Emergency Financial Assistance
Living with a chronic illness does not just affect the individual physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially. It also affects them financially. Often survivors may miss numerous days of work, are unable to work full-time, or are deemed disabled. Social Butterflies Foundation understands this dilemma and created its Emergency Financial Assistance program to help provide some relief bridging the gap in service. The Emergency Financial Assistance Program will assist persons 18 years of age or older medically diagnosed with lupus and/or fibromyalgia with grants to assist with medical bills and prescription costs directly related to lupus or fibromyalgia. A medical release form must be completed, signed, and emailed to the program director in order to verify a lupus or fibromyalgia diagnosis. Proof of identity will be required. Approved grants will be paid directly to the agency or healthcare provider. The Emergency Financial Assistance is currently available for Virginia residents only.
Important Guidelines and Criteria:
• The Social Butterflies Foundation financial grant MUST BE directly related to the treatment of lupus and/or fibromyalgia or a “lupus/fibromyalgia-related” emergency. Grant requests are not accepted for rent, mortgage, car payments, cell phone bills, or cable and internet services. Grant relief for utilities such as electricity, water, and gas will be considered if it will exacerbate the survivors’ medical condition.
• Applicants must identify the need and demonstrate how a grant will either fully cover the need or supplement personal or provider resources. Approved grants will be paid directly to the agency or healthcare provider.
• Grant requests must be exhaustive – requests will not be considered if assistance is available through ANY other sources (other organizations, government agencies, health insurance coverage).
• Grants are limited to one per 12-month period per person. The approved grant amount is determined based on the proven balance amount owed, and it will not exceed $250. If the amount owed exceeds $250, the applicant must have the excess amount paid prior to receiving any approved grants.
Examples of Financial Need: Purchase of necessary medications or drugs (on physician’s orders).
For more information about the Emergency Financial Assistance Program, please contact Shannon Spivey at sspivey@socialbutterfliesfoundation.org.
To complete an application for assistance –
EFA Request Form