Hardship Fund is Open

Hello Union Siblings!

Over the past few months, we've worked hard to update and streamline the hardship fund process and we’re now excited to announce the re-launch of the AFSCME Local 328 Hardship Fund. The hardship fund is designed to assist AFSCME-represented employees experiencing housing (rent/mortgage), food insecurity, or childcare insecurity. (See MOU #8 for details.)

Employees are eligible for up to $750 in hardship fund assistance per rolling 12-month period. Exceptions to these limits can be made on a case-by-case basis with approval from the Local 328 executive committee or executive board at the monthly board meeting (3rd Wednesday of the month). Labor’s Community Service Agency (LCSA) and AFSCME Member Service Center (MSC) cannot grant exceptions to the criteria below. This fund cannot be used to supplement or replace income lost by a member because of discipline.

To qualify for assistance from the Local 328 hardship fund:

  • The employee has been out of work for at least two weeks, or

  • The employee has had their work hours reduced for at least 30 days and will return to regular hours within six months, or

  • The employee is regularly employed, but experienced short-term (less than six months) unemployment within the previous 90 days.

If the employee does not meet any of the above basic criteria, they may qualify for assistance due to temporary financial hardship caused by one of the following special conditions:

  • Medical issues that leave the employee off work (unpaid) for two or more weeks.

  • Natural disaster (e.g., fire, earthquake, flood).

  • Unpaid child support of at least one month, if the employee has contacted the district attorney and wage garnishment or other financial remedy is pending.

  • Death in the immediate family that results in two or more weeks off work beyond standard bereavement leave. (This fund does not cover funeral costs or travel.)

  • Childcare insecurity.

  • Domestic violence.

  • Other significant events as agreed upon on a case-by-case basis by the Local 328 executive committee or executive board.

Please note: Members receiving childcare funds must be utilizing a childcare provider that is licensed by their state and may be subject to tax reporting per IRS regulations (1099s may be issued if exceeding the annual threshold set by the IRS). Alternatively, members are strongly encouraged to utilize their own available funds if using unlicensed childcare and accept hardship funds to pay for housing and/or food.

 

Here is a link to our updated Hardship Fund Eligibility policy.

 

Please apply by filling out the Hardship Fund Request form. If you are experiencing technical difficulties, please call the MSC.

Spike WallsComment