May 2023 update: At this time, the OneUCares Fund does not have emergency funds available to provide to employees. Employees who are struggling financially may want to consider taking a loan from their retirement plan account (unless they are enrolled in a Utah Retirement Systems plan).
Unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances such as sudden illness, family crisis, or natural disaster can result in a temporary financial hardship. The OneUCares Faculty and Staff Emergency Fund (the “OneUCares Fund”) was established to assist eligible University of Utah faculty and staff during such times. The OneUCares Fund can provide financial resources to a single household up to a maximum of $500.00. The OneUCares Fund is made possible because of the support of University leadership and generous donations from University employees.
The following employees are eligible for assistance from the emergency fund:
- Staff in a benefit-eligible position who have at least six months of continuous benefit-eligible service with the University.
- Faculty members (tenure-line or career-line) with at least a 50% appointment and who have at least six months of continuous benefit-eligible service with the University.
Eligible employees must meet the following requirements:
- Be in good standing with no current disciplinary actions
- Not be separating from University employment (does not include authorized paid or unpaid leaves of absence or furloughs)
- The employee’s household has not received assistance from the OneUCares Fund within the past twelve (12) months
- Have a temporary hardship that results in the employee being unable to meet immediate, essential expenses
- Employee must first exhaust all other available avenues of assistance
Complete the OneUCares Fund Application for Assistance application.
Contact University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you need a paper copy.
Note: If an application is found to contain misleading or inaccurate information it will be considered invalid and will be denied. If any completed information is found to be false after distribution of funds, the employee may be required to repay the amount received. Knowingly providing a statement that contains any false, incomplete or misleading information may result in adverse employment action, up to and including termination of employment.
A temporary financial hardship is one caused by a specific event rather than pre-existing financial concerns. The hardship may affect the employee, the Employee’s Spouse or Domestic Partner, or the Employee’s other Immediate Family Member as defined in University Rule 5-200A, Section II. Temporary means that the employee was able to manage finances before, however the employee is now facing a significant need to regain financial stability. Long-standing financial problems do not meet the temporary hardship requirements and would not be eligible. See examples of qualifying hardships below.
Qualifying temporary hardships include, but are not limited to:
- The cost to repair or replace essential basic necessities following fire, natural disaster, or other factor not covered by insurance
- The inability to pay for basic needs, utilities, or food resulting from a significant loss of household income
- Emergency temporary housing assistance which could include rent, security deposit, short-term hotel costs incurred to relocate, quarantine or isolate, for personal safety (including domestic violence situations), etc.
- Funeral expenses following the death of a family or household member in a situation that would qualify for bereavement leave under University Rule 5-201A Paragraph II.B
- Unexpected medical, mental health or dental costs not covered by insurance
- Unplanned travel expenses related to the emergency to receive medical care, to self-quarantine or isolate
- Temporary assistance with food insecurity resulting from the emergency
- Unplanned or additional childcare costs for staff and faculty required to work on campus during an emergency
- Emergency personal or incidental expenses such as clothing, hygiene items, etc.
- Safety-related needs such as change of locks, legal assistance, court fees, etc.
Financial hardships NOT covered by the OneUCares Fund include, but are not limited to:
- Court or traffic fines
- Circumstances that are the result of illegal activity committed by the employee or one of the employee's dependents
- Major purchases of non-essential items (car, air conditioner, etc)
- Gambling debts
- Chronic debt or sustained financial short-falls
The OneUCares Fund is made possible because of the support of University leadership and the generosity of peers. You can make a difference in the lives of your fellow staff and faculty today by making a gift to the OneUCares Fund. Together we are one U. Make a gift by clicking the “Donate Now” button above, or through the other giving options below. Thank you!
Enroll for payroll deduction - sign-up for any amount and length of time you prefer
Mail your donation – please make the check payable to the University of Utah. In the check memo please include: OneUCaresFund. Send to: University Advancement P.O. Box 58006, Salt Lake City, UT 84158
Donations to the OneUCares Fund are tax deductible. All donated funds will be used to provide financial assistance to eligible employees. No donated funds will be used to administer the program. Individuals may donate by check payable to University of Utah OneUCares Fund.
The amount of assistance available from the OneUCares Fund depends entirely on donations received. As a result, requests may not be approved, even though there may be a clear need for assistance. The OneUCares Fund may be insufficient in the case of widespread disasters, community crisis, pandemic, or acts of war or terrorism.
University Human Resource Management ("UHRM") will oversee administration of the OneUCares Fund. A diverse review committee consisting of at least three (3) University faculty and staff will review requests and make decisions regarding distribution of the money in the OneUCares Fund.
Information provided by applicants will be treated as confidential and shared only with individuals directly involved in the OneUCares Fund administration, processing and tax reporting. Applications will be reviewed anonymously and review committee members will not be given the name of the employee applying for assistance.
Emergency funds will be paid to the recipient through the University's payroll system. If the qualifying temporary hardship is to meet reasonable and necessary personal, family, living, or funeral expenses incurred as a result of a qualified national disaster in accordance with IRC Sec 139, the funds will not be taxable to the recipient. Otherwise, amounts received will be taxable to the recipient as regular compensation and will be included in the employee's taxable earnings on Form W-2.
UHRM will make every effort to have applications reviewed as quickly as possible. If approved, the assistance amount will be distributed to the employee's bank account by direct deposit within five (5) business days of approval. Direct deposits will be made to the same account(s) to which University payroll is directed.
Employees who receive emergency funds through the OneUCares Fund are not required to repay the amount received. However employees are encouraged to "pay it forward" in the future and donate to the OneUCares Fund when their financial circumstances allow.
The University intends to continue the OneUCares Fund indefinitely; however, it reserves the right to amend, suspend or discontinue the program at any time.