ANNOUNCEMENTS

I’ve successfully applied for aid but I’ve not yet received a notice of approval, what should I do?

First, please check your spam folder as we’ve had numerous applicants discover their notices deflected to spam.

Second, your application may still be in review as the system has been burdened by the sheer volume of applicants, so please be patient. You are always welcome to reach out to us here.

It appears the current round of aid has completed. Is there still a chance to receive help?

YES! We are among the many charitable organizations who’ve appealed for more time to distribute funds as the need remains strong and only a portion of the Cares Act funds has been deployed. Please stay tuned for an announcement concerning a second round of aid, which will appear at the top of this page, and in your inbox.

How do I apply for the second round of aid if one becomes available?

Current applicants will automatically enter the queue for aid made available by a second round of funding from the State. If you have not yet applied, please go ahead and do so here!

Typically, how long does it take to get approved from the time of submission?

Approval times are almost entirely dependent upon the accuracy and thoroughness of the application and the verification documents that follow. If you haven’t heard from us within 30 days of document submission, please reach out to us at verify@hope-20.org and let us know!

Once I’m approved, how much financial aid can I receive?

We were approved for up to $5,000 per recipient but due to the backlog in the system, our recipients have received approximately $1,200 per person thus far. We are hopeful that we will be able to provide the full $5,000 per recipient that we applied for (and were approved for) but that is dependent on the amount and efficiency of funds being released from the State. 

Regardless, please be assured that whatever funds are available, they will be applied to your needs, and will continue to be applied monthly for as long as the program is permitted to continue.

Which bills can HOPE-20 help me with?

HOPE-20 can help you with CURRENT and PAST DUE bills in the following categories: Mortgage, Rent, Electricity, Gas and Water. 

Please don’t submit bills that don’t fit these categories, such as credit cards or phone bills. Not only do we aim to protect your information, but additional bills add workload to an already burdened process. THANK YOU for your understanding!

I’m being told my application needs to be verified; what does that mean?

In order to receive grant monies, HOPE-20 must verify your personal information and your current financial status, after which we’ll forward your application for bill pay. Every applicant will go through this “verification process,” and you’ll be updated as to its status via email.

How long does verification take?

Verification can happen in a few days, but it’s entirely dependent upon the thoroughness of the documentation we request. If you haven’t heard from us within two weeks of verification document submission, please reach out to us at verify@hope-20.org and let us know!

Is my verification information secure?

Yes! HOPE-20 will never ask for your Social Security number, credit card numbers, or passwords to accounts. And once you are approved for Bill Pay, we only need the account numbers for which payments will be made in your name.

Why are you paying my bills instead of paying me?

HOPE-20 only receives grant monies if we can certify to the Cares Act administration that your financial aid was used to meet a specific and verifiable need. If we don’t pay actual overdue bills, we cannot certify proper use of funds and will not receive reimbursements for those funds by the State. 

Besides financial aid, are there other benefits available to me?

All approved applicants qualify for free groceries through our partnership with One Generation Away, and will also receive a scholarship to a great variety of online courses to help you find community, support, and valuable career information as we navigate the crisis.

Find information on food distribution times and locations in your inbox. Current food distribution partners include Puckett’s Grocery, 3rd & Lindsley, the Bluebird Cafe and Exit/In.

HOPE-20 courses are uniquely designed to help you professionally and personally. They are provided by professionals in the industry and can all be found here.