Personal Crisis Grant Guidelines
The purpose of the Personal Crisis Grant is to provide financial assistance to members in
times of an unforeseen personal crisis. The spirit behind the Grant is to aid members who
have exhausted all other options available to them and are still in need of one-time-only
financial assistance. Any SLOCEA member may request financial assistance by completing
the Personal Crisis Grant Application and turning it in to the SLOCEA office. All requests
require the approval by the Member Benefit Committee (appointed by the Board of
Directors). All information collected or reviewed by SLOCEA staff or committee members
will be held in strict confidence. Whenever possible, SLOCEA checks shall be payable
directly to the source of emergency.
This is not a loan. There is no requirement to pay it back, but donations will be appreciated
and accepted. Only one request per calendar year per member will be considered, and
only one request per member each 36 months may be granted.
The Member Benefit Committee reserves the right to consider and award additional funds
beyond the guidelines in the event of catastrophic circumstances. Catastrophic
circumstances under the Personal Crisis Grant Guidelines are defined, but not limited to,
fire, flood, catastrophic illness or injury, death of an immediate family member.
Catastrophic illness or injury is an illness or injury which is expected to incapacitate the
employee for an extended period of time and which creates a financial hardship because
the employee has exhausted all of his/her accumulated leave. Catastrophic illness or
injury is further defined as a debilitating illness or injury of an immediate family member
that results in the employee being required to take time off from work for an extended
period to care for the family member, when this creates a financial hardship because the
employee has exhausted all of his/her accumulated leave. Immediate family shall mean
son or daughter, including variation of step or foster, spouse, parents, grandparents,
brother or sister of the employee, or corresponding relative by affinity.
If a member’s request is denied, they may request, in writing, that the Committee
reconsider their decision. The determination of the Member Benefit Committee is
appealable to the full SLOCEA Board of Directors, whose decision is then final and binding
on all parties. An appeal will be heard in a confidential closed session of a regular Board of
Director’s meeting.
SLOCEA retains the right to alter, amend, establish a new, or repeal the Personal Crisis
Grant guidelines, and participation agreements at any time.