Staff Emergency Fund

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The university’s Staff Emergency Fund (SEF) provides limited financial assistance when you’re unable to meet immediate, essential expenses because of a temporary hardship related to an emergency situation. Funds granted to you are counted as income and subject to federal taxes.

This specific fund is dedicated to employees whose employment does not require student status. To view financial assistance information for students, please visit the Student Emergency Fund page.

The SEF is made possible because of the support of the President’s Office, university employees, and the efforts of Staff Council.

Eligibility

To be eligible, you must:

  • Be an active, non-faculty, university staff member
  • Have full or part-time continuous employment (benefits-eligible) for at least 6 months prior to the date you apply
  • Have a temporary financial hardship because of an emergency situation
  • Have not received a Staff Emergency Fund award in the past 2 years
  • Have an adjusted gross income of less than $75,000 for an individual or $150,000 or less for couple filing jointly

A temporary financial hardship is one caused by a specific event such as but not limited to:

  • Death of a family or household member
  • Loss of livable housing due to structural damages caused by fire or natural disaster
  • Serious illness or injury
  • Significant loss of household income affecting your ability to pay for basic needs

Temporary financial hardship means a hardship event rather than pre-existing financial concerns. Given the limited amount of funds, all requests can't be approved even though there may be a clear need for assistance. Car repairs and transportation expenses resulting from damage to automobiles do not qualify as an emergency expense.  Medical expenses resulting from an auto accident may qualify as an emergency.

How to Apply

  1. Fill out the form electronically or print the form (PDF) and fill in manually. Be sure to sign and date the form to verify that the information is valid and accurate. All applications are treated confidential.
  2. Attach copies of all bills related to the hardship. Other documentation may be requested during the application process.
  3. There are two options to completing this application. Either print out the document, complete it by hand and scan the application (as well as supporting documents) to eap@austin.utexas.edu. Or, complete the document electronically, save it as a PDF and email it to eap@austin.utexas.edu. If you need to make alternate arrangements to turn in your application, please email us or call 512-471-3366.
  4. You may be contacted by Employee Assistance Program (EAP) staff to review the application and to discuss other resources or services.
  5. You will be notified by EAP staff of approval or denial within 3 business days after your completed application and supporting documents are received.
  6. If your application is approved, the check will be sent to the address you specify. If you would prefer direct deposit, please tell the EAP staff member who informs you of approval so that they may provide you with direct deposit forms and instructions.

Note: If your application is found to contain misleading or inaccurate information it will be considered invalid and won't be forwarded to the selection committee.

Disclosure of your Social Security number (SSN) may be requested from you in order for The University of Texas at Austin to process payment of a Staff Emergency Fund grant. Internal Revenue Service regulations require that the grant be reported as income. Failure to provide your SSN may result in inability to release the funds. Further disclosure of your SSN is governed by the Public Information Act (Chapter 552 of the Texas Government Code) and other applicable law.

How to Contribute

Contributing to the fund is your opportunity to help other University staff members. If you'd like to make a charitable contribution to the Staff Emergency Fund, please donate through the Staff Emergency Fund HornRaiser campaign

Donate Now

You can also donate at the University of Texas Giving Page. Choose Financial and Administrative Services as the designation, then Staff Emergency Fund from the drop down menu.

Alternatively, you may donate by sending a check or money order to:

University of Texas Foundation

9011 Mountain Ridge Dr., Suite 150

Austin, Texas 78759

Designate “University of Texas at Austin SEF” in the memo section.

Contributions to the SEF can also be made through the Hearts of Texas Campaign. Contributions to the Hearts of Texas Campaign will go to the University of Texas Foundation Fund (Charity Code 228176) which funds 3 staff and student initiatives: the Staff Emergency Fund, Friends of Orange Santa, and the Student Emergency Fund.