Hardship Program

The Peninsula Chapter of SHRM Hardship Program   

What is the PenSHRM Hardship Program?

The PENSHRM Hardship program was established in 2021 and implemented in 2022  as part of the Chapter’s commitment to support Human Resources professionals. This program is designed to help members with unexpected needs that result in undue financial stress.

Who is Eligible?

Active PenSHRM members directly impacted by an unexpected life event that has a financial impact on living expenses, having not received emergency hardship funds within the last 18 months. Sudden unexpected life events include, but are not necessarily limited to: 

  • Sudden loss of income/change in employment status 

  • Natural Disasters resulting in significant personal loss. (Flood, Fire, etc.)

  • Unexpected life events (loss of life of an immediate family member, change in marital status, loss of health coverage, etc.)  

  • Other situations as deemed appropriate by the Hardship Committee.

What is covered? 

Each year, the Chapter will fund the hardship allotment to a maximum of $2,000 per year. Once that fund is exhausted, it will not be replaced until the following calendar year. Funds that are not utilized within the calendar year will automatically roll over to the next year, with the Chapter funding the difference. 

Funds allocated to eligible PenSHRM members include the following: 

  • Financial assistance with monthly bills (cell phone, utilities, car payment, mortgage/rent payments) 

  • Seasonal needs(back-to-school supplies, etc) 

  • Insurance Deductibles 

  • Eviction/foreclosure support

  • Groceries/household supplies 

How is assistance requested? 

  1. Requests for assistance should be requested by emailing [email protected] 

  2. Requests for assistance must include, at a minimum:

    • Name and Date of Request

    • Description of Hardship and supporting documents to support the claim

    • Amount requested

How will the request be evaluated?

To maintain confidentiality, each request will be assigned a unique identifier.  This identifier will replace the requestor’s name on any public documentation related to approvals.  Only the President and Committee Chair will know the name of the requestor.  

The Hardship Committee will:

  • Review the request, determine the level of funding available and amount of the award.

  • Request approval from the PENSHRM President.  

  • Report any amounts awarded to the Board of Directors on a monthly basis.

Once the request is approved and funds are allocated, the President, or their designee, will distribute the appropriate funds.   If the chapter is not able to support a request, the hardship committee will share resources and point of contacts as appropriate.