Community Members to Receive $500 this Spring

Kahnawa’kehró:non can look forward to a bit of a financial boost this coming Spring.

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) has announced the introduction of a one-time Inflationary Benefit Payment, which will see every member on the Kahnawà:ke Kanien’kehá:ka Registry (aged 18 or older) receive $500 in May 2026.

The initiative comes in response to the rising cost of living, and is intended to offset inflationary pressures and provide financial relief directly to community members. In a release, Ohén:ton í:rate ne Ratitsénhaienhs Cody Diabo said the payment will support Kahnawa’kehró:non struggling with the mental toll of financial instability. “In a time where inflation has impacted our everyday lives and has caused immense stress, anxiety, and financial uncertainty among community members, this one-time payment provides a meaningful way to support all during these difficult times” Diabo said.

Ratsénhaienhs Paul Rice, Economic Development and Administrative Affairs Portfolio Lead, adds that the initiative is being paid for by Kahnawà:ke’s gaming industry. “The majority of our own source revenue comes from gaming revenue, so we wanted to do something that would have a direct impact on individual community members” he said in an interview with K1037 News. “We know there’s been a lot of increases to [the] cost of living, and inflation has really had an impact on the average family. So yes, we wanted to allocate gaming revenue to this first-time Inflationary Benefit Payment.

Rice says that community members will receive a callout in the coming weeks, reminding them to update their information and ensure it matches the Kahnawà:ke Kanien’kehá:ka Registry. “When that callout happens, it’s important that you contact the appropriate department and update your information so that you will, in fact, receive the payment”.