General Provisions and Application Requirements

(1) Applications for assistance from the Fund shall be made on forms provided by the Board. (2) In addition to demonstrating the eligibility requirements listed in 529 CMR 2.03, applicants must provide: (a) Fighter’s license number issued by the Commission; (b) Social Security Number; (c) A government issued identification bearing the applicant's photograph. (3) Applications must include written documentation demonstrating that the applicant has either suffered injury (e.g.- medical records or letter from licensed treating physician), or that application is being made on behalf of a deceased individual for payment of funeral expenses. (4) Applications must include written documentation demonstrating the applicant’s financial hardship. Financial hardship may be demonstrated by submitting such documentation as bank statements, bills, letters, medical records, and tax returns, as well as by oral testimony of the applicant or witnesses. (5) No funds will be disbursed directly to an applicant unless the applicant can provide satisfactory proof that reimbursement is appropriate. Reimbursement is appropriate only when an applicant has made payments for which the Board would have authorized assistance and the payment of those bills has caused financial hardship. Otherwise, all monies awarded shall be paid by the Board on behalf of the applicant towards the payment of outstanding balances, anticipated utility bills, application fees, tuition payments, rent/mortgage payments, loan payments, funeral expenses, and other similar obligations. Luxury expenses will not be considered. Applications must include written documentation identifying where the applicant would like any awarded monies to be disbursed. All disbursements will be made at the direction of the Board. (6) Before making any disbursements the Board may, when deemed appropriate, require an applicant to provide proof of their identity in addition to that required under 529 CMR 2.04(b). (7) Applicants must provide any requested documentation and cooperate in any investigation deemed necessary by the Board in conjunction of its review of a submitted application. Failure to cooperate with the Board shall be grounds for denial of an application. (8) An application may be denied by the Board for failure of the applicant to produce satisfactory proof of all eligibility requirements or to provide all information required in accordance with 529 CMR 2.03 and 2.04. (9) An applicant's event history will be confirmed by any means the Board deems reasonable and may depend on the sources available.