Grant Criteria

Please read the guidelines below:

The Hardship Assistance Grant program is managed by the Hai Life Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that operates independently of Hai Hospitality Group and related subsidiaries. The Foundations mission is to provide assistance to Hai Hospitality employees that are currently experiencing a crisis situation, as well as support other non-profit organizations in the communities in which we operate. The Foundation’s financial resources comes from Hai Hospitality employees, owners, external individuals and businesses that want to support the Foundation’s mission. It is the responsibility of the Foundation to ensure that the resources are administered in accordance to the Foundation’s charter and to make the greatest impact to those in need. To apply for a Hardship Grant Assistance, you must be a current employee of Hai Hospitality, Uchi Restaurants, or Loro Asian Smokehouse & Bar. Please carefully read the guidelines below to determine if you qualify for a Hardship Grant Assistance.

To ensure the Foundation is able to support those most in need, individuals must meet the following criteria in order to apply:

SPECIFIC & IDENTIFIABLE
There must be a specific and identifiable event triggering the request for assistance. Please describe in detail in the application

SUDDEN
The hardship event must be swift and sudden, not gradual or progressive in nature.

UNEXPECTED
The situation was not reasonably foreseen or avoided. An ordinary, anticipated event caused by deliberate intent will not qualify

UNUSUAL
The event must be extraordinary and non-recurring, and cannot normally occur in the ordinary course of day-to-day living.

PLEASE CAREFULLY REVIEW THE FOLLOWING BEFORE SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION

Hardship Assistance Grants can help by assisting with the following:

1. HOUSING RELATED: Necessary monthly living expenses including rent, mortgage, food, water, and utilities. For example, unexpected eviction or foreclosure notice, domestic violence, property damage.
2. MEDICAL RELATED: Extreme medical debt so that team members can continue to heal. Before applying for medical bill assistance, please call your medical providers and inquire about their financial aid and payment program options.
3. TRANSPORTATION: Extensive car repairs to avoid interruption in ability to get to work and earn an income. Does not include failure of basic maintenance.
4. DEATH IN FAMILY: Basic funeral expenses in the event of a death of an immediate family member.

The Hardship Grant should be considered a “last-resort” resource and we ask, that before applying, the Team Member exhausts all other means of help (eg: Family and Friends, Government Assistance, Insurance, Community Programs, etc…). We do not encourage the use of payday loans as another means of help.

The Hardship Assistance Grants cannot pay for the following items:

• Credit Card Bills, Student Loans, Personal Loans, Payday Loans
• Household Goods, Clothing, Furniture, Electronics, etc…
• Legal Costs, court fines, bail, or probation fees
• Coverage for lost wages or income
• Medical Bills to providers outside of Workman’s Compensation Guidelines (acupuncture, massage therapy, etc… )
• Eviction or foreclosures notices due to property damage or illegal activity will not be considered for assistance.
• For eviction or foreclosure notices as a result of non-payment, the Foundation will only consider applications if the eviction or foreclosure process has started.

The Bylaws of the Hai Life Foundation prohibit it from replacing lost wages caused by an event leading to financial hardship. Please note that if grant criteria are met, any grant assistance that may be provided by the Hai Life Foundation will be paid by check from the Hai Life Foundation directly to the entity or entities that are owed (mortgage companies, landlords, utility providers, healthcare providers, etc.) on behalf of the grant applicant.  Therefore, the dollar amount of financial assistance that is requested must be the equivalent of the dollar amount of qualifying bills or invoices that are unable to be paid due to a qualifying hardship. The Foundation is prohibited from reimbursing applicants for invoices that have already been paid, or for anticipated future hardships. The maximum amount of grant assistance that the Foundation can provide is $3,000.00.

The Hai Life Committee will review your application as soon as possible and be in touch with you based on the contact information provided. If you believe that your situation meets the requirements above, please begin the application process by following the link below.

In addition to the completed online application the following supporting documents are required:

• Two most recent months of bank statements for applicant supporting finantial hardship.
• Supporting billing information (medical billing statement, rent/ mortgage statement, etc…) proof of insurance, pictures of damage, and other supporting documents to help the Foundation Committee make an informed decision.

Apply for Grant Assistance