2020 Ensign Benefits Guide

26 When you least expect it, life can change in an instant. A tragic accident, a home fire, the death of a loved one; at one time or another, we have all faced personal disaster. When you’re a member of the Ensign-affiliated family, there is help. In times of need, it’s good to have someone to fall back on. The Emergency Fund may be able to provide financial support and resources to help pick up the pieces after a personal crisis. The Emergency Fund is designed to provide the same kind of help we would want to provide individually, but in a way that expands the Ensign family and the availability of assistance. The Emergency Fund is part of a public charity pursuant to Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)3. All donations are tax deductible and the grants are not taxable for the recipients which will allow us to help even more people. Helping is easy. Fill out the Voluntary Deduction Authorization Form indicating the amount you would like to contribute. You can contribute a little each paycheck— from $1 to $10 or more. You can also download the form from the Emergency Fund website at https://theemergencyfund.net . The Emergency Fund Applying for Assistance 1. Request and complete a grant application from your Executive Director or Payroll/HR Rep. You can also obtain an application at theemergencyfund.net or by contacting the Service Center Human Resources Department at (949) 487-9500. 2. A grant application form must be completed and signed by your Executive Director, Director of Nursing or their designee in order to be considered for financial assistance. Follow up documentation or additional information may be requested by the Disbursement Committee upon review of the application, depending on the circumstances. 3. The completed application and attached documentation, if requested, should be marked “Confidential” and sent by any one of the following methods: US Mail : Ensign Service Center, Attn: The Emergency Fund Disbursement Committee at 27101 Puerta Real, Suite 450, Mission Viejo, CA 92691 Email : emergencyfund@ensignservices.net 4. The Disbursement Committee will review the application and make a determination within one week upon receiving the application. In cases of dire emergencies, the Disbursement Committee will make every effort to reach a decision within 72 hours. If additional information is required, the employee or Executive Director will be contacted. Once a decision has been reached, the employee will be notified as soon as possible. 5. If the application has been approved, a check will be mailed to the grant recipient or their designee as soon as possible. If the application has not been approved, the employee will have the option of appealing the decision, but must do so by contacting the Disbursement Committee within 5 working days upon notification of the decision. If the employee does not respond to the notification within 5 days, the matter will be considered closed. 6. If the employee chooses to appeal, it is the employee’s responsibility to contact the Disbursement Committee for information on the appeal process and to submit other documentation which would help support the request for financial assistance. 7. If the Disbursement Committee does not approve the application the second time, then the matter will be closed. Eligibility for Assistance • Current employees must have completed 6 months of service. • Employees can be full-time or part- time, exempt or non-exempt. • Retirees (must have been retired for six months or less). • Former employees (must have been separated from employment for six months or less and in good standing upon termination). • Surviving dependents or family members of an eligible employee (if death occurred within a time frame of six months or less).