COVID-19 Disaster relief grant program for veterinarians

The COVID-19 Disaster Relief Grant Program for Veterinarians, sponsored jointly by the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) and VCA Animal Hospitals, has been created to assist veterinarians who have experienced significant financial hardship due to COVID-19.

Purpose:

The program is intended to help AVMA-member veterinarians who have been affected by COVID-19-related job loss or illness (i.e., inability to work) by providing a $500 grant to serve as emergency relief and to help pay for basic necessities (e.g., food, clothing, housing costs, and medical care not covered by medical insurance).

The AVMF does not provide financial assistance for the repair or replacement of a personal dwelling, nor other items that would normally be covered under an individual’s homeowners or renter’s insurance policy.

Grant amount:

$500 will be issued per grantee for out-of-pocket expenses incurred to obtain basic necessities (e.g., food, clothing, housing, and medical care not covered by medical insurance). Those receiving grants will have experienced significant financial hardship as a result of COVID-19, such as job loss or inability to work due to illness.

Limited funds are available and will be approved on a first-come, first-served basis for applications that meet eligibility criteria.

Criteria for Eligibility:

1. Must be a current AVMA member located in the U.S., including Puerto Rico and territories.
2. Must be able to demonstrate that significant financial hardship has been incurred as a result of COVID-19. Such financial hardship will have led to difficulties in being able to purchase basic necessities (e.g., food, clothing, housing, and medical expenses not covered by medical insurance).
3. Only one application may be submitted per applicant. If multiple applicants within the same hospital have been impacted by the disaster, each must submit a separate application.

Current officers, directors, and employees of the AVMF or AVMA, and their spouses, dependent children and parents are not eligible to apply for or receive disaster grants under this program.

Application Procedure:

The application form must be completed in its entirety and submitted online.

Checks will be payable to the individual named in your application that meets the criteria.

Application Approval:

COVID-19 Disaster Relief Grant applications received by the AVMF will be reviewed and the applicant will be notified within 10 days of application.

The final decision regarding the number, timing, and amount of grants awarded under this program is solely within the discretion of the AVMF Board of Directors. 

Deadline:

Applications must be received no later than 2 months after restrictions due to COVID-19 have been lifted.