Please note: Any identifying personal information (e.g. names, address(es), contact info, SIN, etc.) is kept strictly confidential and redacted from applications prior to staff submitting to the committee for consideration. All communication regarding applications for HSAA funds and bursaries will be done via the member’s personal email address. Detailed guidelines and application information are below. Any questions or concerns regarding an Emergency Financial Assistance Fund application can be sent to memberbenefits@hsaa.ca.
Helpful Resources
We’ve gathered additional resources that may assist you in times of financial need. Explore the information below to find the support and guidance you need during emergencies.
- https://ab.211.ca/ or call 2-1-1
- Emergency financial assistance | Alberta.ca
- Escaping Abuse Benefit – Get help with costs to leave | Alberta.ca
- Safer Spaces certificate to end tenancy | Alberta.ca
- OPD Alberta | Orderly Payment Of Debts Program | moneymentors.ca
- Alberta Credit Counselling Guide | Consolidated Credit Canada
- Employee assistance program provided to you by your employer
Guidelines
The purpose of the Emergency Financial Assistance Fund is to provide a member, who qualifies, assistance when circumstances of an emergent nature occur.
The following guidelines will be considered when determining qualification for this fund:
- Applicant is a member in good standing.
- The fund can be accessed multiple times to a lifetime maximum of $2,000.00 per member. Each application will be considered on its own merit.
- All sections of the application must be completed in full and must be legible.
- The application must provide details regarding the emergent situation; typically, these are unanticipated life events that are beyond a person’s control.
- Applicant must provide details outlining the need for financial assistance.
- The fund is not intended to be used for paying off accrued personal debt such as credit cards, lines of credit, personal loans, student loans, taxes or legal fees etc.
- It is expected that members have exhausted all sources of personal non-taxable financial resources before an application is submitted for consideration (i.e., checking, savings, cash on hand, TFSA’s)
- An application can be completed on behalf of a deceased member by their next of kin. Coworkers and Labour Relations Officers may assist the family in completing the application but the family must be notified and aware of the application.
- The applicant may be required to provide additional information to verify eligibility (i.e. legal documents, invoices, receipts, bills, bank statements, etc.).
- If the Committee rejects an application, a letter and an email will be sent to the applicant.
The responsibility for resolution of any disputes in regard to eligibility or interpretation of these guidelines rest firmly with the Members’ Benefit Committee and secondly with the Members Appeal Committee whose decision is final and binding. The committee retains the right to change or amend these guidelines at any time deemed necessary.
Reasons an application may not be approved
- Applicant is not a member in good standing
- Applicant has already received the lifetime maximum of $2,000.00
- Application is not completed in full and/or not legible
- Application is submitted for payments on credit cards and accrued ongoing debt
- Financial section is completed inaccurately (i.e. reporting biweekly pay vs monthly, reporting full debt vs monthly payment, etc.)
- Application is submitted before exhausting all personal resources, such as savings and TFSAs
- Circumstance of application is not emergent