Calista Corporation Shareholders financially harmed by the COVID-19 pandemic were eligible for assistance through the 2020 CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund.

Applications no longer accepted.

The application period ended at 11:59 pm on November 30, 2021.

Qualified Shareholders who applied Oct. 4-Nov. 15 can expect payments to go out by Dec. 8. Those who applied between November 16-30 should expect payments to go out on or before December 29.

Frequently Asked Questions

When were CARES assistance funds be sent out?

On or by December 8, 2021, for all Calista Shareholders who applied by the original Nov. 15 deadline.

On or by December 29, 2021, for all Calista Shareholders who applied after Nov. 15 and by 11:59 pm on Nov. 30.

How do I confirm my application was received?

When applying, you will have the option to enter your email to receive a confirmation email.

Who was eligible?

Any Calista Shareholder, currently alive, and any age.

What information was needed to apply?

On the online application, Calista Shareholders needed to:

  • Provide their enrollment number, first-middle-last name, and date of birth
  • On the list of hardships (see examples) experienced during the pandemic, check all items that apply
  • Self-certify that all information you provided is true and accurate
Are these CARES assistance funds taxable?

No. According to the IRS, allocations of funds received by an Alaska Native corporation (ANC) from the U.S. government to be used for the benefit of its Shareholders and other eligible recipients are excluded from the ANC’s gross income to the extent that such funds are paid by the ANC in the form of COVID relief payments to or for the benefit of the ANC’s shareholders or other eligible recipients.

Read the full IRS guidance

Where is my enrollment number?
  • Shareholders can find their enrollment number in their https://MyCalista.com account
  • Additionally, on September 23, 2021, Calista mailed out via USPS a letter to every Shareholder with his or her enrollment number
  • For Parents/Guardians completing the application for a minor/dependent: You can find a minor/dependent enrollment number under the My Wards section of https://MyCalista.com.
    • The enrollment number is stated as “Calista ID” in the “Shareholder Confirmation Report.”
When can Calista Shareholders apply?

The application period closed on November 30, 2021.

The application period for Calista’s CARES assistance was first open from October 4 to November 15 and was then extended from November 16 to November 30.

How much did Calista receive?

The 2020 CARES Act allocated $8 billion for Tribes and Alaska Native Corporations. Less than 6% of that amount was allocated to ANCs: about $443 million.

On August 9, 2021, the US Department of Treasury sent $12,201,386.32 to Calista. Read our August 9 announcement.

How will funds be distributed?

Calista will distribute:

  • $11.4 million in assistance to eligible Shareholders ($325 per Shareholder)
  • $10,000 in August 2021 to purchase fish for distribution to Yukon River and Delta area communities
  • $1.6 million for food security efforts for the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta / Calista Region communities via Bethel Community Services Foundation
  • $500,000 to support the purchase of the Sockeye Inn in Anchorage to help those experiencing homelessness, via the Rasmuson Foundation
  • $185,000 for the Kuskokwim River ice road via the Native Village of Napaimute
  • $17,000 for 2021 holiday food distribution via Bethel Community Services Foundation
  • Plus any remaining CARES funds to be considered for additional Shareholder or community support, and partially cover the costs to administer Calista’s CARES assistance program (development of application program, costs to print and distribute to Shareholders, etc.)

  • Note: The U.S. Department of the Treasury has been very clear that all use of CARES funds can be audited. Any use of CARES funds must be regularly reported to Treasury and must meet its requirements. Read the rules.
What will be done with any remaining CARES funds that Calista received?

After Calista’s CARES Tribal relief funds are provided to eligible Shareholders, Calista will determine and authorize other CARES-related funding that meets federal requirements.

See the FAQ above.

Why are Shareholders receiving this amount?

In fall 2021, Calista had over 34,500 Shareholders, and each Shareholder was eligible to apply for this CARES assistance.

On average there are 2.5 Shareholders in each household. That means the average Shareholder household could receive over $800.

We know that these funds won’t even come close to completely cover the financial impacts that many Shareholders have suffered from the pandemic, but we know these payments will help.

What does self-certification mean? Will Calista ask for receipts?

Self-certification is like promising (or attesting) the information provide is true and accurate. Calista will not ask for receipts.

Per the federal government, any use of these CARES funds by Calista must be directly connected to the pandemic.

When an applicant (you) self-certifies, that means you are confirming you were financially harmed by the current coronavirus pandemic since March 2020. (See hardship examples)

Self-certification language:

By signing below, I certify that all of the information provided in this application is true and accurate. I understand that any misrepresentation or inaccurate information may result in a repayment of grant funds. I certify that if I am a legal guardian or fiduciary submitting this application on behalf of a minor or dependent Shareholder that I am legally authorized to do so and that no one else is submitting an application on behalf of that minor or dependent Shareholder.

I certify that no expense or financial hardship for which this grant is sought has been accounted for or reimbursed by any other Alaska Native Corporation, tribal government, local government, or other CARES Act program (such as the Paycheck Protection Program or CARES Act grants from tribes or local governments).

I understand and agree that this grant is subject to Calista Corporation COVID-19 Grant Program Terms and Conditions. I understand and agree that if I receive a grant for expenses to be incurred after the date of my application, I will return those funds that I (i) do not use for authorized purposes, or (ii) do not use by December 31, 2021.

I understand that I am responsible for seeking independent advice to determine the tax implications of receipt of a grant. I agree to retain reasonable documentation of the expenses that any grants funds are used on and to assist Calista Corporation with any further information necessary for verification of submitted information upon reasonable request.

By signing below, I represent, warrant, and certify that the information provided herein is true, correct, and complete. I also understand that this application constitutes a binding contract and shall be deemed a valid original instrument if delivered electronically (e.g., facsimile, PDF, ink or digital stamp, etc.).

How do I update my address or direct deposit account?

At MyCalista.com or by contacting Shareholder Services (shareholder@calistacorp.com).

Why was this an online application?

Two reasons: cost and speed. Online applications are significantly less costly to process compared to paper applications. Also, online applications are much faster to process compared to paper applications.

Another benefit with online forms is that hand-written forms can be hard to read, even when scanned into a computer. For example, a 1 can look like a 7.

Regardless, the recipient is responsible for payment of any taxes or fees associated with any assistance provided pursuant to the COVID-19 Grant Program.

Can Calista use CARES funds for a special dividend?

No. The U.S. Department of the Treasury prohibits distributing CARES funds to Shareholders as a special dividend. Read the Treasury guidelines.

Can Calista use CARES funds for bonuses?

No. Treasury prohibits bonuses from CARES funds. Read the Treasury guidelines.

Why did Tribes get more CARES funds?

That was a decision by Treasury. Read more about how Treasury allocated CARES Tribal funds.

Why did other ANCs get less/more CARES funds?

Treasury determined how much each ANC received. Read more about how Treasury allocated CARES Tribal funds.

What if I already received pandemic-related financial assistance (rent, utilities, etc.)?

Per the federal government, this CARES Tribal relief fund is to assist UNMET financial needs. (See examples)

For example, due to working from home due to the pandemic your internet bill increased from $200/month to $250/month for 10 months (10 x $50 = $500). Your employer provided a total of $100 to help cover the costs of internet use. You have $400 in UNMET needs ($500 – 100 = $400).

Why is this called a grant program?

CARES Tribal relief funding provided to Tribes and Alaska Native Corporations are technically grants from the federal government. Any unused funds must be returned to the federal government. Additionally, any funds the federal government determines was used in a noncompliant manner will need to be repaid to the federal government.

Can Calista be audited on the use of these CARES Tribal relief funds?

Yes.

Can a parent / guardian apply on behalf of a minor/dependent?

Yes. The parent or guardian will need to self-certify on behalf of the minor/dependent.

The parent or guardian must sign on behalf of the minor/dependent. Do not sign the minor/dependent’s name on the application. That will be invalid and not qualified/eligible.

Will the CARES financial assistance from Calista be garnished?

Yes. Tribal, state and federal garnishments apply (child support, tax levies, etc.).

What about Shareholders who only have a few shares (or many shares)?

This CARES financial assistance is a flat $325 per eligible Shareholder. The number of shares owned is not a factor.

Can I complete the Calista CARES Act financial assistance application on my phone?

Yes. The form is fast, easy and uses very little bandwidth.

Can I assist another Calista Shareholder?

Yes, Calista encourages this. The applying Shareholder must self-certify his or her own application.

Can a Tribe or Village Corporation help me complete the Calista CARES Act financial assistance application?

It is up to each Tribe or Village Corporation to decide.

Why does Calista’ CARES financial assistance program end November 30?

Calista will need at least three weeks to review and process any applications received by this date, and then prepare for a distribution to potentially 34,000 eligible Shareholders. Any remaining funds will need to be used by December 31 (meeting federal CARES Act requirements), or returned to the federal government.

Will there be another Calista CARES Act financial assistance program after this?

No.

I still have questions that aren’t answered here.

You may send an email with your question to caresact(at)calistacorp.com.