United Charities Employee Emergency Assistance Program

Program Overview:
Financial assistance for UPMC Hamot employees experiencing emergencies and hardships.

Geographic Scope:

• UPMC Hamot employees (Pennsylvania)
• Local Erie County community support

Types of Support:

• Emergency financial assistance
• Back-to-school programs
• Wish tree programs
• Support to local United Way of Erie County
• Other community charities

Eligible Emergency Circumstances:
Applicants must have experienced ONE of the following within the past 90 days:

• Catastrophic event
• Natural disaster
• Life-threatening or serious illness of employee resulting in greater than 90 days of lost work
• Critical injury to employee due to accident resulting in greater than 90 days of lost work
• Loss of home leading to active homelessness

Eligibility Requirements:

• Full-time or part-time employee (per diem and student workers excluded)
• Minimum one (1) calendar year of service at UPMC Hamot
• No disciplinary action at written warning level or higher in past one (1) year
• Must have actively searched for assistance from other resources
• Emergency must meet policy guidelines

Additional Screening:

• Application includes questions about food insecurity status
• Homelessness risk assessment

Contact Information:

• Sarah Prylinski, Community Outreach Team
• Phone: 814-877-2881
• Email: (available on website)
• For additional community resources assistance, contact above

Required Policy Review:
Applicants must review the United Charities Employee Hardship Grant Policy before applying

Application Process

Before You Apply:

1. Review the United Charities Employee Hardship Grant Policy (PDF)
2. Verify you can check ALL of the following boxes:
   • You are a full-time or part-time employee (not per diem or student)
   • You have worked one (1) calendar year or more at UPMC Hamot
   • You have NOT been placed in disciplinary action at written warning or higher level in the past one (1) rolling year
   • Your emergency was caused by one of the eligible circumstances and fits guidelines
   • You have actively searched for assistance from other resources

If you cannot check all boxes, you do not qualify.

Application Form Sections:

1. Personal Information:
   • First name
   • Last name
   • Address (city, state, zip)
   • Phone number
   • Email
2. Household Information:
   • Rent or own status
   • Number of people living in household
3. Employment Information:
   • Current UPMC Hamot Department
   • Job title
   • Supervisor name
   • Total number of years at UPMC Hamot
4. Emergency Details:
   • Describe the circumstances that caused need for assistance (with supporting documents)
   • Explain your current needs
5. Resource Seeking:
   • Check any resources from which you have applied for assistance:
   • UPMC Hardship Grant Program
   • Homeowners or Renters Insurance
   • Auto Insurance
   • Medical Insurance
   • Social Services Organizations
   • FEMA
   • Religious Community
   • Family Members Loan Program
   • Other
6. Vulnerability Assessment:
   • Are you experiencing food insecurity? (Yes/No)
   • Are you at risk for homelessness? (Yes/No)
7. Documentation:
   • Attach supporting documentation (file upload)

Submission:

• Submit completed form online

Contact for Assistance:

• For help navigating application or additional community resources: Sarah Prylinski, 814-877-2881