As a charitable relief fund, the FirstService Relief Fund is governed by IRS guidelines that establish what types of circumstances may qualify for charitable assistance. We are required to follow those guidelines when awarding grants. This means we cannot simply provide financial assistance whenever someone is struggling, as much as we may want to help.

To be eligible for a grant, an applicant must have experienced one of the Fund’s designated Qualified Events and meet the Fund’s other eligibility requirements. Most importantly, the financial hardship must be connected to that qualifying event.

What is a Qualified Event?

Qualified Events are specific, unexpected circumstances that can create a significant financial hardship for a team member or their family. Depending on eligibility requirements, the FirstService Relief Fund may provide assistance following events such as a serious illness or injury, the death of an immediate family member, domestic violence or another qualifying act of violence, a natural disaster, or certain unexpected events that significantly damage or affect a team member’s primary residence. Eligible dependents, including a spouse or domestic partner, may also be covered in certain circumstances. The type of expenses that can be considered depends on the Qualified Event and the Fund’s guidelines.

What Doesn’t Qualify—and Why

Car Repairs
An unexpected vehicle repair can put a significant strain on a household budget. However, routine or unexpected mechanical problems with a vehicle are not considered a Qualified Event under the Relief Fund guidelines. As a result, the cost of repairing or replacing a vehicle, on its own, does not qualify for assistance.

Accumulated Financial Stress
Falling behind on rent, utilities or other household bills can be extremely stressful. However, accumulated debt, insufficient income or difficulty keeping up with regular living expenses is not, by itself, a Qualified Event. The Fund cannot provide general financial assistance to help someone catch up on bills.

There is an important distinction, however: the circumstances that caused someone to fall behind may matter. If the financial hardship resulted from a Qualified Event—such as a serious illness or injury, death of an immediate family member, domestic violence, or damage to a primary residence—the individual may be eligible to apply based on that underlying event.

Relocation or Moving Expenses
The ordinary costs associated with moving or relocating—such as movers, deposits, transportation or setting up a new household—are not Qualified Events on their own. However, if a move is necessary because of an eligible event, such as domestic violence or a qualifying impact to a primary residence, some related expenses may be considered depending on the Fund’s guidelines.

Start With What Happened

When considering whether the Relief Fund may be able to help, the best question isn’t simply, “What expense do I need help paying?” Instead, start with “What happened that created this financial hardship?”

For example, someone seeking help with rent because their monthly expenses have gradually become unmanageable would not qualify based on rent hardship alone. But someone who has fallen behind after experiencing a serious illness or another Qualified Event may have circumstances that are eligible for consideration.

These guidelines aren’t intended to minimize the very real financial challenges our team members may face. Rather, they reflect the requirements the Fund must follow to maintain its charitable purpose and comply with applicable IRS guidelines.

If you—or a colleague—are unsure whether a situation qualifies, don’t rule yourself out. Contact the Relief Fund’s 24/7 applicant support team to discuss the circumstances and learn whether they may fall within one of the Qualified Event categories.

The Relief Fund is here to help our people through unexpected hardship. Understanding what qualifies—and why—helps ensure the Fund can continue providing assistance to team members when they experience the types of unforeseen events it was established to support.