Title 25 — IndiansRelease 119-73
§121 Payment of share of tribal funds to helpless Indians
Title 25 › Chapter CHAPTER 4— - PERFORMANCE BY UNITED STATES OF OBLIGATIONS TO INDIANS › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER II— - DISBURSEMENT OF MONEYS AND SUPPLIES › § 121
Summary
The Secretary of the Interior can take an Indian’s share of money out of the Treasury and spend it for that Indian if the person is mentally or physically unable to manage their own affairs. The money can only be withdrawn when the Indian needs it, asks for it, and the Secretary approves, and the Secretary sets the rules for how the money is used.
Full Legal Text
Title 25, §121
Indians — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
The pro rata share of any Indian who is mentally or physically incapable of managing his or her own affairs may be withdrawn from the Treasury in the discretion of the Secretary of the Interior and expended for the benefit of such Indian under such rules, regulations, and conditions as the said Secretary may prescribe: Provided, That said funds of any Indian shall not be withdrawn from the Treasury until needed by the Indian and upon his application and when approved by the Secretary of the Interior.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Executive Documents
Transfer of Functions
For
Transfer of Functions
of other officers, employees, and agencies of Department of the Interior, with certain exceptions, to Secretary of the Interior, with power to delegate, see Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1950, §§ 1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3174, 64 Stat. 1262, set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
25 U.S.C. § 121
Title 25 — Indians
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73