Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is KCHOPE?

KCHOPE is “King County - Helping Our People in Emergencies”.

KCHOPE is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization and isself-supporting,fully staffed by volunteers,and funded by contributing employees, individuals and organizations.

Are donations tax-deductible?

Yes! KCHOPE gratefully accepts donations of any amount from you and those interested in supporting our cause.

Is KCHOPE part of the King County?

No. KCHOPE is a separate non-profit charitable organization that is administered and run by a volunteer board of directors who are King County employees.

If I receive assistance from KCHOPE, do I have to return the funds?

No. Our hope is that you will support KCHOPE by making a donation to help a fellow employee in their time of need, but there is no obligation to pay back.

Is the assistance I receive from KCHOPE taxable?

Yes. Per IRS rules, the money you receive from KCHOPE must be considered income for tax purposes and must be declared as such.

What is the purpose of the KCHOPE Fund?

The KCHOPE Fund is for use by King County regular employees with one major purpose: To provide employees with funds to help them get through an EMERGENCY that causes financial stress or crisis. The KCHOPE Fund Committee will only consider emergency situations and award decisions will be made based on funding availability. The Fund is designed to provide emergency grants of money to pay for services for qualifying employees. Loans to employees are not available at any time.

What is the definition of an emergency?

Please note that KCHOPE will not fund requests that are results of ongoing financial difficulties that are not a result of an emergency.

For the KCHOPE Fund, an emergency is defined as a sudden, catastrophic and unexpected event, the occurrence of which was totally unforeseen by the employee. Examples of emergencies that would likely be funded include: fire, accident, death in family, etc.

Need may also be determined by undue hardship, which is defined as circumstances, not deliberately caused by the employee, and of such magnitude or severity that it is unlikely that the employee has sufficient resources to reasonably expect a favorable outcome. Examples of undue hardship include: a delay in receiving disability insurance, a domestic violence situation, the cessation of child support, or a prolonged illness.

What are allowable uses of the KCHOPE Fund?

Financial assistance may be applied to but are not limited to:

  • Loss or need of shelter.
  • Medical costs that are excluded from regular insurance policies.
  • Emergencies which cause loss of pay.
  • Other severe hardship, at the discretion of the KCHOPE Funding Committee.

Who is eligible to apply for funding?

  • Persons eligible for aid are regular employees.
  • Regular employees must be employed for at least 12-months before making requests for grants/funding.
  • The spouse, partner, child, and/or parents of the regular employee are the only immediate family members who are eligible for KCHOPE assistance. Other family members are ineligible.
  • Temporary and/or retired King County employees are ineligible.
  • At this time, KCHOPE will not solicit funds for any specific individual. Donations made will go to the general pool of funding available for all King County employees.

What are the financial limits?

  • Maximum amount award per lifetime per employee is $3,000.
  • Decisions are dependent upon sufficient availability of funds.

How do I apply for assistance?

Requesting emergency assistance from the KCHOPE FUND is simple. Obtain a completely confidential application for assistance from our website request an application via email at .

An employee or employee's relative must complete the application form and submit to KCHOPE. The form must include an original signature. All requests are confidential.

How will I receive the funds?

  • KCHOPE pays funds directly to billing agents. Copies of invoices/statements should be submitted with your application. For instance, if you are asking for assistance with a rent or mortgage payment, please be sure to include a copy of your rental agreement, eviction notice, mortgage statement, or other documentation as applicable.
  • Funding, by IRS requirements, is treated as taxable income.
  • In the event the employee has paid a bill and is asking for reimbursement, sufficient documentation must be provided at the time of the application proving payment (invoices marked paid, etc.). In this case, the employee will be the recipient of the funds. This will be a requirement for KCHOPE to maintain its 501(c)(3) non-profit status by the IRS. Again, funding received must be treated as taxable income.

How are requests reviewed?

All requests will be reviewed on the availability of funds and a case-by-case and need basis. A request for funds does not guarantee approval of payment or sufficient funds to meet the employees' needs. Each individual case will be unique and will not necessarily set a precedent for future cases. The KCHOPE Fund Committee will strive to provide proper assistance at the proper time. In the event of a dispute, KCHOPE Fund Committee and the full Board will meet to discuss and render a decision based on review of the facts. Their decision shall be final.

How often are applications reviewed?

KCHOPE funding applications will be reviewed monthly.

If the request is a qualifying emergency, the employee will be notified and assistance will be provided as early as possible. If a request is denied, the employee requesting assistance may be encouraged to re-apply.

A request for funds does not guarantee approval of payment or sufficient funds to meet the employees' needs.

How are Fund donations received and managed?

The KCHOPE fund is self-supporting and receives its funds through voluntary contributions from employees (i.e., payroll deductions, direct contributions, and proceeds from fundraising) or other individuals and organizations. These contributions may qualify as tax-deductible donations. The KCHOPE fund shall have its own account into which all funds will be deposited and from which all emergency funds distributed will be drawn. Any interest the account earns will be kept in the account to help it grow.

  • Employees may contribute via payroll deductions. Sign up through King County’s Employee Giving Program.
  • The KCHOPE Fund will accept direct contributions at any time, for any amount and from any individual(s) and/or agency via checks, or direct deposit at the Harborstone Credit Union.