About Us

The Friends Helping Friends program was created to help our fellow members in times of personal crisis and hardship. You must be a current member of the SCEA to apply for and be considered for the Friends Helping Friends program.

Eligibility

To qualify for financial assistance from the SCEA FHF Assistance Fund, an employee of the Southern California division of Albertsons Companies must meet the following criteria:

• Be a current, dues paying member of the SCEA for 90 consecutive days. Members can apply for assistance immediately providing the incident takes place after enrollment in the Association; however, the Member will not be eligible to receive financial assistance until 90 consecutive days of dues have been paid.
• Currently employed by the Southern California division of the Albertsons Companies and in good standing with the company (not currently on disciplinary suspension or administrative leave), and current on SCEA financial obligations.
• Not have received assistance from the SCEA within the last 24 months.
• Retiree members are not eligible for assistance.
• Members on approved LOA are eligible to receive grants for incidents occurring while on leave provided he/she is a member in good standing for at least 90 days prior to the leave and SCEA membership is resumed upon return.
• Immediate family (parents, children and spouse) may make a request on behalf of the Member if he/she is deceased, or if medical conditions or active military service prevent the Member from submitting the application him or herself.   If approved, the family member shall receive tax free assistance under the SCEA Member’s tax exemption.
• FHF assistance is not intended to cover day-to-day expenses such as, but not limited to, rent, mortgage, mechanical issues, insurance premiums, hours loss at work, veterinary bills and most dental work. 

Assistance Categories

SCEA grants charitable assistance to its members if they have experienced an unexpected personal crisis which places an immediate and heavy financial hardship on the Member and his/her family. Crises falling into the following categories will be considered:

• Death/Funeral Expenses – If the Member has lost a parent, child or spouse and is financially responsible for any costs associated with the funeral, cremation, burial and/or travel to the funeral.
• Serious Illness or Extreme Emergency Medical Bills – Grants are available if the Member, or immediate family member (spouse or children), has extreme medical bills for procedures considered medically necessary (not elective) and are not covered by insurance.
• Personal Property Damage/Loss – Grants are available if the Member’s primary residence, primary mode of transportation, and/or essential personal belongings are lost, damaged or destroyed due to the lawful actions (not the willful intent or fault of the Member) such as earthquake, fire, flood, accident, burglary or vandalism.

Supporting Documentation

Applications must be accompanied by documentation supporting the details of the incident, proof of relationship and the financial costs incurred by the Member. Examples of documentation include, but are not limited to:

• Death/Funeral Expenses
• Death certificate
• Proof of relationship- if not listed on the death certificate stating relationship, a birth certificate is required.
• Proof of financial cost incurred- contract showing amount member paid to mortuary, cemetery and/or crematory with members signature. If member traveled in relation to services, receipts showing member purchases for air fair or car rental.
• Serious Illness or Emergency Medical Bills
• Medical bills- actual bill is required; not statements from insurance. Dates of service MUST be within 180 days of submitting application. Bills need to show dates of service.
• Medical Documentation 
• Personal Property Damage/Loss
• Proof of residency- rental or lease agreement with the signature of the owner/landlord and the tenant/resident, deed or title to residential real property, mortgage bill, home utility bills (including cellular phone bill).
• Insurance documents or police report- verifying/indicating damage or loss.