Q: Am I eligible for assistance from The Clara Abbott Foundation?
A: The following criteria must be met in order to qualify for monetary assistance:
- Current employee of Abbott with at least one year of service (or one year from date of Abbott acquisition) and eligible for employee benefits.
- Retiree of Abbott
- Spouse of deceased employee/retiree (until remarried)
- Dependent child of deceased employee/retiree until age 23 for students, age 19 otherwise. Special needs children will not lose eligibility based on age
- Employee who is under an Abbott-sponsored disability program
- Applicants must be enrolled in a health plan if applying for medical assistance
Q: How serious does my financial situation have to be to receive assistance?
A: Assistance is based on financial hardship and is provided as a last resource. The Foundation’s definition of financial hardship is any situation that threatens the family’s ability to provide basic living needs. For example, The Foundation may provide financial assistance for expenses due to natural disaster, major health problems of a family member, special needs children and loss of income.
Q: Is the application process confidential?
A: Information provided to The Foundation is kept confidential except when required by law, or when The Clara Abbott Foundation suspects or determines that fraud, deceit or concealment have occurred. Otherwise, Foundation cases are not shared with your manager and they are not part of Abbott records or personnel files.
Q: After the application has been completed, how long does it take to get a decision?
A: It usually takes four to six weeks to get an answer if an employee submits all requested information to The Foundation. If an employee delays providing the requested information, it may take several weeks longer. In an emergency (abuse, funeral, and natural disaster) help can be provided sooner.
Q: My request for assistance was denied. Is there any way to have my case reviewed and get the decision changed?
A: Yes. Appeals will be considered if the facts have changed from the original application or if new factual information is provided to The Clara Abbott Foundation. Put your appeal in writing and present it to your local Human Resources representative. Provide your Human Resources representative with any new documentation. The Human Resources representative will forward your information to The Foundation for review.
Q: What type of assistance is provided for funeral expenses?
A: Employees may apply for assistance with funeral expenses of his/her spouse, dependent children and parents.
Q: What is the maximum age for a dependent child under the eligibility guidelines?
A: The maximum age of a dependent child is 19 if not a full-time student and 23 if a full- time student. There is no maximum age for a special-needs child.
Q: What are the eligibility requirements for retired employees?
A: An employee who is defined by Abbott Human Resources as a retiree:
- 50 to 60 years of age plus a minimum of 10 years of service
- 61 years of age plus a minimum of 9 years of service
- 62 years of age plus a minimum of 8 years of service
- 63 years of age plus a minimum of 7 years of service
- 64 years of age plus a minimum of 6 years of service
- 65 years of age plus a minimum of 5 years of service