JIRS: Modest Needs

Modest Needs

Modest Needs

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Phone #:(212) 463-7042
Phone #:
Phone #:
Phone #:
Phone #:
Fax Number: ;

Web Page: www.modestneeds.org/help/applications/
E-mail: questionsmodestneeds.org

Program/Service Notes:

Modest Needs exists

To prevent otherwise financially self-sufficient individuals and families from entering the cycle of poverty, when this might be avoided with a small amount of well-timed financial assistance;

To restore the financial self-sufficiency of individuals who are willing to work but are temporarily unable to do so because they do not have the means to remit payment for a work-related expense; and

To empower permanently disadvantaged individuals who otherwise live within their limited means to continue to live independently, despite a temporary, unexpected financial set-back.

In keeping with its mission, Modest Needs offers the following three types of grants

Self-Sufficiency Grants

Modest Needs makes Self-Sufficiency Grants by remitting payment to a creditor / for an expense on behalf of an otherwise self-sufficient individual or family for a relatively small, emergency expense which the individual or family could not have anticipated or prepared for. 

In making a Self-Sufficiency Grant, our goal is to prevent an otherwise self-sufficient individual or family from entering the cycle of poverty as a result of the financial burden posed by a relatively small emergency expense. 

For example, we might make a Self-Sufficiency Grant to cover the cost of an emergency auto repair that must be made if an individual is to continue working.

Back-to-Work Grants

Modest Needs makes Back-to-Work grants by remitting payment for a small work-related fee or expense on behalf of a temporarily unemployed individual.

In making a Back-to-Work grant, our goal is to provide a willing but temporarily unemployed individual with the means to return to work. 

For example, we might make a Back to Work grant to cover the cost of a professional license renewal for a temporarily displaced worker.

Independent Living Grants

Modest Needs makes Independent Living Grants by remitting payment to a creditor / for an expense on behalf of persons who are permanently unable to work but who nevertheless are living independently on the limited income to which they are entitled - their retirement income, or their permanent disability income, for example.

In making an Independent Living Grant, our goal is to empower financially responsible persons who cannot work to continue to live independently on their limited incomes, despite an unexpected expense which no conventional agency is prepared to address.

For example, they might make an Independent Living Grant to cover the cost of maintenance on a piece of accessibility equipment not covered by Medicaid, to cover an unexpectedly large prescription medication co-pay, or to assist with a large summer cooling bill.

Applying for help from the Modest Needs General Fund
To apply for assistance for a Self-Sufficiency, Back to Work or Independent Living Grant from Modest Needs Foundation's general fund, please follow the five easy steps below:

1. Add the domain 'modestneeds.org' to your approved or safe senders list. (You only need to do this once.)
When you add the domain modestneeds.org to your approved or safe senders list, you're telling your email program that messages sent to you from Modest Needs should NOT be treated as 'bulk mail' or 'spam.'

Taking this step ensures that Modest Needs will be able to contact you regarding the status of your application. If we can't contact you, we can't help you!

Need help adding 'modestneeds.org' to your safe senders list? Click the appropriate link below:

Using AOL? Click here for step-by-step instructions. 
Using Hotmail? Click here for step-by-step instructions. 
Using Yahoo? Click here for step-by-step instructions. 
Using Gmail? Click here for step-by-step instructions. 
Check your mail with Outlook Express? Click here for step-by-step instructions. 
If you check your email using a program not listed above, please consult your system's help file for instructions.

2. Register with Modest Needs. (You only need to do this once.)
In order to apply for help from Modest Needs, you must first register with us. You can access our secure registration form by following this link, or by selecting 'Free Registration' from the top menu.

As with all of our services, registration with Modest Needs is free, easy, and complete secure.

Immediately upon submission of your completed registration form, you'll receive an e-mail containing the password you need to login and apply for assistance from Modest Needs. If you do not receive your registration information within five minutes, you've skipped step one, above.

3. Learn how to write a successful application.
If you want YOUR application to stand out from the crowd, follow this link.

You'll be glad you did.

4. Gather your supporting documentation.
In order to complete our application for assistance, you'll need:

A copy of your driver's license or government issued photo ID; 
A copy of any recent utility bill in your name sent to your legal residence; 
A copy of any document showing the amount you pay monthly for your housing. If you rent, this means your current lease. If you own, this means a payment coupon from your mortgage lender; 
A copy of the most recent pay stub for every working member of your household; 
If you or any member of your family is receiving SSD/SSI, a copy of EACH determination letter from the SSA showing your monthly benefit amount; and 
A copy of the bill/invoice/estimate to substantiate the expense with which you plan to request Modest Needs' help. For example, if you plan to ask for help with a car repair, you need the estimate IN HAND before you complete an application for assistance. 
Please keep these documents handy. If your application clears pre-screening, you'll have three working days to fax these documents to us. Without them, your application cannot proceed to donor review, the final and most important phase of our evaluation process. 

If you have regular access to the Internet either from home or work, we highly recommend that you complete our secure, online application. This will enable us to help you more quickly.

If we have an open application slot, it should take you less than 15 minutes to accurately complete our application for assistance.

Program Details:

Hours: Mon-Fri, 9-5:30 EST

Person In Charge: :

Eligibility: Any one can apply

Fees: Accepts donations

Service Area: United States

Intake Process: Go to website

Operating Agency: Independent Organization (Not classified)

This information was last updated on 10/04/2006

This information is provided as is with no guarantee as to the accuracy of the information. Information is considered to be accurate as of the date of the last update, printed above. Jewish Information & Referral Service may not be held liable for misuse of this information.

Hours:	Mon-Fri, 9-5:30 EST
Person In Charge:	:
Eligibility:	Any one can apply
Fees:	Accepts donations
Service Area:	United States
Intake Process:	Go to website
Operating Agency:	Independent Organization (Not classified)

Jewish Information and Referral Service