(a) A Tribe must specify in its NEW Program plan the population and service area to be served. In cases where a Tribe designates a service area for its NEW Program that is different from its Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) service area, an explanation must be provided.

(b) A Tribe must include eligibility criteria in its plan and establish internal operating procedures that clearly specify the criteria to be used to establish an individual's eligibility for NEW services. The eligibility criteria must be equitable.