The Employee Assistance Program recently implemented a new service to support staff and faculty with a temporary financial hardship.  The UI Emergency Hardship Fund supports costs up to $1000, related to an emergency event or crisis, resulting in financial hardship.  Temporary financial hardship means a hardship event rather than a pre-existing financial concern or obligation.  To learn more, visit the UI Emergency Hardship Fund webpage.

Joni Troester, senior assistant vice president and deputy chief human resource officer, and Diana Kremzar, director of UI Family Services, presented the new fund at the University of Iowa Staff Council meeting in September 2021.  This type of program exists at peer organizations, and while UHR had been discussing it, the recent derecho and pandemic accelerated the implementation of the program at UI, allowing the distribution of funds to eligible UI staff.  The university has initially allotted $25,000 per year and to date 13 staff have received assistance. 

To request assistance, staff should complete the workflow form.    The evaluation criteria include the following questions: 

• Is the need a result of an unexpected and critical event?
• Does the need impact the health and safety of the employee
• Is the need immediate and temporary?

Once the form is in process, the applicant may need to supply additional documentation or need to answer verification questions.  The application review committee is comprised of 5 members representing the UI EAP, Family Services, Employee & Labor Relations, Health Care HR, and Finance & Operations HR.  Staff are encouraged to contact uhr-hardshipfund@uiowa.edu with eligibility questions. 

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides integrated services to faculty, staff, and their family members to promote emotional well-being and to increase engagement and productivity among members of our UI community.  To learn more, visit the UI Employee Assistance Program website.