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Programs + Services

Program Eligibility and Services
To become eligible for AFA services, clients
must be living at or below the poverty line and be diagnosed HIV+
and disabled. Eligibility for programs is determined by the
applicant's ability to demonstrate personal financial need. Clients
receiving AFA services are physically, socially and financially
unprotected and represent disabled individuals who are most "at
risk" of falling through the governmental infrastructure safety net.
The cornerstone of the AFA
social services model is to "bridge the gap" in economic changes
resulting from a diagnosis of HIV/AIDS and the receipt of long-term
governmental financial benefits and entitlements. All AFA programs
are designed to be short-term and supplemental.
AFA services include: paying
for housing expenses; paying monthly utility costs; paying for
dietary supplements; paying for monthly bus passes; paying for
home-delivered fresh groceries, and providing Housing Case
Management services.
The agency's mission is to
help prevent homelessness and hunger by promoting self-sufficiency
and independence for persons living with HIV/AIDS. The services are
designed to empower clients so they can achieve and maintain a
positive quality of life.
To apply for
program participation, please call 323-656-1107 to schedule an
appointment with a Housing Case Manager between the hours of 10 AM
and 4 PM, Monday - Friday. The AFA offices are located at 8235 Santa
Monica Boulevard, Suite 200, West Hollywood, CA 90046.
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 Client Services and
Program Descriptions
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Housing Assistance
Programs
AFA
Short-Term Emergency Housing Assistance Program: This is a “needs-based” financial
assistance program to provide short-term supplemental assistance to
encourage self-sufficiency and maintain independent living. The
funds distributed are paid by AFA directly to landlords, mortgage
lenders, and utility companies.
Service Provided: Financial
assistance is available up to two times per year for rent and/or
utility costs.
HOPWA-STRMU Program:
This is a “needs-based” financial
assistance program to pay monthly housing and utility costs to
provide short-term economic assistance to prevent homelessness. The
funds distributed are paid by AFA directly to landlords, mortgage
lenders, and utility companies.
Service Provided: Financial
assistance for rent/mortgage and/or utility costs is available up to
21 weeks within a 52 week period.
Entertainment Industry Programs
Marc Berman Financial Assistance
Program Sponsored by Entertainment AIDS Alliance (EEA) (Formerly
known as the Video Industry AIDS Action Committee – VIAAC): This is a financial assistance program
specifically for eligible members of the Entertainment AIDS Alliance
(EAA) to provide short-term economic assistance. The funds
distributed are administered by AFA and paid directly to landlords,
mortgage lenders, and utility companies.
Service Provided: Financial
assistance is available up to $1000 per year for rent/mortgage,
utilities, health insurance premiums, and to purchase pre-approved
medications.
Frank Nelson Memorial Fund for The
American Federation of Television and Radio Artist (AFTRA): This is a financial assistance program
specifically for eligible members of the American Federation of
Television and Radio Artists Union (AFTRA) designed to provide
short-term economic assistance. The funds distributed are
administered by AFA and paid directly to landlords, mortgage
lenders, and utility companies.
Service Provided: Financial
assistance is available up to $1000 per year for rent/mortgage,
utilities, health insurance premiums, and to purchase pre-approved
medications.
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West Hollywood Assistance:
This is a financial assistance program
for residents of West Hollywood to provide short-term economic
assistance and pre-approved vitamins and dietary/nutritional
supplements. The funds
distributed are administered by AFA and paid directly to landlords,
mortgage lenders, utility companies, and participating pharmacies.
Services Provided: Financial
assistance is available up to two times per year for rent/mortgage
and utilities; nutritional and dietary supplements are available for
twelve months; bus passes are available monthly; and home-delivered
groceries are available in six-month intervals.
Wellness Pharmacy Program:
This is a “needs based” financial
assistance program to provide pre-approved medications, vitamins,
minerals, and dietary supplements that can help offset side effects
from certain medications and enhance the client’s overall health
regime and are not covered by public and private insurance
carriers. The cost of the supplements is paid by AFA directly to
participating pharmacies across Los Angeles County.
Service Provided: Vitamins and
dietary/nutritional supplements are provided monthly for
twelve-consecutive months (clients are approved for six month
intervals).
Transportation Program:
This is a “needs based” financial
assistance program to provide monthly access to public
transportation via a monthly bus, encouraging independence in travel
and promoting self-sufficiency.
Service Provided: Bus passes are
provided monthly for twelve-consecutive months.
“Keep It Fresh” Food Program:
This is a “needs based” financial
assistance program to provide home-delivered fresh groceries that
supplement the client’s monthly food purchases and to encourage
healthy eating habits and good nutrition. The cost of the groceries
is paid by AFA directly to the grocery market.
Service Provided: Home-delivered
groceries are provided monthly for six-consecutive months.
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Are You Eligible ? - AFA Client Guidelines
For more information
or an appointment call (323) 656-1107
Program Guidelines:
Aid For
AIDS (AFA) is a non-profit community-based organization that helps
eligible individuals and families pay for the necessities of life:
housing, utilities, transportation, nutritional supplements, and
home delivered food. Assistance is intended as limited help to
supplement existing income or providing short-term emergency
financial assistance pending receipt of government benefits. Grants
are determined on financial need. Due to the demand for services,
all grants are subject to the availability of funding and these
guidelines are subject to change without notice.
Note: AFA
will only issue checks to vendors, such as owners of rental
property, utility companies, etc.
Summary of Services:
Aid For AIDS Housing Assistance Program
This program provides grants for rent and mortgage for clients who
have recently applied for government benefits. May be eligible to
apply for up to three consecutive grants.
Eligibility:
1) Disabled
by HIV (or HIV symptomatic if you are pending a disability income). 2) Recently
applied and pending government benefits (i.e. SSI, SSDI, SDI, etc.). 3) Proof
that government benefits are currently pending. 4) If
receiving income, no more than $876 per month for individual ($1500
per month for Family Unit) and must show a need. 5) Living
in Los Angeles County (excluding the city of West Hollywood,
residents of West Hollywood see below).
Housing
Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA) Short Term Rent,
Mortgage, and Utility Assistance (STRMU) & Permanent Housing
Placement Grant.
This program provides
grants for rent, mortgage and utilities (gas, water and electricity)
or to assist with some move-in expenses for permanent housing
placement. Call for details and to make an appointment. Eligibility:
1) AIDS,
Symptomatic HIV or diagnosed HIV+ with an unrelated disability. 2) Income
of no more than $2,158 per month for a single individual (Family
Units amounts may vary). 3) Living
in Los Angeles County. 4) Rental
assistance is not available for subsidized housing, sober living,
transitional living, or assisted living. Move-in grants are
available to eligible individuals moving into subsidized housing.
West Hollywood Housing Assistance
Program
This program provides grants for
rent, mortgage and utilities (gas, water and electricity). You may
apply for up to two grants per year. Through
the generous support of the City of West Hollywood,
residents of West Hollywood may apply for up to 4 grants in
their first year and 2 annual grants thereafter. Eligibility:
1) Disabled
by HIV (or HIV symptomatic if you are receiving a disability income).
2) Income
of no more than $2,158 per month. 3) Must
be a resident of West Hollywood.
Berman Fund Financial Assistance Program (Entertainment AIDS
Alliance (EAA), formerly known as VIAAC)
This
program provides up to $1000 per year for rent, mortgage, health
insurance and utility (gas, water, and electricity) assistance for
persons who have worked in the video industry.
Eligibility:
1) HIV
+ 2) Income
of no more than $1500 per month for individual or $3000 per month
for Family Units. 3) Living
in the United States. 4) Proof
of current or former employment in the video industry in any
capacity, in any function, from such companies; Studios, Production
Companies, Duplicators, DVD pressers, Advertising, Marketing,
Printers, Packaging suppliers, Fulfillment companies, or other
video related suppliers and vendors.
Actors are not
eligible.
(Proof: W2’s, letter from a previous employer, etc.).
5) Assistance
is not available for persons living in subsidized housing (i.e.,
Low-income, section-8, etc.). In
addition, assistance with up to $800/month for protease inhibitors (AFA
is payer of last resort). Please call for eligibility.
Frank Nelson
Memorial Fund for the American Federation of Television & Radio
Artists (AFTRA)
This program provides up to
$1000 per year for rent, mortgage, health insurance payments or
utility (gas, water, and electricity) assistance for members
belonging The American Federation of Television and Radio Artist
union.
Eligibility:
1) Disabled
by HIV (or HIV symptomatic if you are receiving a disability income).
2) Income
of no more than $1646 per month for individual. 3) Western
part of the United States. 4) Proof
of AFTRA membership (past or present)
Aid For AIDS Utility Assistance
Program
This
program provides emergency and non-emergency utility (gas, water, &
electric) assistance up to four times a year. Eligibility:
1)
Disabled
by HIV (or HIV symptomatic if you are receiving a disability income).
2)
Income
of no more than $1295 per month for individual (or $1500 per month
for Family Units). 3) Living in Los Angeles County.Keep It Fresh Food Program
This
program provides fresh food delivered direct to the client’s home,
free of charge for a six month period. Eligible clients may
receive up to $60 of groceries (Family units may vary).
Eligibility: 1) Disabled
by HIV (or HIV symptomatic if you are receiving a disability income)
2) Income
of no more than $2,158 per month for a single individual (Family
units may be slightly higher).
3) Living
in Los Angeles County. 4) Cannot
already be receiving a delivery meal program.
Transportation/Bus Pass
Program
This
program provides eligible clients with a monthly MTA bus pass at no
cost. This is an ongoing program; a bus pass may be obtained at the
AFA office from the last day of the month through the 10th
of the following month. Supply is limited.
Eligibility:
1) HIV+
2) Income
of no more than $2,158 per month for individual. 3) Living
in Los Angeles County. 4) Possession
of a valid MTA disabled ID card (you must present this card each
time you request a monthly pass).
The Wellness Pharmacy Program
This
program provides nutritional supplements for a six month period.
Eligible clients may receive up to $60 of approved nutritional
supplements
from selected pharmacies.
Eligibility:
1) Disabled
by HIV (or HIV symptomatic if you are receiving a disability income).
2) Income
of no more than $876 per month for individual ($2,158 per month for
a West Hollywood resident).
3) Living in Los Angeles County.
Basic Documentation
Requirements:
§
Diagnosis form (Dated within 2
years, original only) §
Lease/rental agreement or mortgage statement.
§
AFA Application (Original, no copies) §
Utility bills, if applying for assistance (current)
§
Proof of residency (Dated within 3
months) §
Photo identification
§
Income documentation (Dated within 3 months)
§
Additional documentation may be required
Download the Application Online
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“KEEP IT FRESH”- Unique Program
Launched
Operating in these uncertain
economic times, Aid For AIDS must be innovative and creative or risk
becoming irrelevant. Services that were once considered essential
are losing funding, and the changing needs within our communities
require us to quickly adapt our services to current needs, often
without government assistance. With these challenges in mind, I am
pleased to announce a revolutionary, food pantry program designed
for disabled persons with HIV/AIDS who use public transportation.
Because our clients are disabled, many of them are unable to get to
local food banks. For those who are able to get to the food bank,
relying on the public transportation system requires them to carry
their food items from the bus stop to their homes, which for many of
them is not physically possible. Therefore, in collaboration with
Albertsons, Inc. our groundbreaking "Keep It Fresh" food program
provides for the home delivery of fresh food, chosen by the client,
free of charge. The cost of the food is covered by agency
fundraising efforts, including private and public grants.
Albertsons, Inc. will underwrite the costs of transporting fresh
fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, bread, water and various items not
available through food banks to eligible clients every other week
throughout all of Los Angeles County, including those areas without
sufficient food pantry resources. The "virtual" pantry, with the
help of Albertsons, Inc. and their easy-to-use Internet-based
ordering system, allows the service to exist without space costs,
spoilage expense, and hired staff to purchase and manage inventory.
So as not to duplicate service with other food programs, homebound
clients who cannot cook for themselves and already receive support
from a "meals on wheels" program will not be eligible for this
service.
Better, cheaper, faster - this is the reality of conducting
business, even for non-profits. And with your support, we will
continue our mission of providing essential financial assistance and
supportive services to poverty-stricken persons disabled by HIV/AIDS
and their families until there is a cure.
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