The Cracker Barrel Cares Program is dedicated to offering vital financial assistance to its employees during times of significant hardship. This program extends a helping hand to eligible employees of Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. (“CBOCS”) and its affiliated companies, providing grants to those facing qualifying life events. To be eligible, employees must be active, working in either a full-time or part-time capacity, or on an approved leave of absence both when the qualifying event occurs and when the grant funds are disbursed.
Understanding Qualifying Events for Cracker Barrel Cares Assistance
The Cracker Barrel Cares Program recognizes that unforeseen circumstances can create financial strain. It provides support for employees experiencing a range of critical situations, including:
- Critical Health Conditions: Facing a serious health issue, whether it’s the employee’s own condition or that of an immediate family member, can lead to unexpected costs. The program offers assistance during these challenging times.
- Loss of Life: The death of an employee or an immediate family member is a deeply difficult experience. Cracker Barrel Cares aims to provide some financial relief during these periods of bereavement.
- Disasters and Residential Damage: Employees impacted by federally declared natural or catastrophic disasters, or residential events like house or apartment fires, can receive support to help manage the fallout.
- Intimate Partner Violence: Recognizing the sensitive nature of domestic situations, the program provides assistance to employees experiencing intimate partner violence.
Cracker Barrel Cares Grant Eligibility and Key Details
To determine if you are eligible for a Cracker Barrel Cares grant, consider the following criteria:
- Active Employment: Eligibility is contingent upon being an active employee or on approved leave at the time of the qualifying event.
- Application Timeline: Applications must be submitted online within 60 days of the qualifying event to be considered.
- Grant Frequency: Eligible employees can receive a grant once within any six-month period, allowing for support during different qualifying events, should they occur.
- Grant Amount: Employees can apply for grants up to $2,500 per qualifying event, with a lifetime maximum of $5,000. This provides substantial aid while ensuring program sustainability.
- Scope of Coverage: It’s important to note that the program is designed for specific qualifying events and does not cover situations like homelessness, eviction, loss of wages, or food insecurity directly. Furthermore, the program is not intended for pre-surgery or pre-procedure assistance; applications are best submitted post-procedure.
- Income and Reimbursement Considerations: Grant eligibility may be affected if the employee is receiving income or insurance reimbursements from other sources such as workers’ compensation, homeowners/renters insurance, or life insurance.
- Medical Expense Limitations: The program does not cover medical premiums, co-payments, deductibles, or general medical bills. Assistance is targeted towards acute financial needs arising from qualifying events, rather than routine medical expenses.
- Bill Responsibility: To ensure appropriate use of funds, the employee’s or employee’s spouse’s name must be listed as the responsible party on any bills related to the qualifying event.
- Grant Disbursement: If a grant is approved, the employee must still be employed when the funds are disbursed. Funds are conveniently distributed electronically via PayPal, ensuring swift access to assistance.
For a comprehensive understanding of all details, restrictions, and program guidelines, please refer to the Cracker Barrel Cares Policy and Procedures Document.
Applying for Cracker Barrel Cares: How to Get Started
Cracker Barrel has streamlined the application process to make it as accessible as possible for employees in need.
To apply for the Cracker Barrel Cares Program, please use the following link:
www.crackerbarrel.com/crackerbarrelcares
For direct access to the application portal, you can use this link:
https://apply.yourcausegrants.com/apply/programs/8caf552a-6e69-4374-a985-fe747348c98a
Need Application Assistance?
For help navigating the application process, GrantsConnect (YourCause) provides a dedicated help center:
https://webfiles-sc1.blackbaud.com/files/support/helpfiles/grantsconnect/content/gc-applicants.html
Contact Cracker Barrel Cares Support
If you encounter technical issues during your application, please email: [email protected].
For any questions regarding the Cracker Barrel Cares Program itself, you can reach out via email at [email protected] or by phone at (615) 443-9807.
Cracker Barrel is committed to supporting its employees through challenging times. The Cracker Barrel Cares Program is a testament to this commitment, providing a valuable resource for employees facing unexpected hardships.
