The US Retail Share Fund offers relief to associates experiencing severe financial hardship due to circumstances beyond their control. Follow these steps to apply for the USR Share Fund.
Review all Qualifying Events and the
Direct Grant Application Prep Pack (pdf).
Click on qualifying events below to review details.
Gather all supporting documentation you need for your application.
To ensure prompt processing of a Share Fund grant, please gather the appropriate documents before submitting your application. The Share Fund is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that has strict government requirements that requires written documentation as proof of the qualifying event.
-
The application is not complete until we have received ALL relevant supporting documentation.
- a. Past due mortgage statement.
- b. Past due rent letter from landlord or eviction notice.
- c. Past due basic utilities (electric, gas, water/sewer and garbage).
1. Copies of bills for which associate is seeking assistance, for instance:
-
2. Proof of qualifying event causing the financial need, for instance:
- a. Doctor’s Note / Leave documentation.
- b. Fire/police report.
- c. Layoff/separation notice.
ORIGINAL documents must be provided wherever available.
NOTE: The Share Fund does not cover car repair, replacement, insurance or car loan, phone, Internet, cable, credit card bills, daycare, student loans, tuition, deductibles, medical expenses, or insurance bills.
Other documentation may be required to complete the application. This list is in no way a comprehensive list of documents required.
Every request submitted by US Retail associates is reviewed.
Submit your application online.
The USR Share Fund team will be in touch if additional documentation is needed and to notify you about the status of your application.
To assist associates or immediate family member (spouse/domestic partner or dependents ONLY) who have encountered financial hardships for reasons beyond their control (illness, injury) with household expenses or travel expenses to appointments.
Travel expenses to attend appointments
Past due rent or mortgage
Past due basic utilities
Note: Share Fund does not provide funding for medical bills.
PLEASE NOTE the US Retail Share Fund DOES NOT require details on diagnosis. We simply need to know the associate is unable to work during a particular time frame as a result of their doctor's instruction.
- Medical leave documentation or FMLA1 form (if applicable)
- Doctor’s note documenting dates associate was not able to work
- Itemized medical bill statement to prove illness/injury occurred
- Documentation of time off from work due to medical reasons
- Travel receipts to attend appointments
Available to assist those who have incurred the loss of an associate or immediate family member (spouse/domestic partner, parent or dependents ONLY) if the associate is financially responsible for arrangements. An associate's spouse/domestic partner may apply for assistance in the event of an associate's death.
Essential funeral expenses for deceased family member
Travel expenses to attend the funeral or to make funeral arrangements
Past due rent or mortgage
Past due basic utilities
- Itemized funeral invoice or estimate
- Proof of the death of relative (death certificate or obituary)
- Transportation receipts showing cost and date of travel to funeral or travel to make arrangements
- Copy of past due bills
Available to associates whose primary residence is severely damaged, destroyed, or rendered unlivable by a localized natural disaster (fire, flood, tornado, mudslide, storm, etc.), federal/state-declared natural disaster or terrorist attack, or an associate displaced from home and forced to pay for alternative housing.
Uninsured/underinsured needed repairs to primary residence
Security deposit to move into a new residence
Emergency housing (if needed)
Necessary items lost due to event
Food
Past due rent or mortgage
Past due basic utilities
- Copies of bills for which associate is seeking assistance
- Proof of qualifying event causing the financial need
Loss of a spouse’s job or associate’s second job due to layoff or company closure within the past six months. Staples jobs excluded.
Past due rent or mortgage
Past due basic utilities
- Copy of the termination letter with date and reason of termination or paperwork from unemployment office showing date and reason of separation
- Copy of past due bills
Available for associates in need of new housing due to either their place of residence being condemned or deemed uninhabitable due to unsafe living conditions, or unforeseen sale/foreclosure of a home rented from a private landlord that sees the associate forced to find new accommodation with less than 30 days’ notice. (Foreclosure of a home owned by an associate DOES NOT fit this circumstance.)
Please note, unfortunately the Share Fund is unable to assist with evictions which are a result of being behind or unable to pay rent without a qualifying event, such as injury/illness or those listed above.
Security deposit to move into a new residence
Past due rent or mortgage
Past due basic utilities
Note: Associates requesting assistance as a result of the sale or foreclosure on their rented residence are required to submit proof of the sale or foreclosure including:
- Inspection report or other documentation showing how the home is uninhabitable
- Foreclosure notice from the landlord or owner of the rented property
- Documentation showing the property is for sale
- Current lease or proof of address
- Copy of eviction notice
- Copy of new lease or rental agreement including dates and rent/security deposit amounts
Available to associates in an unsafe home environment and in need of new housing.
Back to topSecurity deposit to move into new residence
Temporary housing if needed
- Police report or restraining order documenting the abuse
- Copy of past due bills
- Copy of new lease/rental agreement or temporary housing statement
Available to associates, their immediate family members, or a spouse/domestic partner who has encountered financial hardships after being deployed.
Rent or mortgage
Other bills where assistance is needed
- Copy of deployment orders
- Copy of basic utility bills
- Copy of rent/mortgage statement
A free confidential tool to help you overcome life challenges and live a happy, balanced life.
Learn more
