Compassus Living Foundation Grant Application Process
- Request Evaluation
- After the hospice or palliative care patient discusses their situation with their social worker, the social worker evaluates the need.
- Community Resources
- The patient’s social worker researches community resources available.
- Once local resources have been exhausted, the social worker shares the CLF Grant Application with patient/family.
- Social worker works with patient/family to complete application.
- The application must include the entire household’s financials. The foundation cannot process an individual’s application without this information.
- Social worker sends application and any additional documentation to livingfoundation@compassus.com.
- Grant requests must be made within 30 days of a patient’s passing.
Compassus Living Foundation (CLF) FAQs
What kinds of requests are eligible for CLF assistance?
For the most part, requests for assistance should be based on what is deemed necessary for the patient.
Examples are provided below, but the request does not have to fall strictly within these categories. Eligible assistance could include:
- Shelter Me:Examples include rent, mortgage, utilities, home repairs, extermination, etc.
- Wish with Me:Financial assistance with final wishes of the patient before passing. Some examples have included local/regional outings with family, airfare for relocation, theme parks or parties.
- Comfort Me:For partial costs of final arrangements, such as cremation.
Why does the grant application require the entire household’s financials?
The application must include the entire household’s financials because the foundation is committed to aiding individuals who have emergent or exigent needs that they otherwise could not reasonably afford.
Can I or a loved one apply for assistance if I am not a patient with Compassus or its affiliates?
Yes, patients outside of Compassus and its affiliates can apply for assistance through the Compassus Living Foundation. The patient’s social worker should assist with filling out the grant application.
What kinds of requests are ineligible for assistance?
CLF does not cover:
- Medical or caregiving expenses (including home health, palliative or hospice services)
- Room and board charges for patients in facilities (considered medical)
- Furniture or durable goods (e.g., lift chairs)
- Gift cards/certificates of any kind
- Taxes
- Insurance deductibles or copays
- Requests lacking financial documentation
Are there restrictions on grant amounts?
The only requests with grant limits are burial ($1,000 limit) and cremation ($500 limit) services under the “Comfort Me” category. Other requests do not have caps; therefore, social workers are encouraged to evaluate all patient needs to determine the most critical area of assistance.
Can I or a loved one apply more than once?
Assistance is only granted once per patient, so all needs should be submitted in a single, complete request. If a grant request is denied, the patient may apply again until an eligible request is approved.
Can the foundation cover housing?
CLF can cover rent, mortgage payments and utilities under the “Shelter Me” category when tied to maintaining patient shelter.
Can I submit a request more than 30 days after my loved one’s passing?
CLF can only consider grants made within 30 days of a patient’s passing.
Who can I contact for assistance?
If you have questions, please reach out to the Compassus Living Foundation at livingfoundation@compassus.com