Emergency financial assistance available for employees

In these unprecedented times, Michigan Medicine is supporting faculty and staff with the creation of an Employee Emergency Need Fund to provide individual grants to those in need of financial assistance as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Sometimes unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances can result in an emergency financial crisis for faculty and staff members, especially now when we’re experiencing a global pandemic and the fallout it has on us mentally, physically and financially,” said Deloris Hunt, chief human resources officer for Michigan Medicine.

The fund was established by a generous gift from an anonymous donor, and continues to receive additional support from other donors, including Michigan Medicine faculty and staff.

“Michigan Medicine and its donors wanted a way to express appreciation for the many sacrifices made during the pandemic crisis,” said Hunt. “Our employees have gone above and beyond to care for our patients and the community. It’s only fitting that we find ways, such as this fund, to support them in their time of need.”

Any Michigan Medicine faculty or staff member is eligible to apply for a grant of up to $1,500 in order to meet basic needs including housing, utilities, food, transportation, child care and more. Employees are eligible to receive the grant if they have a minimum of three months of service with at least a 50 percent appointment. Employees may also receive a grant if they are on furlough, in a reduction-in-force status or on a leave of absence.

How to apply

To apply for financial assistance through the Michigan Medicine Employee Emergency Need Fund, employees should complete an online application. If you have questions or concerns, please reach out via email to the Michigan Medicine Office of Counseling and Workplace Resilience at counseling@med.umich.edu.  

A counselor will reach out to ensure the financial situation meets basic eligibility criteria.

The program may also provide consultation and referrals to other community resources that may be of help in times of need.

Financial assistance is based on emergency need related to COVID-19 and available funding.

Due to the need to reach as many deserving employees as possible, only one grant can be awarded per year, per employee. All grants are considered income and are subject to income taxes.

Additional financial resources

Financial support and counseling are also available through these organizational partners and programs:

• MHealthy, and its partner, the U-M Credit Union, shared four ways to improve your financial footing earlier this week in Headlines.
• MHealthy Resource Coach: Get help with navigating the system and finding the right resources at U-M and in your community.
• Emergency Hardship Program: Provides colleagues who are facing a sudden and significant hardship with resource recommendations and, in specific emergency cases, funds up to a maximum of $1,000 to bridge the gap. This program is for non-COVID-19-related hardship and will continue to operate simultaneously with the Employee Emergency Need Fund. A OCWR counselor will help you determine which program best fits your needs.

How to help

We are all in this together. If you would like to learn more about how to support the Employee Emergency Need Fund, visit https://giving.medicine.umich.edu/covid-19 (item #2). Donations are still being accepted.