Grant Criteria for OFDR

Purpose: 

The purpose of disaster grants is to provide a small measure of immediate financial assistance to needy eligible beneficiaries, as defined in this section, who are victims of a disaster. A disaster is defined as a “sudden occurrence which inflicts extensive catastrophic damage.” Disasters can be both natural and caused by human conduct. Examples include but are not limited to: civil disorders (excluding acts of war), explosions, fires, tornadoes, earthquakes, floods, tidal waves, forest fires, hurricanes, and catastrophic infrastructure failures. 

Eligible Beneficiaries: 

Any optometrist or student who is a victim of a disaster may apply to Optometry’s Fund for Disaster Relief for a grant. Since the purpose of these grants is to give a measure of immediate or proximate assistance, all requests for such grants shall be made within 2 months of the occurrence of the disaster. 

Circumstances Determining Eligibility for Grants: 

Criteria for determining eligibility of disaster grants are listed below. Any application for a disaster grant that does not meet all of these criteria will be denied. 

1. The applicant must show that he or she suffered property damage (to their home or office) and/or incurred business expenses not already covered by insurance (not including loss of income) attributable to the disaster and as determined by the committee. 
2. A “disaster” must be determined by the Committee in accordance with the definition provided in the purpose section above. 
3. Applications that meet the above criteria will be awarded financial assistance at the discretion of the committee. 
               -AOA Members can be awarded up to $4000. 
               -Non-members can be awarded up to $1000. 
               -Students can be awarded up to $250.

Evaluation of Application and Procedures for Processing: 

1. The applicant should apply online at the appropriate application. 
   
   
   • General OFDR Application 
   • Change Healthcare OFDR Application 
2. Upon receiving the application from the applicant, Optometry Cares will send the application to the Optometry’s Fund for Disaster Relief Committee for review and notify your affiliate ED that you have applied for funding. 
3. Eligibility for grants is determined on a case-by-case basis after evaluating the applicant’s loss and his/her need. 

*Please note, that our fund is set up to expedite the doctor’s ability to provide critical patient care during times of disasters. We do not currently have the capacity to cover the loss of income. 

Terms of Grant: 
Grants for disaster assistance shall be offered only once per applicant per disaster as defined in these Rules.