The Liberty Hardship Fund provides financial support to FedsForFreedom Liberty Members experiencing financial hardship due to a qualifying life event (see below).
10% of all funds raised through all channels, such as crowd funding fundraising and membership fees will support the Hardship Fund.
Who is Eligible?
The Fund applies to any Liberty Member, or an immediate family member of an eligible member who is applying on behalf of a member who has been rendered incapable of submitting their own application. The applicant must not have any disciplinary actions that resulted from violating FedsForFreedom’s Terms and Condition’s Agreement within the past twelve (12) months
Exclusions
- Catastrophic community events such as mass destruction due to acts of god (weather, earthquake, and other natural unavoidable events) or other similar occurrences are not qualifying events for which financial assistance from the Fund will be made.
- Common life occurrences such as routine car and home maintenance, monthly bills, animal care, and living beyond one’s means are not qualifying events for which financial assistance from the Fund can be provided. The Fund is not designed to replace all losses or to reimburse the cost of nonessential, luxury or decorative items or services.
- Financial hardships caused by garnishments, payday/title loans, and student loans do not qualify for assistance.
The Review/Approval Process
- The Executive Director will present applications to the Fund Review Committee, omitting any identifying information to preserve anonymity. The Fund Review Committee has a target application review time of 72 hours and a decision will be made on the application within 7 business days, barring any unforeseen circumstances.
- The Executive Director communicates the committee’s decision to the applicant. If approved, the Executive Director submits paperwork to the authorized personnel to issue payment, and follows up to ensure payment has been processed and received.
- Approval is subject to the extent of need, satisfactory completion of the application and availability of funds. All decisions of the Fund Review Committee are final. There will be no appeals process.
How Do I Contribute?
Any person or entity is eligible to donate to the Hardship Fund by visiting our fundraising centre.
- Donations cannot be earmarked for a specific individual.
- Donors should discuss any questions related to deductibility with a personal tax advisor.
Contributing to the fund is easy, donors can choose to make a one-time gift or an ongoing contribution.
Ways to Contribute
- One Time
- Scheduled Payments
Fund Review Committee
The Fund Review Committee shall consist of three volunteer representatives who are in good-standing from each of the following groups:
- PSAC Union (1)
- PIPSC Union (1)
- Non-Unionized (1)
Committee members will serve three-year staggered terms, unless otherwise specified. Until volunteers are appointed to their positions the executive committee will support reviewing the applications.
Committee appointments will become effective January 1 and expire on December 31.
FAQ’s
Can I apply more than one time during my membership for hardship funds?
Yes, you may apply for hardship funds more than one time over the course of your membership. However, members may not receive more than one award $300 max per fiscal year, nor can they receive more than a total of $1500 for the duration of their membership.
What are examples of a qualifying event?
A qualifying event is defined as extreme misfortune experienced by the member or the member’s immediate family member. For reasons beyond their control that prevents the member from meeting basic living expenses. Examples of such events include, but are not limited to the following:
(1) death of a close family relation;
(2) unusual recently uninsured medical expenses caused by severe illness or accident;
(3) unusual uninsured expenses for the care of a family member;
(4) a diagnosed medical condition of the member or a close family relation that prohibits the member from working; or
(5) losses to primary residence (rental properties where the lessor is the applicant are excluded) caused by fire, crime, flood or other disaster.
Refer to the Liberty Hardship Fund Policy for further information.
If my application is approved, how long does it take to receive the funds?
After an award is approved, documentation will be provided to Payroll for payment processing. You can reasonably expect to receive funds within a two-week period.
Do I have to pay back the award?
The Fund has been established through donations and contributions from the FedsForFreedom community. Hardship funds do not have to be paid back.
What is the maximum amount of money that I can receive?
The maximum award amount is up to $300 per catastrophic event/year, subject to availability of funding. With a maximum entitlement of $1500 during their lifetime as a member.
Refer to the Liberty Hardship Fund Policy for further information.