---
kind: "section"
citation: "25 U.S.C. § 121"
title: "25"
title_heading: "Indians"
number: "121"
heading: "Payment of share of tribal funds to helpless Indians"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/25/121"
units:
  - "Chapter 4 — Performance by United States of Obligations to Indians"
  - "Subchapter II — Disbursement of Moneys and Supplies"
---

# §121. Payment of share of tribal funds to helpless Indians


The pro rata share of any Indian who is mentally or physically incapable of managing his or her own affairs may be withdrawn from the Treasury in the discretion of the [Secretary](/usc/25/5130.md?p=1) of the Interior and expended for the benefit of such Indian under such rules, regulations, and conditions as the said [Secretary](/usc/25/5130.md?p=1) may prescribe: Provided, That said funds of any Indian shall not be withdrawn from the Treasury until needed by the Indian and upon his application and when approved by the [Secretary](/usc/25/5130.md?p=1) of the Interior.


## Source credit

(Mar. 2, 1907, ch. 2523, § 2, 34 Stat. 1221; May 18, 1916, ch. 125, § 1, 39 Stat. 128.)

## Notes

### 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.