HELP Fund (Hardship and Emergency Lifeline Program)

Mission: The HELP Fund provides grants for short-term, temporary financial assistance to eligible staff members who work in all US and Puerto Rico concepts.

Geographic Scope: US and Puerto Rico

Award Amounts by Category:

• Housing Disaster: Up to $2,500.00 - For urgent or extraordinary expenses as a result of a catastrophe, natural disaster or accident to a primary residence (including "Qualified Disasters" as defined in IRS Code sections 139(c)(1), (2) and (3))
• Death of Immediate Family Member: Up to $1,000.00 - For expenses related to death of spouse, child, or own parent (travel and funeral-related expenses only)
• Death of a Staff Member: Up to $1,000.00 - For funeral-related expenses issued directly to service provider
• Basic Needs: Up to $1,000.00 - For financial hardship to provide shelter, food, utilities, and/or childcare when unable to work due to unexpected emergency

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be actively employed by the Company
• Event must have occurred within the last 6 months of the application date
• Must provide documentation of the event
• Must attest that the event causes financial hardship
• Financial hardship must NOT be caused by work-related injury
• Financial hardship must NOT result from criminal activity, negligence, or poor planning

Important Notes:

• Not all applicants will receive grants; circumstances must meet guidelines and funding may be limited
• HELP Fund committee evaluates all applications for approval
• Ongoing medical expenses generally not considered for grants
• Misrepresentation of circumstances may result in disciplinary action up to and including discharge

Contact Information:

• Email: helpfund@thecheesecakefactory.com
• Phone: (818) 880-5791
• Fax: (844) 263-7137

Application Process

Step 1: Contact your General Manager/Department Head for authorization

Step 2: Complete the application form with:

• Your personal information (name, contact, address, EIN/TMX)
• Best contact phone number and email
• Restaurant/location name and number
• GM/Corporate Department Head name
• Combined family pre-disaster gross monthly income

Step 3: Select grant type and amount (choose one category)

Step 4: Provide detailed explanation of the event, including:

• Nature of the event
• Why it creates financial hardship for you
• Date of the event
• All relevant details

Step 5: For Death of Immediate Family Member grants:

• Confirm if you are fully or partially responsible for funeral-related costs
• Provide name and relationship of deceased
• Provide funeral home/mortuary name, address, and phone number

Step 6: Submit required documentation:

• Police reports (if applicable)
• Photos
• Newspaper articles
• Death notices
• Related bills
• Eviction notices
• Any other documentation of the event

Step 7: Disclose if you have previously received a HELP Fund grant

Step 8: Sign declaration under penalty of perjury

Required Documentation: Applications without documentation cannot be processed until provided

Declaration: Applicant must declare under penalty of perjury that all information is true and correct, and authorize The California Community Foundation and The Cheesecake Factory to disclose confidential and financial information to the HELP Fund Committee