COVID-19 Caregiving Relief Fund:
What is the Caregiving Relief Fund (CCRF) Benefit?
The JHU COVID-19 Caregiving Relief Fund (CCRF) offers financial assistance to eligible employees and students incurring new caregiving, educational support and technology expenses as a direct result of the pandemic. Applications are now OPEN.
Where can I go to learn more and apply for this fund?
For more information and to apply for the CCRF, visit the Family & Caregiving Programs page on the Benefits & Worklife website.
For questions about this program, contact the Office of Benefits & Worklife at 410-516-2000 or worklife@jhu.edu
COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund:
Who is eligible to apply for COVID-19 Emergency Relief Funds?
Only the following individuals are eligible:
- Full-time, benefits eligible, JHU employees earning $50,000 or less, with 1 year of continuous employment.
- Third-party full-time contract employees working at JHU and earning $50,000 or less, with 1 year of continuous employment.
What is the amount of the Emergency Relief Fund (ERF) benefit?
Only qualifying and substantiated expenses will be reimbursed under the ERF. A list of eligible expenses is provided below. At this time, the maximum amount available per employee or contractor is $1,000. Funds will be available on a first come, first served basis.
How do I apply for an ERF benefit?
The funding is being distributed on a first come, first served basis. To begin the application process, please log into the Benefits portal by clicking on myChoices Health and Life Enrollment, and then “View My Benefits” from the Benefits and Worklife Website. If you are eligible, you will see a link to the application on your home page.
What type of expenses are covered under the ERF?
All eligible expenses must be incurred after March 13, 2020 and must be reasonable and necessary personal, family, living, or funeral expenses and must be incurred as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Examples of such expenses include:
- Expenses related to a death in the immediate family if COVID-19 related
- Out of pocket medical expenses (including mental health and wellness) not covered by health insurance if COVID-19 related
- Childcare and/or tutoring expenses due to school closings (3/13/20-9/01/2020)
- Elder care support if COVID related (3/13/20-9/01/2020)
- Support of dependent education during the COVID-19 crisis for grades K-12 (e.g. additional hardware or internet costs) 3/13/20-9/01/2020
- Additional transportation expenses (e.g. work relocation, change in mode of transportation to avoid public transit, etc.)
- Transportation and living expenses for college students returning early.
If you receive a reimbursement in error, for reasons including, but not limited to, reimbursement of ineligible expenses, then it is your obligation to promptly repay any such monies, after notification by the university.
What type of expenses are NOT covered?
The following expenses are not covered:
- Expenses incurred prior to March 13, 2020.
- Expenses that are not reasonable and necessary.
- Expenses that constitute an income replacement (e.g. payments for lost wages, lost business income, or unemployment compensation) or are reimbursable by insurance or other sources (including other employer sources).
- Groceries and meal delivery services.
- Home office equipment and supplies.
- Non-essential, luxury, or decorative items or services.
- Expenses not incurred as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Undocumented expenses and other expenses not permitted under the law.
Could an ERF payment be provided for an expected future expense which, if incurred, would qualify as a covered expense?
No, this program will only cover expenses that have actually been incurred.
Will rent or mortgage payments be covered?
Regular rent/mortgage is not covered. However, reasonable and necessary temporary housing costs attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic may be covered.
Are medical expenses covered under this program?
Yes, unreimbursed medical expenses attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic are covered under the ERF program. This includes your medical deductible, co-insurance, and hospital copays as long as the costs are related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Medical premiums or medical expenses covered by insurance are not eligible.
Are increased health premiums (due to loss of employer contribution upon reduction in hours or termination of employment) a covered expense?
No, under the tax code (section 139 of the Internal Revenue Code), covering those costs could be seen as a wage replacement, and not directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
How do I submit my expenses and get reimbursed?
Once your application has been approved, reimbursement will be administered by Discovery Benefits, our Flexible Spending Account vendor. To start the reimbursement process you will need to log into your account at https://www.discoverybenefits.com/. If you are new to Discovery Benefits, you will need to create a username and password. Once logged in, you will follow the steps to file for reimbursement (under “Disaster Relief Fund”). You will be required to upload proper documentation such as an itemized receipt or Explanation of Benefits from the insurance company. Once approved, Discovery Benefits will reimburse you via direct deposit or by mailing a check to your home address. If you do not already have direct deposit with Discovery Benefits, you should complete this first, as it is the quickest way to be reimbursed. Claims will be reimbursed in 2-3 business days after the completed reimbursement request is submitted.
Who do I contact with questions about this program?
Contact the Benefits Service Center at 410-516-2000 or benefits@jhu.edu
Other Financial Resources:
What resources are available to university employees to help with other financial needs?
Through mySupport, you and your household family members have 24/7 telephone access to a daily life assistance counselor who can offer resources and referrals for child care, elder care, pet care, and other household needs. And mySupport also offers phone and in-person legal services and financial services. Contact Johns Hopkins mySupport at 443-997-7000 to obtain help with such things as budgeting, managing debt, avoiding foreclosure, handling creditors, tax preparation, and referrals to community resources.
