INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL
DISASTER FUND INFORMATION/GUIDELINES
PURPOSE
The purpose of the ESA International Disaster Fund is to assist an ESA member whose home and/or personal belongings are destroyed or damaged extensively by one of nature’s causes -fire, flood, etc. The need for assistance occurred in the current year from June 1 to May 31. Assistance may also be given when a member incurs heavy financial responsibility due to a debilitating illness or accident, which involves the member or their spouse or immediate family who resides in the home due to physical or mental impairment whom they have legal guardianship over and are legally responsible
In the event a member’s chapter requests additional help for them after one claim has been paid, the State Committee MUST investigate the application thoroughly. The Disaster Fund is not an on-going source of assistance; a second claim will not be paid for the same illness or accident. If the State Committee establishes that the additional need is valid, the application must be submitted (along with the information regarding the reasons for recommending the additional claim) to the International Council Disaster Fund Committee Chairperson. Following receipt of such an application, the International Council Disaster Fund Chair will review with the committee, comprised of the IC Disaster Fund Chair, the IC President, and the IC First Vice President/President-Elect, and will make the final determination regarding the additional claim.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY
Active Members of 90 days or more, (2) Members-at-Large who are in good standing with Headquarters, (3) Life Active Members will be determined by the IC Disaster Fund Chair in agreement with the IC President and First Vice-President/President Elect.
STATE DISASTER FUND CHAIR
The State Disaster Fund Chair shall review all claims and send only those onto the IC Disaster Fund chair that have been found to be on valid forms in compliance with the IC Disaster Fund Chair Guidelines. It is of vital importance for the Chair to assess the need carefully when making a recommendation for acceptance of any claim. Things that do not qualify for assistance under these guidelines: anything in the home that is damaged or needs repair that does not pertain to a Natural Disaster. Broken pipes, flooding in home, remodeling for medical issues, co-payments other than medical bills, divorce, unemployment, furnace replacement, etc. Disaster Fund Chairs affixing their signatures to the application indicates that they have investigated and found the claim to be valid according to the International Council Disaster Fund Guidelines.
AMOUNT OF ASSISTANCE
$5,000.00 is the maximum amount given to a member of a Disaster Fund claim. Every consideration will be taken when determining the total amount that will be paid to the claimant. The International Council Disaster Fund Chair will determine the total amount to be paid based on the nature of the claim. The International Council Disaster Fund Committee will review the claim and make the final decision if there is some doubt as to the amount to be paid.
HOW TO APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE
Step 1 - Chapter: An application MUST originate with the local chapter of the member involved, even if the member is MAL, and be signed by the Chapter President. The Chapter Vice President, or the next highest elected chapter officer not related to the member, must sign the application if the Chapter President is the member involved. All information requested on the application MUST be completed or the application will be returned. Dollar amounts must be given as requested on the application form. Additional pertinent information, which would help the IC Disaster Fund Chair in reaching a decision, should be included in an accompanying letter. If assistance is needed due to a terminal illness, it is recommended that the request be made as early as possible. A claim initiated before or within 30 days following the death of a member will be paid to the surviving family providing it meets all other criteria.
The original copy of the completed application must be submitted to the State Disaster Fund Chair. A copy should also be retained in the chapter files. (In the event there is no state council, the chapter may follow the procedure outlined below for the state. The request for assistance in such a case is submitted directly to the IC Disaster Fund Chair.)
Step 2 - State: The State Disaster Fund Chair is responsible for approving the application. They MUST recommend the amount being requested from the Disaster Fund based upon the nature of the claim rather than automatically stating the maximum amount allowed. Following approval, the State Disaster Fund Chair MUST sign the application. If the State Disaster Fund Chair is involved in the Disaster Fund Claim then they must disqualify themselves from the investigation and approval process and send the claim directly to the IC Disaster Fund Chair.
The signature of the State Disaster Fund Chair to the application indicates that they have investigated and found the claim to be valid according to these guidelines. The State Disaster Fund Chair shall mail the original application to the IC Disaster Fund Chair (the IC Disaster Fund Chair will send a copy to the IC President and First Vice President/President-Elect). The State Disaster Fund Chair should retain one copy for their records. If the State Disaster Fund finds this is not a valid claim according to the guidelines, the claim should not be submitted to the IC Disaster Fund Chair.
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE DISASTER FUND
All checks are to be made payable to the ESA Disaster Fund and mailed to the State Disaster Fund Chair. If the State Disaster Fund Chair receives a cash donation she should deposit the cash and send a personal check or money order to the IC Disaster Fund Chair made out to the IC Disaster Fund.
The State Disaster Fund Chair will record the checks and forward them, along with the monthly report, to the IC Disaster Fund Chair. (If there is no state council, contributions may be mailed directly to the IC Disaster Fund Chair.) The IC Disaster Fund Chair will send reports of donation to each State Disaster Fund Chair quarterly.
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