Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance (BIA GA) is a federally funded program administered by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) through its local agency or a tribe. The program makes periodic payments to needy Indians.

The administering agency determines need according to the standards used by State welfare agencies for Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC).

BIA GA payments are federally funded income based on need and, therefore, count as income on a dollar-for-dollar basis regardless of whether they are paid in cash or in kind. The $20 per month general income exclusion does not apply.

Develop BIA GA payments using the instructions and development guidelines for AFDC payments in SI 00830.400 D., except contact the local agency administering the BIA GA program rather than the AFDC agency.

Prospective accounting for BIA GA, SI 02005.025