Financial Aid for NYC Restaurant Workers

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Relief Opportunities for All Restaurants (ROAR) is partnering with Robin Hood to raise donations for a New York City Restaurant Employee Relief Fund.

Hospitality teams live to take care of guests. Now it’s our turn to take care of them.

The Fund grants are intended to be awarded on a first-come-first served basis (expressly subject to the availability of donations received by the Fund) to those individuals facing unprecedented economic hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic that meet the prescribed eligibility criteria detailed below, as reviewed and verified by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF).  A one-time grant of $500 will be disbursed directly to the applicant pending NRAEF’s review and verification that their submitted application meets the prescribed guidelines. Availability of awards will be based on available funds and will be limited to one per individual.  

Restaurants and bars are the heartbeat of New York City. When the government abruptly shut them down to mitigate the spread of deadly COVID-19, about half a million people suddenly found themselves out of work, with no ability to earn a living from home. With paychecks and tips lost overnight, service workers don't know how they will cover next month’s rent, put food on the table, or pay for medicine, school, child care and more.

Robin Hood, New York City’s largest and most-effective poverty-fighting organization, has been dedicated to serving others for more than 30 years, and during the time of the COVID-19 crisis, is actively focused on those who will be disproportionately harmed by its immediate and long-term impacts.

Robin Hood (a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, EIN 13-3441066, registered in the United States) will manage donations.

All donations made through this campaign are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law and will be held by Robin Hood to be distributed through NRAEF to aid individual restaurant workers in New York City who need relief resulting from unemployment because of COVID-19 disruption.

Eligibility:

Available for any restaurant employee who can demonstrate that such employee:

• Has worked in a part- or full-time basis in the restaurant industry for at least 90 days 

• Has a primary source of income rooted in the restaurant industry

• Has experienced a decrease in wages or loss of job or extraordinary healthcare or similar expenses  on or after March 10, 2020

• Is based in the United States, an overseas US military base, or any US territory; and

• Is over the age of legal majority in their respective US state or territory

Individuals related to employees or board members of the National Restaurant Association or National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation are not eligible for grants.

Necessary Documentation:

1. A PDF copy or image of a pay stub that: 

• Shows your name
• Shows your employer's name
• Is dated on or before December 10, 2019
• Shows hours and/or amounts Year to Date (YTD)

AND ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:

2. A PDF copy or image of a second pay stub that:

• Shows your name
• Shows your employer's name
• Is dated on or after March 10, 2020
• Shows hours and/or amounts Year to Date (YTD)

OR 

A letter/notice of termination that:

• Shows your name
• Shows your employer's name
• Is dated on or after March 10, 2020

OR 

Proof of unemployment benefits/claim that: 

• Shows your name
• Is dated on or after March 10, 2020

Need for Funds: One-time grants are for short-term COVID-19 related hardships in paying any of the following expenses only:

• Rent or mortgage

• Car payments / transportation costs

• Utility bills

• Student loan payments

• Child care

• Groceries

• Medical bills

Updates on the distribution of funds will be posted here and on the application site.

Updates from @roar.ny