EBCI GenWell Program
The EBCI GenWell Program is a voluntary, tax-free general welfare benefit program run by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) Department of Treasury for enrolled adult tribal members. Launched March 1, 2023, it offers members an alternative to the Tribe's long-running taxable Per Capita casino-revenue dividend, using the federal Tribal General Welfare Exclusion (TGWE) Act of 2014 to exclude payments from gross income. Funding derives from the Tribe's 50% share of net gaming revenue from Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort properties. Members choose fixed monthly amounts ($800, $500, $300, or $200) plus a semi-annual balance in June and December, or a straight semi-annual payment, mirroring the size of the Per Capita distribution. It replaced the Tribe's former Per Capita Loan program while the taxable Per Capita option remains available in parallel.
Tribal, Casino Revenue, Cash Transfer, Cherokee, Tax-Free, General Welfare Exclusion, Indigenous
Headquarters
- Organization Name
- Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
- City
- Cherokee
- State / Province
- North Carolina
- Country
- United States
Contact
- Phone
- +1 828 359 6000
- genwell@ebci-nsn.gov
- Social media links
Status & Funding
- Organization status
- Active
- Program status
- Active
- Application status
- Rolling
- Funding type
- Government
Benefits
- Currency Type
- Fiat
- Currency
- USD
- Payment frequency
- Monthly
- Ongoing / unconditional
- Yes
- Distribution Type
- Direct Deposit, Mailed Check, Third-Party Tribal Member Benefits Program (TMBP) Debit Card
- Benefit details
Enrolled members select one of five monthly options ($800, $500, $300, $200, or $0), with the remaining balance (mirroring the Tribe's Per Capita distribution amount) paid as a lump sum in June and/or December; amounts vary year to year based on casino net gaming revenue. Because payments qualify as an 'Indian general welfare benefit' under the TGWE Act, they are excluded from federal (and generally state) gross income and are not reported on a 1099. Garnishments for child support, court fines, or tribal debts still apply. Enrollment/changes are allowed only during two annual open-enrollment windows, in March and September.
Eligibility
Overview
- Eligibility details
Eligibility is limited to enrolled EBCI tribal members age 18 or older who are not subject to specific exemptions under the plan; enrollment is fully voluntary and members may instead remain on the standard taxable Per Capita distribution. No proof of individual financial need or receipts are currently required to participate. The program does not yet extend to minors, whose funds remain in the taxable Minor's Trust Fund.
Demographics
- Minimum age
- 18
- Race / ethnicity targets
- Enrolled members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (Native American/Cherokee)
Citizenship
- Tribal enrollment required
- Yes
Geography
- US states covered
- North Carolina
- Countries covered
- United States
Participation
- Research / participation requirements
GenWell itself imposes no research participation requirement on enrollees. However, the underlying Per Capita/casino-dividend cash-transfer structure it mirrors has been the subject of the long-running Great Smoky Mountains Study led by Dr. Jane Costello and colleagues at Duke University, which has tracked EBCI and non-EBCI children since 1993 as a natural experiment on unconditional cash transfers and child/adolescent mental health, poverty, and substance use outcomes; participation in that separate academic study is independent of enrollment in GenWell or Per Capita.
Application Process
- How to apply
Enrolled EBCI members apply online via a Microsoft Forms link posted at ebci.gov/genwell, providing full legal name, EBCI enrollment number, last four digits of SSN, date of birth, mailing address, phone number, and optional email. Applications/changes are accepted only during open-enrollment windows in March and September each year; a phone helpline (828-359-6000) and email (genwell@ebci-nsn.gov) are available for assistance.
- Selection process
No competitive selection; any enrolled EBCI member age 18+ who applies during an open-enrollment period and meets basic plan requirements is admitted, with no demonstration of individual need required.
