Worker Relief Fund

Purpose: Provide financial assistance and emergency aid to families of worker-members who face tragedy or emergency situations while in the United States performing temporary labor through H-2A and H-2B programs.

Geographic Scope: United States (for worker-members participating in H-2A & H-2B programs)

Focus Areas: Emergency financial relief for serious hardships and tragic events

Eligible Events

Relief is available for events of a serious nature including:

• Death of worker-member
• Serious illness requiring transportation home
• Particular emergencies or mishaps not resulting from worker's action or fault

Funding Details

• Maximum per incident: $2,000
• Coverage limit: FEWA covers no more than half the total cost of any relief sought
• Payment method: Direct payment to the appropriate organization (not to worker-member)
• Recipient requirement: Receipt from organization receiving funds must be supplied to FEWA

What Is NOT Covered

• Physical injuries (generally not funded)

Review Process

Governance: Three-person committee convened by FEWA President as needed

• Committee composition: One unrelated worker-member, one unrelated company member, one unrelated FEWA Board of Directors member
• When relief request involves worker employed by particular employer, that employer's representative is excluded from committee
• Each situation reviewed on individual basis
• Intent is to aid workers in distress, not provide total relief

Requirements for Payment

• Receipt from appropriate organization (receiving the monies) must be supplied to FEWA
• Failure to supply receipt excludes that worker-member and company member from further relief until receipt is received or funds returned

Application Process

Required Information:

1. Worker's Employer Business Name (Required)
2. Employer Email (Required)
3. Employer Phone (Required)
4. Name of Worker-Member - First and Last (Required)
5. Worker's Passport Number (Required)
6. Today's Date (MM/DD/YYYY format) (Required)
7. Date of Incident (MM/DD/YYYY format) (Required)
8. Reason for Requesting Relief (Required)

Submission

• Online form submission with reCAPTCHA verification
• Submit at Worker Relief Fund page on fewaglobal.org

Post-Approval Requirements

• Obtain receipt from organization that receives relief funds
• Submit receipt to FEWA for payment processing
• FEWA will not make direct payment to worker-member
• Payment will be made to the appropriate organization upon receipt submission