Application Information

The Emergency Food and Shelter program is a rapid response program, and the local board typically has 35-90 days from the time an award is announced to submit our local board plan.

Applications for Emergency Food and Shelter funding must be made through our local board, through the link at the bottom of this page.

Application availability is announced through our eNewsletter and we strongly urge you to sign up if you do not already receive it, as it is the fastest notification. It is also advertised in the local paper, emailed to previous year contacts and posted on efsp.jcunitedway.org.

EFSP is a federal grant with strict documentation requirements. Agencies must demonstrate the ability for appropriate financial accounting and document retention.

LRO Training is required for at least two representatives from each LRO prior to the application deadline.

Formal Appeals Process
There is a formal appeals process that has been established to address funding decisions made by the local board. Appeals must be made in writing and directed to the Local Board within 10 days of the date of the award letter. Appeals will be heard by a meeting, or virtual meeting, of the local board where a quorum of voting members is present.

Instructions
The application must be complete and attachments are required. Complete guidance on the program, what funds can be used for, documentation requirements etc. is available on the National EFSP website.

These three required attachments must be uploaded with your application:

• Financials: Agency’s total current year budget & YTD AND prior year's year-end actual.
  • We fund already existing programs, and must see the program area assistance (food, etc.) in financials that demonstrates the services are already being provided. If it is not clear, add a breakdown for that line.
• Program Specific Budget: Current program area (food, etc.) & YTD AND prior year's year-end actual.
  • The program budget must include the whole program, it can't just show EFSP funds.
• Board of Directors list: if the organization is a non-profit
  • Must include name, address, phone # & email address.
  • if government entity, upload an organizational chart including the contact information above

National EFSP Account- LRO's MUST log into their efsp.unitedway.org account now to ensure information is accurate.
If the organization has not received funds in this jurisdiction before, you may request an account on this form.
Certification forms are sent to the email address in your national account via Docusign. Payments are made to the EFT information on file with national EFSP, if your banking information has changed submit a new EFT form to national ASAP to avoid delays in receiving payments. The form is available in your national EFSP account.

An Agency interested in applying must have Unique Entity ID and FEIN Numbers. Both numbers can be obtained free of charge.

The deadline for application is firm. Late applications are not considered.

For questions or help applying, you can Contact Us or request an appointment for Office Hours.

Apply Now