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Roll over the categories above to view the basic criteria for a Direct Grant. This is a very reliable way of determining if your hardship qualifies for a Direct Grant. It is important to remember that the circumstances below cover the associate, their spouse or legal dependents ONLY. Parents, grandparents and siblings generally do not fall in this category. For more information on the Direct Grant, view the Direct Grant FAQs. If your situation is not shown, you may not be able to receive assistance through the Direct Grant. However, you may review the guidelines for a Matching Grant, or call a Homer Fund staff member at (770) 384-2611 to discuss other options.
Illness or Injury
*Recent illness or injury of the associate, spouse or legal dependent, generally within last 3-4 months*
The Homer Fund may be able to help with expenses such as:
- Past due rent or mortgage
- Past due property taxes
- Past due basic utilities
- Necessary home modifications
REQUIRED: Direct Grant Prep Pack
Natural Disaster
*Hurricane, tornado, flood, ice/wind storm affecting the associate's primary residence*
The Homer Fund may be able to help with expenses such as:
- Security deposit to move into a new residence
- Utility deposit to connect basic utilities at a new residence
- Uninsured/under insured necessary home repairs
- Homeowners' insurance deductibles
- Past due rent or mortgage
- Past due basic utilities
- Past due property taxes
- Food
- Clothing
REQUIRED: Direct Grant Prep Pack
Death in Family
The Homer Fund may be able to help with expenses such as:
- Essential funeral expenses for deceased associate, spouse, minor children, young adult child (up to age 26), deceased parent or legal dependents ONLY *Assistance capped at $2000 for deceased parents*
- Past due rent or mortgage
- Past due property taxes
- Past due basic utilities
- Travel expenses to funeral for parent, sibling, child ONLY
REQUIRED: Direct Grant Prep Pack
Sudden Loss of Rented Home
*For associates who RENT from a private landlord ONLY; foreclosure of a personal home DOES NOT fit under this circumstance.*
The Homer Fund may be able to help with expenses such as:
- Security deposit to move into a new residence
- Utility deposit to connect basic utilities at a new residence
REQUIRED: Direct Grant Prep Pack
Unemployment
*Loss of spouse's job or the associate's 2nd job due to lay-off or company closure ONLY within past 9 months; Home Depot jobs excluded; REDUCED HOURS ARE NOT COVERED*
The Homer Fund may be able to help with expenses such as:
- Past due rent or mortgage
- Past due property taxes
- Past due basic utilities
REQUIRED: Direct Grant Prep Pack
Uninhabitable Housing
*Rental residence is condemned or deemed uninhabitable due to unsafe living conditions, rodent/insect infestation*
The Homer Fund may be able to help with expenses such as:
- Security deposit to move into a new residence
- Utility deposit to connect basic utilities at a new residence
REQUIRED: Direct Grant Prep Pack
Unanticipated Increase in Family
*Unanticipated addition of family members due to a recent death, incarceration, drug abuse, physical abuse/neglect or long-term hospitalization of the associate’s child/sibling/parent or custodial parent.*
The Homer Fund may be able to help with expenses such as:
- Security deposit
- Essential utility bills/deposits
- Furniture/Appliances
- Moving expenses
- Food and clothes
REQUIRED: Direct Grant Prep Pack
Fire
*Fire affecting associates primary address*
The Homer Fund may be able to help with expenses such as:
- Security deposit to move into a new residence
- Utility deposit to connect basic utilities at a new residence
- Uninsured/under insured necessary home repairs
- Homeowners' insurance deductibles
- Past due rent or mortgage
- Past due basic utilities
- Past due property taxes
- Food
- Clothing
REQUIRED: Direct Grant Prep Pack
Loss of subsidy or child support
* Loss of court-ordered child support
* Loss of gov’t subsidy (Section 8, SSI, SNAP, etc)
(Homer Fund does not replace the loss of subsidy, but will focus on past due bills)
The Homer Fund may be able to help with expenses such as:
- Past due rent or mortgage
- Past due property taxes
- Past due basic utilities
REQUIRED: Direct Grant Prep Pack
Crime
* Robbery, persistent burglary, identity theft.
(Criminal offenses excluded; legal fees excluded)
Must provide a police report to support offense & relevant past due bills related to the crime
The Homer Fund may be able to help with expenses such as:
- Security deposit to move into a new residence
- Utility deposit to connect basic utilities at a new residence
- Past due rent or mortgage
- Past due utilities
REQUIRED: Direct Grant Prep Pack
Major Car Repairs
*Address major car repairs, up to $1,500
(Not a replacement for insurance; other car repairs will continue to be addressed under the Matching Grant)
The Homer Fund may be able to help with expenses such as:
- Transmission
- Engine repair or replacement
- Catalytic converter
- Maintenance repairs are excluded from this category (for example, brakes, tune-ups, oil changes, etc)
- Minimum of $500 to repair
- Maximum of $1500 to repair
NOTE: The Direct Grant will address ONE qualifying car repair per vehicle. Additional repairs may be addressed via the Matching Grant.
REQUIRED: Direct Grant Prep Pack
Eligibility Quick Test
