Medical Emergency Travel Assistance

Elsie Thomas, Coordinator
3009 E. Portland Avenue
Tacoma, WA 98404
(253) 573-7884 • (253) 573-7851 Fax

Mission Statement

The intent of the Medical Emergency Travel Assistance Program is to assist Puyallup Tribal Members with traveling expenses while visiting a relative who is hospitalized for one or more days with an illness or condition.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant must be:

  • Puyallup Tribal Member who is 18 years and older;
  • An immediate or extended relative of the person who is hospitalized.
Additional eligible hospital stays:
  • Newborns under 12 months with hospital stay longer than 3 weeks;
  • Family member in ICU for over 4 days.

Ineligible Applicants: Relative Hospital Stays

  • Relative is in day surgery, out-patient surgery or pregnancies (giving birth).

Definitions for Family Members

Immediate: Spouse or Children; Extended: Mother, Father, Brother, Sister, Aunt, Uncle, Grandfather and Grandmother.

Emergency Travel Assistance (Immediate or Extended Family) Ground Transportation

  • $100 – The applicant lives within the county in which the hospital is located and less than 300 miles;
  • $150 – The applicant lives outside the county in which the hospital is located and greater than 300 miles;
  • $500 – Applicant lives outside the state in which the hospital is located.

Airfare Assistance (Immediate or Extended Family)

  • Within Continental USA: up to $500 (immediate and extended family member). If ticket is over $500, the applicant is responsible for the balance;
  • If travel is under $500: applicant can use remaining balance for travel related expenses (receipts required);
  • Outside continental USA: $1,000 (immediate family member only). If the ticket is over $1,000, the applicant is responsible for the balance;
  • If travel is under $1,000, the applicant can use remaining funding for travel related expenses. Must turn in receipts.

Applications, Policies and Procedures

Medical Emergency Travel Assistance Applications and Policies and Procedures can be obtained at the above address.

Hours of Operation

Monday – Friday
8:00 am – 5:00 pm