Family Overdose Support Fund (FOSF) Overview and Application:
If you are a Boston resident who has recently lost a family member to overdose, you may be eligible for up to $5,000 in financial support to assist with the following:
Funeral Expenses
Behavioral Health Services
Child Wellness Support
Legal Fees Related to the Death of Your Family Member
Eligibility Requirement for Applicants
Must be able to provide relevant documents verifying death - such as death certificate, obituary, or funeral home invoice
Eligible family members include: A spouse, father, father-in-law, mother, mother-in-law, brother, sister, child, grandparent, grandchild, legal guardian, or other members of the applicant's immediate household
Applicants must be able to provide relevant documents verifying familial relation, such as birth, marriage, or adoption certificates, past obituaries, or joint financial or ownership documents
Must currently be a Boston resident, and provide documentation to verify this - utility bill, mortgage statement, or lease agreement,
Must have experienced the overdose death of a family member within the past 24 months (2 years)
If you do not meet the eligibility requirements, you may request an Application Exception Review by writing to us at contact@haloinitiatives.org. Exceptions are not guaranteed, but you can provide a detailed explanation of any extenuating circumstances or mitigating factors impacting your eligibility and why you believe you should be considered for support from the Family Overdose Support Fund.
What to Expect After You Apply
Once your application is complete and all relevant documents are submitted, your application will be reviewed by FOSF managers and responded to, not fulfilled, within one business day (24 hours).
If your application is approved, your request will be fulfilled, and your invoice will be paid within 48-72 hours of approval notification.
The Family Overdose Support Fund (FOSF) only pays for services on behalf of the applicant. For example, if an applicant is approved funds to help pay for a funeral, FOSF managers will pay the invoice directly to the funeral home for the services provided on behalf of the client. FOSF does not provide direct cash to applicants and does not provide reimbursements for services that have already been paid.
Please note that awards are not guaranteed. Applicants are encouraged to wait for confirmation of funding approval before committing to purchasing services.
Grantees can only receive one grant per deceased family member, however this one grant may be used in installments where appropriate, like paying for several sessions of therapy over time
