Eligibility and required documentation vary from fund to fund, depending on the type of assistance being given. Examples of required documentation can be found below.
Income/Employment Verification
Some funds are focused on providing relief to individuals who work in specific industries or at certain income levels. Acceptable employment verification documents include:
Your most recent pay stub showing your full name
Notification from a company-provided email address explaining loss of job or reduction of hours
A letter of employment or other HR documentation (such as reviews, benefits statements, etc.) on company letterhead
Clear, legible photo of proof of licensure (such as a license to practice in a barber shop, nail salon, etc.)
Acceptable income verification documents:
Most recent Federal Income Tax form
Most recent paycheck stub from your employer
Letter from employer with gross monthly income
Bank statement showing income deposits/transactions
Unemployment benefit statements
Social Security benefit statements
1099-R or other pension or retirement fund withdrawal statements
ID and Address Verification
Other funds are focused on providing relief to people in a specific geography. You must be able to provide evidence that confirms your full name and home address. Acceptable documents are unexpired and include the following ID verifications:
Driver’s License
State ID
City ID
FOID Card
Passport
Or two of the following address verifications:
Medical Insurance Card
Auto Insurance Card
Lease Agreement
Mortgage documents (payment statement, deed)
Property Tax bill
Utility Bill within last three months
Auto Registration Paperwork
Bank Statement within the last three months
Paycheck stub with imprinted information within the last three months
Voters Registration
Active Duty Military ID with issued and expiration dates
Note: Only two different types of address-proof documents are acceptable. Submitting the same type of documentation twice, even though the information is different, will result in a denial of your verification form.
Date of Birth Verification
Some funds are focused on providing relief to people within a certain age group. Evidence must include both your full name and date of birth. You must upload a copy of a valid, unexpired, government-issued ID. Acceptable documents include:
Driver’s License
State ID
City ID
Passport
Passport Card
Birth Certificate
Active Duty Military ID with issued and expiration dates
Firearm Owners Identification Card (FOID)
Financial Hardship Verification
To be eligible, you must be able to provide evidence that you are experiencing a hardship. Some hardship examples and required documentation include:
Unpaid leave due to mandatory isolation
Documentation from your employer confirming the reason for leave of absence and whether it is paid or unpaid.
Unpaid leave due to voluntary isolation in order to provide care for vulnerable or infected relatives and/or dependents
Documentation from your employer confirming the reason for leave of absence and whether it is paid or unpaid.
Loss of wages due to involuntary cancellation of work or reduction of hours
A layoff or shift cancellation notice from your employer. Notice(s) must include an effective date and end date or that the time period is indefinite.
Unpaid leave of absence due to school or daycare closure
Documentation from your child’s school/school district verifying closure and a notice from your employer confirming the reason for leave of absence, as well as if it is paid or unpaid.
Examples of Unacceptable Documents
While we understand you want to be able to show proof that you are experiencing a hardship, certain documents/photos can not be accepted because they can’t be verified properly. Some examples include, but are not limited to:
Handwritten letters from employers
Photographs of any kind depicting hardship (e.g., photos from a hospital, workplace closures, photos of self, etc.) other than those listed above are acceptable.
Text message/social media conversation screenshots
For updates on a submitted application, please access the Applications section in your UpTogether Settings. For more information, please contact an UpTogether Support Specialist.
Still have questions? Contact a Support Agent!