What are Hardship Grants
If you are new to the world of government funding and grants, you may find the entire scenario overwhelming at times.
This is because there are numerous hardship relief programs offered by the state and federal governments, as well as several nonprofit organizations.
When considering these grants, you will need to understand the specific category in which they fall.
Mainly, there are two types of grants – one that the federal government awards while private, nonprofit entities provide the second type.
Hardship grants provide financial assistance to help individuals and families manage essential expenses during difficult times.
Where and How to Apply for Hardship Grants?
Let’s check out some of the different sources where you can apply for and successfully receive hardship grants in the US:
1 – Catholic Charity Financial Assistance
Catholic Charities provides several different types of assistance programs for families.
Catholic Charities provides assistance for bills, housing or rent, food, counseling services, and other support services.
Applicants from any background or religious belief can apply for this grant by contacting the nearest Catholic Charity office.
Catholic Charities operates a network of local agencies across the country, assisting millions annually.
Eligibility & Application
There aren’t too many restrictive criteria for eligibility for hardship grants from Catholic Charities. The organization usually determines the applicant’s ability to become self-sufficient once the funds have been paid out.
The application process is also very simple. You simply need to contact the Catholic Charity organization office near you and you will get the specific eligibility criteria to apply for hardship grants through the particular Catholic Charity office.
2 – Patient Access Network Foundation Assistance Programs
The Patient Access Network (PAN) Foundation provides qualified individuals with funds to pay a certain out-of-pocket cost for medicines.
PAN assistance is meant solely to help individuals buy expensive prescription drugs that need to be paid for out of the patient’s pockets as their insurance policy may not cover these expenses.
These hardship grants for prescription medicines by the PAN Foundation help cover the cost of medication for numerous life-threatening illnesses and chronic health disorders.
The PAN Foundation provides financial assistance for out-of-pocket medication costs, with grant amounts varying based on disease and funding availability. An individual’s specific grant amount depends on the funding available for their particular medication and their financial need.
Eligibility & Application
There are strict criteria to be eligible for PAN Foundation grants for medicines, such as the applicant’s income and medical condition.
Suppose you need to buy prescription drugs at your own expense because your insurance plan does not cover the specific medicine. In that case, you can apply for PAN Foundation grants and buy essential prescription drugs.
Applicants must have an active health insurance policy, be receiving treatment in the US, and meet other program-specific eligibility criteria.
To receive PAN Foundation hardship grants, you must complete a formal application process. To find out the complete application process, visit the official PAN Foundation website at www.panfoundation.org or call 866-316-7263 for more information.
3 – HealthWell Foundation
The HealthWell Foundation is another nonprofit charity organization that helps individuals cover the additional cost of prescription drugs or pay extensive medical bills.
These expenses may include insurance co-payments, co-insurance, premiums or any other medical expense that needs to be paid out of the individual’s pocket.
Eligibility & Application
To be eligible for hardship grants to pay medical bills, health insurance premiums, etc., through HealthWell Foundation grants, you must fulfill several major criteria, including having an active health insurance policy and a low-income household.
To learn more about the specific criteria under which you may be eligible to apply for hardship grants from HealthWell Foundation, call the assistance number at (800) 675-8416.
4 – Operation Round-Up Assistance Programs
Numerous utility and electric companies, including smaller cooperatives, offer Operation Round Up charitable programs across the United States.
The program may be called by different names or operate differently in various states, but many states have some version of Operation Round Up. This program provides financial assistance to families by allowing other customers to “round up” their bill amount to the closest whole amount.
The additional amount customers contribute through rounding up their bills is used to assist eligible families with their utility bills. The average contribution from others could be just 50 cents a month.
Eligibility & Application
Eligibility for the Operation Round Up program primarily requires demonstrating financial need, though other criteria may also apply depending on the specific utility company’s program guidelines.
To apply for Operation Round Up grants to help pay your utility and electricity bills, you can simply contact your utility company and submit a grant application.
You can also apply directly to the foundation that handles such grants in your area.
Conclusion
Hardship grants are extremely helpful when you are in need. These grants can help you to cover the cost of crucial medication for basic needs.
If you find this article helpful in getting hardship grants, please feel free to comment and let us know your experience.
See Also
How to qualify for Medical Business Grants
Hardship Grants for Single Mothers
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