Frequently Asked Questions
How does an employee sign up for The Care Fund?
In order to distribute money as quickly as possible, hospital CEOs in designated disaster counties will provide the names of hospital employees who meet eligibility criteria for the fund. Employees or their family members should contact their hospital’s human resources department to ensure that they’re on the list.
What are the eligibility criteria for The Care Fund?
1. Must be a full or part-time employee who was catastrophically affected by Hurricane Katrina and who lives in one of the FEMA-designated disaster counties.
2. The funds may be used to assist hospital employees who, due to the storm: lost immediate family members, suffered significant physical injury due to the storm, suffered significant property loss.
3. The funds can also be used to assist immediate family members of hospital employees who lost their lives due to the hurricane.
How will The Care Fund be distributed?
The Care Fund will send a check payable to the respective hospitals based on the number of eligible employees submitted for each hospital. The hospital may then use the funds as needed to best meet the needs of its employees.
When will The Care Fund be distributed?
The first round of distribution will occur the first week of October. The second in early November and any additional distributions will occur on a monthly basis as funds are available.
How will eligible employees receive money?
Hospital CEOs will receive a check from The Care Fund and disperse the money in the manner that best meets the needs of their employees. Please check with your hospital’s human resource department for additional information.
How did The Care Fund determine its distribution policy?
The goal of the policy is to ensure that the funds donated to The Care Fund are:
1. Used in the most appropriate and effective manner to assist the maximum number of hospital employees;
2. Distributed in a timely manner with a minimum amount of paperwork;
3. Distributed in an equitable manner that allows for maximum local input.
How will I know that The Care Fund received my donation?
If a donation is made by mail, a letter will be sent acknowledging your donation. If a donation is made by credit card, an e-mail will be sent acknowledging your donation. Your acknowledgement will contain information needed for tax purposes.
How much of my donation goes to The Care Fund?
The three state hospital associations who set up the fund will not charge expenses associated with managing and distributing contributions to The Care Fund, and all donated funds will be distributed to assist affected hospital employees and their families.
Can I donate to a specific state, hospital or employee?
We are sorry, but The Care Fund cannot process distributions to designated individual hospitals or staff.
Can I get a refund if I change my mind?
Sorry, refunds and returns cannot be processed. All donations to The Care Fund are final.
Who set up the fund?
The three state hospital associations in states affected by Hurricane Katrina – Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama – set up the fund to assist hospital employees and their families.
What is the fund’s privacy policy?
Information submitted to this site will not be sold, leased or otherwise disclosed to third parties other than is necessary to complete your transaction or with your expressed permission. The Care Fund will only communicate with you to acknowledge receipt of your donation, resolve a problem with your transaction or obtain permission to include your name on a list of contributors. In making a donation through this site or directly to The Card Fund, you consent to receive correspondence for these purposes and you agree this notice satisfies any legal requirement that such consent be in writing.
