JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES - PLEASE NOTE THIS PROCESS HAS CHANGED.
As of May 1, 2024 Jewish Family Services is open on a limited basis.
Due to an overwhelming volume of requests, it may take several weeks for the JFS Coordinator to respond to your application.
We are able to work fastest when we can connect with local case workers. If you already have a case worker, they can see if the JFS program can help.
If not, there are many agencies within SLO County you can reach out to. You can see some of them listed below in "Who to Contact First."
If you need immediate or additional additional assistance, please call 211 or visit their website:
www.unitedwayslo.org/211slo
Due to an overwhelming volume of requests, it may take several weeks for the JFS Coordinator to respond to your application.
We are able to work fastest when we can connect with local case workers. If you already have a case worker, they can see if the JFS program can help.
If not, there are many agencies within SLO County you can reach out to. You can see some of them listed below in "Who to Contact First."
If you need immediate or additional additional assistance, please call 211 or visit their website:
www.unitedwayslo.org/211slo
Who to Contact First
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."
Here are some resources to contact before applying to Jewish Family Services:
- Call 211 Information and referral service: https://www.unitedwayslo.org/211slo
- Bureau of Auto Repair Consumer Assistance Program (help with repairs for failed smog test):
https://www.bar.ca.gov/consumer/consumer-assistance-program/cap-repair-assistance-program - California Lifeline program (no cost cell phones and service): https://californialifeline.com/en
- California Low-Cost Auto Insurance Program (a state-sponsored program that makes auto insurance affordable): 866-602-8861, https://www.mylowcostauto.com/
- Catholic Charities: 805-541-9110 (for general assistance)
- CAPSLO's Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) (for assistance with PG&E, propane, SoCalGas and water bills):
805-541-4122, https://capslo.org/utility-assistance/ - Independent Living Resource Center (ILRC) (supports the disabled to live independently in the community): 805-462-1162, https://ilrc-trico.org/
- St. Vincent DePaul: 805-544-7041 (for general assistance)
- Salvation Army: 805-544-2401 (for general assistance)
- SLO Foodbank Food Locater: https://www.slofoodbank.org/food-locator/#food-locator-tool
- Spectrum Internet Assist program (discounted Internet for qualifying low-income customers): https://www.spectrum.com/internet/
Emergency Assistance and Micro-grant Guidelines
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 Lompoc) for various issues for up to $200 on a one-time basis as funds are available. If your request is over $200, we need to know you can pay the balance of funds BEFORE we can assist you.
JFS offers support to anyone in our community regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, national origin, gender identity/expression or sexual orientation. We are a "helping hand for all".
JFS offers support to anyone in our community regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, national origin, gender identity/expression or sexual orientation. We are a "helping hand for all".
Review the Application Process
Individuals seeking a grant or assistance of any kind shall fill out the application posted (below) on the Jewish Family Services portion of the JCC-Federation of SLO website for an initial screening. That material goes to the JFS Intake Coordinator who will review the application and contact the applicant by phone or email for an assessment interview.
If the Intake Coordinator finds the application is appropriate, they will ask the applicant to provide supporting documents for evaluation of eligibility including, but not limited to:
If the Intake Coordinator finds the application is appropriate, they will ask the applicant to provide supporting documents for evaluation of eligibility including, but not limited to:
|
● government issued photo identification
● birth certificates ● Social Security cards ● EBT cards (e.g., Food Stamps) ● CenCal cards ● proof of income |
● bank statements
● vehicle registration ● vehicle insurance ● rental agreement ● invoices ● written estimates |
Income guidelines are based on 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (the same guidelines used for Food Stamps determination).
It is the policy of Jewish Family Services to make grants for living expenses (ie; housing, utilities, medicine) and other similar emergency needs.
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
The application provides 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.
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.
Whenever possible, as recipients’ financial situations stabilize, JFS encourages grant recipients to repay grants and contribute to the Jack Pearl/Jewish Family Services Fund so funds will continue to be available to families or individuals in need for the future.
Under exceptional circumstances, the JCC-Federation of SLO Board of Directors in its sole discretion may waive or modify any of the above conditions to approve or deny a grant.
It is the policy of Jewish Family Services to make grants for living expenses (ie; housing, utilities, medicine) and other similar emergency needs.
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
The application provides 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.
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.
Whenever possible, as recipients’ financial situations stabilize, JFS encourages grant recipients to repay grants and contribute to the Jack Pearl/Jewish Family Services Fund so funds will continue to be available to families or individuals in need for the future.
Under exceptional circumstances, the JCC-Federation of SLO Board of Directors in its sole discretion may waive or modify any of the above conditions to approve or deny a grant.
How to Apply for JFS Emergency Assistance or a Micro-Grant
TO APPLY for emergency assistance or a micro-grant, please fill out the form found at the button below:
Our JFS Intake Coordinator will then contact you via phone or email to conduct a confidential interview to determine eligibility.