name of the applicant only. If the check is returned to Treasury or our final letter of address and payment verification is returned we may have the funds placed in an IIM account subject to the individual providing the required information.  The reason for this action is to ensure that only eligible applicants receive the per capita payment as required by the Western Shoshone Claims Distribution Act.
  • Probate: If you have any questions pertaining to the probate process, please contact the Western Nevada Agency Probate Office at (775) – 887 – 3500 or the Eastern Nevada Agency Probate Office at (775) – 738 – 5165).

Please submit any changes of information to:

Western Shoshone Project

Post Office Box 3838

Phoenix, Arizona, 85030

Reminder: Any change of information must be provided in writing with the applicant’s signature and date of birth included.  Information should be submitted to the above address or faxed to (602) 253-4520.

Any questions should be directed to the Western Shoshone Project Office at (602) 253-0024.  If the line is busy, please try again.