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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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 10^th 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).

“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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