Application Information

The Bank of America Employee Relief Fund is here to help teammates get through difficult situations that may happen from time to time. If you’re here and need help, we want to ensure that you have the information you need to effectively navigate the application process. Below you’ll find an overview of what is eligible for the program and a few FAQs that will help you apply.

Program Eligibility

We’re here to help. If you are in a difficult situation and need assistance, the first step is to determine if you qualify for assistance from the Bank of America Employee Relief Fund. Some questions to ask include:

1. Am I a qualifying employee or agent?
2. Do I have a qualifying event?
3. Are my expenses eligible?

While there is a vetting process to ensure eligibility for the program, the initial qualifiers are that simple. Let’s find out if you may be eligible based on these questions.

An employee can only be awarded one grant, for the same event for the lifetime of the program. For example, if you are awarded a grant for unexpected medical condition, you will not be eligible to receive a grant for the same unexpected medical condition in the future.

Timeline:

• The event and expenses must have occurred after the applicant’s hire date.
• The event and expenses must have occurred within the past 12 months EXCEPT for short-term evacuation (see below).
• The event and expense must have occurred within 45 days for short-term evacuation expenses related to a catastrophic disaster.

Income guidelines:

• Catastrophic Disaster Evacuation: no salary maximum
• Catastrophic Disaster Recovery: income guidelines may apply 120 days after the event
• Hardship event: income guidelines may apply. Please review the income criteria here. Proof of need may be required (unpaid bills, estimates and or bids).  

Eligible employee examples:

• Active full-time and part-time
• Family members applying on behalf of an eligible employee
• Full-time and part-time on short-term disability
• Full-time and part-time on FMLA or approved leave

Ineligible employee examples:

• Employees on long-term disability or unapproved unpaid leave
• Contract workers
• Temporary, severed, joint venture or seasonal workers
• Retired employees
• International employees

Eligible hardship event examples:

• Accident
• Death of employee, spouse/partner, or dependent
• Domestic Violence situations
• Violent and non-violent crimes

Eligible Disaster event examples:

• Catastrophic Disaster - A large scale disaster event impacting a broader community.
• Disaster resulting from an accident on a Common Carrier (e.g. public bus, ship, airplane, train, etc.)
• House fire

Eligible expense examples:

• Food and clothing
• Basic household goods and essential utilities
• Housing-related assistance, including, but not limited to, reasonable repairs, mortgage and rent payments
• Short-term medical, dental, hearing, or vision expenses
• Basic transportation (not including routine maintenance)
• Disaster-related evacuation expenses
• Funeral, travel, and burial expenses

Ineligible expense examples:

• Lost compensation due to reduced hours or missed time from work
• Legal fees, garnishments or expenses associated with divorce or custody cases such as loss of Alimony
• Credit card or personal loan debt
• Elective medical procedures
• Routine automobile/home repair or those due to deferred maintenance
• Tuition

Maximum Grant Award:

Hardship Relief: While the maximum grant award for Hardships is up to $5,000 USD, grant amounts vary based upon the need and expenses requested with each eligible event.

Disaster Relief: The maximum grant award for disaster relief and recovery is $2,500 USD with up to $1,500 toward evacuation support.

If you're having financial difficulties but don't meet these guidelines, Bank of America offers support through the Employee Assistance Program. Confidential counseling is free and available 24/7. You can go online or call 866.327.2725 to connect to a wide range of professional services - counseling, financial and legal advice, child care referrals and elder care services.

How to Apply

Step 1

Click the apply button - Create an online account or log in (if you have already created an account) to access the application page, complete the application with the requested information.

Step 2

Submit your application - Complete the requested information and upload the required supporting document and submit for review.

Step 3

Breathe easier - A grant specialist will review your application and contact you if more information is required. 

Supporting documents are necessary for evaluating and determining the eligibility of the grant request. Applicants should include all documentation that verifies their inability to pay basic living expenses.

• Most recent pay stub and pay stubs that reflect income prior to event for the employee and any household members
• Most recent federal income tax return(s) of the employee and any household members
• Past due bills and/or eviction notices
• Police or fire reports
• Death certificate
• Court documents
• Hotel/Lodging receipts (in the case of evacuation)
• Insurance claims forms
• Repair estimates on company letterhead
• Invoice from funeral home

Note: When submitting documentation, remove/mark through any confidential data such as Social Security numbers and bank account numbers.

What Happens Next?

Once your application is received you will receive a notification confirming your application has been submitted for review. If additional information is necessary to move forward, you will receive an email outlining what documentation our team needs. Upon receipt of all supporting documentation a grant specialist will review and make a decision regarding your request within 3-5 business days. If approved, a grant distribution will be made based on your payment preference selected in the application. Check back daily to see the progress of your application as it moves through the review process.