The Jack Pearl Jewish Family Fund provides emergency assistance and micro-grants to residents of San Luis Obispo County and Northern Santa Barbara County (San Miguel to Santa Maria) for various issues for up to $200 on a one-time basis as funds are available. This is per household, per year.
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​If a client request is over $200, we need to know they can pay the balance of funds BEFORE we can assist them.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PROGRAM HERE

To Apply for a Micro-Grant for Your Client:

1. Confirm that your client has exhausted all other avenues prior to reaching out to Jewish Family Services. 

• Jewish Family Services considers itself an "agency of last resort". We define that as:
  "​An applicant should have exhausted all other means such as family, friends, employers, other institutions and lenders before asking for a grant from JFS. If JFS believes an applicant has other alternatives than a grant, this shall be sufficient to deny a request."​

​2. Obtain your client's consent that other agencies, organizations and references may be contacted and information shared and verified in order to assess whether the grant should be made.
3. Ensure that you have verified the required supporting documents prior to referring a client.** 
4. Then, fill out this form on the behalf of your client:

Case worker referral form

WHAT KINDS OF SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE?

It is the policy of Jewish Family Services to make grants for living expenses (ie; housing, utilities, medicine) and other similar emergency needs. Following are some brief examples of assistance we have provided:

• DMV registration fees
• Car insurance
• Car repairs
• Gas to drive to work and medical appointments
• Medical supplies
• Limited rent and utility assistance (to bridge gaps of $200 or less).​​​

JFS will not make grants for other purposes such as:

• Capital for a business
• Credit card bills
• Paying back creditors or student loans
• Personal loans
• Reimbursement for previous expenses​

** WHAT DOCUMENTATION IS NEEDED?

**Supporting documents for the client may include, but are not limited to:

• Government-issued photo identification
• Birth certificates
• Social Security cards
• EBT cards (e.g., Food Stamps)
• CenCal cards
• Proof of income  (income guidelines are based on 200% of the Federal Poverty Level; the same guidelines used for Food Stamps determination)

• Bank statements
• Vehicle registration
• Vehicle insurance
• Rental agreement
• Invoices
• Written estimates

While information about the applicant is kept confidential, JFS volunteers, the JFS Steering Committee, JCC staff and the JCC-Federation of SLO Board of Directors might be informed of the grant and all or some of the relevant information obtained in connection with the grant review process.

​Under exceptional circumstances, the JCC-Federation of SLO Board of Directors in its sole discretion may waive or modify any of the conditions listed on this site to approve or deny a grant.