Writing a Hardship Letter for a Crisis Grant (with Sample)
Use this sample hardship letter for a crisis grant as a template for your formal notification.
Unexpected events in life may constitute a crisis for a family, a student and even a small business. There are many different crisis grants available that are designed to help the individual or business through a crisis, so they have the time to get back on their feet and continue to handle their financial obligations responsibly.
Some foundations or programs may require proof that the applicant has tried all other avenues of assistance before they will consider them for a hardship grant.
There may be application forms associated with each grant, but an accompanying hardship letter is very important to add a human touch.
A crisis grant is not intended for people who could have foreseen their hardship or budgeted for it. There are many circumstances that constitute a hardship, but the three main eligible circumstances are:
- The death of a spouse, especially if the spouse was an income-earner
- Unavoidable homelessness or destitution
- The serious illness of an uninsured spouse or child
The first thing an applicant should do is to research the potential grant opportunities such as Foundation Center at foundationcenter.org.
This is just one user-friendly database that lists grants for individuals. It is possible to search for a specific reason such as living costs, rent or mortgage costs, housing and utilities and more. The applicant should make a list of potential foundations that will give for his or her hardship.
The hardship letter for a crisis grant should include a personal statement about what led to the hardship. For example, if the hardship was caused by sudden illness, the type of illness should be mentioned along with the treatment given, the hospital bills and what effect this had on the life of the applicant. The applicant should not sound demanding or desperate.
Simple and Factual
The tone of the letter should be simple and factual. The letter should include any unique or individual circumstances, to show how the hardship is different from other people’s experiences.
For example, the letter may include income statements proving the loss of income, insurance statements that prove the insurance only paid a small portion of the medical bills and any documents from the hospital showing treatments, doctor’s notes and costs.
The hardship letter should not exaggerate the situation or give any false information. If false information is given, and the applicant is granted financial help, he or she could be charged with fraud.
The letter should also include information about how the applicant is trying to remedy his or her financial situation. The writer should get to the point in the first sentence and not waste the reader’s time with a long introduction.
Below is a sample hardship letter for a crisis grant. It should be addressed to the correct individual who will oversee the granting process. If the applicant doesn’t have a name, he or she can call the grant funding agency and ask.
It should be sent by certified mail, even if the application is also sent online. A delivery confirmation may be requested so that the applicant is sure the letter was received. All the documents enclosed should be copies. No original documents should be sent.
Sample Hardship Letter for a Crisis Grant
Name of Applicant
Address of Applicant
City, State, Zip Code
DATE
Name of Relevant Person
Name of Foundation or Association
Address of Foundation or Association
City, State, Zip Code
RE: Formal request for a crisis grant
Dear Name of Relevant Person:
This letter accompanies my application for a crisis grant. It is a formal request for a favorable reply to my application. My wife and I have lived within our means for the past five years and have avoided piling up crushing debt.
However, all of that changed when my wife got breast cancer and required expensive treatment. We have a small health insurance policy, but it does not cover all of the expenses. Because of this, we have fallen behind in our mortgage payment, utility bills and car loan payments.
I am requesting a financial grant to help us get through this trying time. The prognosis for my wife is good, but she will not be able to go back to work for at least six months.
Meanwhile, my salary is not enough to make payments and buy food and gasoline. I believe we can be financially secure again by DATE.
I have enclosed copies of my wife’s medical bills, tests and doctor’s notes as well as proof of my income, insurance premiums and invoices for my mortgage and other bills.
Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter. If you have any questions, I can be reached at Phone Number or at Email Address at any time. I would welcome a chance to meet you and explain further my situation and the steps we are taking towards financial stability.
Sincerely,
Signature of Applicant
Printed Name of Applicant
List of Enclosures
By Andre Bradley
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