How It Works

Proof of event, income, expenses and unpaid bills you seek assistance with.

Proof of unexpected event: Proof of injury, illness, hospitalization, etc.

Proof of income: Provide from all sources of income, including from those who live with you.

Current pay stubs (wages and deductions): If you have just returned to work after being out of work, provide proof of benefits received along with former pay stubs.

Current benefit statements: For employer’s short-term disability benefits (injury/illness, not work related), workers compensation benefit (injury/illness, work related), or unemployment insurance benefits, plus former pay stubs.

Pensions, annuity, alimony, child support, food stamps.

Business income, self-employment, rental income.

Proof of expenses: Current housing statement (rent, mortgage, property tax). Include rent subsidy, if applicable, and utilities statement (electric, gas, oil, etc.)

The unpaid bill(s) you request help with. If the request is for repairs, at least two estimates are required. Vehicle information is required, including drivers license, vehicle registration and title, auto insurance and auto loan statement (if applicable) for any event or bill related to a vehicle.

Your household should be self-supporting, have a steady work history and work-related income.

The primary focus of this fund is to help individuals who are normally working, with a long and steady history of being self-supporting. They have been taking care of their own needs, but are unable to do so when a recent, sudden and unexpected event has caused a temporary financial emergency. It is expected that with our minor assistance (there are budgetary limits and restrictions), the problem will be resolved and self-support continues.

Once we receive your application, you are given a file number. Applications are generally reviewed in the order they are received.

A volunteer will then contact you by phone and/or mail to discuss and clarify your situation. This is so they have a clear understanding of your problem and need, along with what steps you have taken to resolve the situation yourself. You may be asked to submit missing and/or additional information. They may make suggestions for other resources that may be available to you.

A volunteer also might verify information with applicable agencies, organizations, individuals and creditors. In other words, we may speak with your landlord, utility provider, auto insurance agent, auto repair garage, etc. We need to confirm what payment is needed for them to provide continued services for you. If you are involved with or have an application with another relief organization, we may also be in contact with them.

The time frame depends on how many applications we have received and how many volunteers we have to work on them. We do our best to get through them as quickly as possible.

Once a volunteer begins to work on your application and all requested information is received and verified, it may take approximately two weeks for a determination.

No. We do not need to meet with you in person. We do a telephone interview to discuss and clarify your particular situation and need. You may be asked to submit additional information to support your circumstances. Our focus is on those working and self-supporting; you should not have to lose pay while seeking assistance. This would only compound your difficulties.

Our office is staffed by unpaid volunteers. Each volunteer generously donates a few hours of their time, generally one day per week. It would not be fair to you if we had you wait a full week or more to have the same volunteer review the information you sent. Each volunteer will try to complete an open file they have been working on first before they move on to the next file waiting for attention.

No payment is made directly to you. If approved, the payment goes directly to the vendor. You will also be sent a letter confirming the details of the assistance granted, so you would have a receipt for your records.

You will be notified in writing; in addition, you may be notified by phone.

No. We will not call the utility company until we have received your completed application. But you should be in contact with your utility company to discuss payment agreement options and other resources. Please let them know what actions you are taking to resolve the matter yourself in addition to what agencies you may have contacted.

You cannot apply on their behalf because personal information is obtained. We will also need to speak to them directly. You probably are not privy to the whole story or details. But we urge you to speak to them about our fund. Perhaps you could persuade them to contact us. Let us send you an application so you have it on hand when you have that next neighborly conversation, and do express your concern to them. Maybe they didn’t realize anyone even noticed them.

Sorry, generally no. We do not have the budget or resources to supplement the government. We do not provide ongoing assistance.

Probably not. You have certain requirements and obligations tied to receiving those benefits. If you fail to comply with all those requirements it is not unforeseen that you would be penalized for it. You had not been self-supporting.

Yes. Hopefully your situation has improved or may benefit from your submission of additional information. If not, you cannot expect a different outcome.

Yes. However, it is not our purpose to provide “annual assistance.” We understand that catastrophic events can touch a household more than once in a lifetime. You must complete a new application and submit it with all current documents. Your application will then be evaluated as to what is this unexpected event, along with a review of circumstances last year and the amount of aid previously provided. We do have budgetary limits and restrictions. We generally discourage chronic applications.

Yes. We do not assist with credit card payments, legal fees, motor vehicle fees, restitutions, tickets or fines. We do not assist with your alimony or child support obligations. In addition, we do not assist with security deposits or the purchase of vehicles. There may be other items not listed.

No. The Times Herald-Record and its reporters do not have access to your file or review your personal documents.

But, during our annual promotional/fundraising campaign, the Times Herald-Record does print stories of some of the people we have been able to help during the past year. We do ask your permission to use your case; your name is not published, unless you prefer otherwise. Once your permission is granted, a reporter would contact you directly to discuss how we had been able to assist you in your time of need; you only disclose as many details as you feel comfortable with. Your unique story and the challenges you had help us to promote goodwill so we may continue to assist others in your community in their time of need. Your anonymous story helps to pay it forward.

Yes. We do not share information without your consent. But per your signed release on the application form, we do verify information with applicable agencies, organizations, individuals and creditors. This is to assess your immediate need and if there are other agencies and programs that may assist you as well. This is an information-gathering process before an approval or denial can be made or determined.

No. We are a non-profit agency, paying a bill on your behalf. The grant is a gift and is far below any amount that would have tax implications.