Emergency Financial Assistance

For many low income individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS, a sudden illness or unexpected medical bill can be financially devastating. Golden Rainbow's Emergency Financial Assistance program assists with emergency short-term needs and limited assistance for eligible clients so that they may maintain an adequate living environment and continue medical care. 

Golden Rainbow provides low income clients emergency assistance in the form of payments for medications, rent, utilities, public transportation, medical co-payments, and other essential goods and services directly related to their medical condition and health.

Important Notable Mentions:

  • ANY ACTS OF CHECK FRAUD BY DEFACING, ALTERING, DEPOSITING INTO YOUR PERSONAL ACCOUNT AND/OR CASHING ATTEMPTS ARE GROUNDS FOR TERMINATION OF ASSISTANCE AND PUNISHABLE BY THE FULL EXTENT OF THE LAW. 

  • EFA requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the provider and are subject to availability of funds; all assistance is not guaranteed or granted.

  • If you have any termination notices, please do not call the office. Contact your Case Manager immediately to start the process for assistance.

  • We are a referral-based Organization; we cannot assist until a referral has been sent from your Case Manager.

  • Golden Rainbow does not have Case Managers on staff. 

  • All assistance is reviewed thoroughly and individually with the supported documentation. 

  • Golden Rainbow would never disclose your status nor your identity without your consent. This includes communication to anyone who hasn’t signed a release of information approved by the client. (Property owners, Managers, family members, strangers, etc.)

Timing of Assistance:

Referring Organization

  • The referring provider must ensure the specific purpose of the referral is clear. Incomplete or inappropriate referrals may be rejected. Internal referrals must be documented in CAREWare within 5 days of the client encounter. Any referrals documented in CAREWare more than 5 days from the client encounter must be pre-approved by the grantee office.

After Receiving the Referral from the referring Organization

  • All approved applications should be paid on the client’s behalf within ten business days and no payments will be made directly to a client for any reason.

Essential Utilities (Utility Assistance):

Required Documents

  • Must prove the inability to pay the bill (Must present documentation to show inability to pay)

  • Bill/Termination Notice

  • Person or a member of the resident household must present evidence that he/she is named on the utility bill

  • **Prior to submitting a referral, the referring Provider shall assist the client in seeking at least two (2) alternate funding sources (denials), outside the Ryan White Continuum of care 

  • Individualized Housing Plan

Essential Housing (Rental Assistance):

Required Documents

  • Must prove the inability to pay the bill (must present documentation to show inability to pay)

  • Bill/Eviction Notice/Ledger

  • Person or a member of the resident household must present evidence that he/she is named on the lease agreement or mortgage. (No subleases)

  • **Prior to submitting a referral, the referring Provider shall assist the client in seeking at least two (2) alternate funding sources (denials), outside the Ryan White Continuum of care 

  • Individualized Housing Plan

Permanent Housing Placement (Move-in Assistance):

Required Documents

  • Must prove the inability to pay the bill (must present documentation to show inability to pay)

  • Move-in Reservation Sheet or Lease (signed and dated by respective parties)

  • Proof of Income - All household income of persons living in the unit.  

  • Individualized Housing Plan

Supportive Services:

Type of Assistance

  • Legal Services

    • Identification Cards, Birth Certificates, other legal credentials 

      • Identification Cards, Birth Certificates, other legal credentials

  • Employment Services (Work Cards)

    • Food Handler, TAM, other training/credentials

Required Documents

  • Proof of Income – All household income (spouse, kin, etc)

  • Individualized Housing Plan 

  • Documented cost of service

All persons seeking to obtain these services through Golden Rainbow must qualify as low-income (0-80% of area median income and/or household income not to exceed 400% of the Federal Poverty level) and must be pre-screened by a case manager from one of our partner agencies.

REFERENCE LINKS FOR INCOME QUALIFICATIONS: