Emergency Assistance

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

• Have at least one member in the house with a diagnosed bleeding disorder
• Have not applied for emergency assistance within the last 365 days
• Are experiencing or recently experienced an emergency or hardship
• Need assistance with housing, transportation, or utility expenses

Step 2: Find a Referrer

Self-referrals or referrals from relatives or employers are NOT accepted. The application must be completed by one of the following:

• Physician, nurse, or social worker from a Hemophilia Treatment Center
• Private physician
• Representative from a bleeding disorder organization
• Home care representative of the applicant

Step 3: Collect Required Information

• Applicant’s contact information
• Household members’ names, relationships, and birthdates
• Bleeding disorder diagnosis
• Category of need: housing, utilities, or transportation
• Description of need (include bill due date if time-sensitive)

Step 4: HFA Processes the Application

This process usually takes 2-3 weeks:

• A Helping Hands staff member will contact the applicant for a phone interview, usually within 10 business days of receiving the application. The interview takes about 20 minutes and reviews the applicant’s monthly household income, expenses, and the situation causing the current need.
• The application will then be reviewed and if approved the applicant must provide a copy of their bill or lease. Payment will be provided directly to the company/landlord.

A referral indicates permission to contact both the applicant and the referrer. We will be in touch with the referrer or a local professional about any safety issues raised in our phone interview.