REMINDER: Family Crisis Connection Helps Employees with Financial Emergencies

Do you know that employees of Methodist Hospital, Methodist Women’s Hospital, Methodist Physicians Clinic, MHS Corporate, Nebraska Methodist College and Shared Service Systems may qualify for financial help in an emergency through the Family Crisis Connection? And that employees provide the financial support that makes the Family Crisis Connection possible?

Frequently Asked Questions

Q:        What is the Family Crisis Connection (FCC)?

A:         Family Crisis Connection is a program funded by Methodist Hospital Foundation that helps employees of Methodist Hospital, Methodist Women’s Hospital, Methodist Physicians Clinic, MHS Corporate, Nebraska Methodist College and Shared Service Systems in times of financial emergency.  Financial assistance is provided in an effort to ease the stress of an unfortunate situation. 

Q:        How do I get help through the Family Crisis Connection?

A:         The first step in requesting assistance from the Family Crisis Connection is to contact one of the FCC Representatives identified below.  For your convenience, there are representatives for each affiliate.  However, you may contact any representative on the list.

Q:        Who decides if an employee receives the Family Crisis Connection assistance?

A:         Employees discuss their needs with a FCC Representative who makes the ultimate decision to request financial assistance from the Foundation.  If the need is genuine, the FCC Representative will work with Methodist Hospital Foundation on behalf of the employee.  

Q:        Are all employees eligible for assistance through the Family Crisis Connection?

A:         Employees who have worked for Methodist Hospital, Methodist Women’s Hospital, Methodist Physicians Clinic, MHS Corporate, Nebraska Methodist College or Shared Service Systems for at least six months are eligible for assistance. Employees working for less than six months will be directed to Best Care EAP for professional guidance.

Q:        What kind of assistance is available?

A:         The financial assistance provided through the Family Crisis Connection is limited to $750.00.  Employees never receive cash.  Bills or invoices are submitted to the FCC Representative who will forward them to Methodist Hospital Foundation to be paid on behalf of the employee.

Q:        Can an employee be helped more than one time?

A:         If it has been at least three years since an employee has received financial assistance from the Foundation, they may contact a FCC Representative for consideration of current, urgent needs.  Employees can contact Best Care EAP for professional guidance at any time.

Q:        Can employees offer contributions to benefit the Family Crisis Connection?

A:         Yes! Methodist Hospital Foundation is proud to accept employee contributions designated to benefit the Family Crisis Connection.  Gifts from employees provide the financial support that makes the Family Crisis Connection possible. During the Caring Campaign led by Methodist Hospital Foundation, employees are welcome to offer an ongoing payroll deduction pledge, a one-time payroll deduction, cash or paid-time-off (PTO) hours that are converted to cash.  See below for the PTO conversion information.  One hundred percent of the gift will benefit the Family Crisis Connection.

Q:        How does a gift of paid-time-off (PTO) work?

A:         PTO hours are converted to cash, taxes are subtracted and the balance is a gift to benefit the Family Crisis Connection. It is important to remember that PTO hours are taxed at approximately 38 percent, so the remaining balance that can be applied as a gift to the Family Crisis Connection is less than the employee’s hourly wage.  However, donating PTOs has proven to be a very popular way for employees to make a gift.  PTO hours are NOT transferable directly between employees.

Q:        What is a Family Crisis Connection Special Funded Effort?

A:         A Family Crisis Special Funded Effort (SFE) is an opportunity for employees to rally around a co-worker by offering gifts that will assist one particular employee in need. The first step in beginning a Special Funded Effort is for the employee in need to visit with a FCC Representative.  If the FCC Representative believes that a SFE would be helpful, then he/she will take the steps to begin the gift collection process with the employee’s co-workers in a particular department/affiliate. The FCC Representative will coordinate the SFE with the employee’s supervisor.  All gifts made to the SFE will be collected by the employee’s supervisor. The supervisor will stay in touch with the FCC Representative during the SFE. The FCC Representative will be responsible for submitting all gifts to the Foundation. The FCC Representative will communicate with the Foundation on behalf of the employee and will let the employee know the balance in their SFE account so they can submit bills to be paid. The individual amounts given and the names of employees who contribute are kept confidential. The employee in need is encouraged to utilize all of the dollars generated on their behalf within one year of initiating the SFE.

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For a 2-page pdf version of these FAQs, click here.