STRIPE ASSISTANCE

Short-Term Resources for Immediate Caregiving Needs

The STRIPE Program provides short-term financial assistance to eligible U.S. families caring for an infant or child diagnosed with Trisomy 18.

Caring for a medically complex child can create significant financial challenges, particularly when a family is navigating a new diagnosis, hospitalization, specialized treatment, or ongoing medical care. The E.WE Foundation created STRIPE to help families address specific financial burdens that may arise during these challenging circumstances.

Through STRIPE, we aim to ease eligible financial burdens so families can focus on caring for their child and supporting their household.

What Can You Apply For?

Eligible families may request assistance for documented expenses within the following categories.

1. Past-Due Living Expenses: Assistance may be available for essential household bills that have become past due as a result of financial hardship associated with a child’s medical needs.

2. Uncovered Medical Supplies and Caregiving Items: Assistance may be available for medically necessary supplies and caregiving items that are not fully covered by insurance or other available resources.

3. Long-Distance Travel for Medical Care: Assistance may be available for eligible transportation expenses when a family must travel a significant distance to access hospital care or specialized medical services for their child.

4. Other Needs Related to a Medical Crisis: If your family’s financial need does not fit neatly into one of the categories above, you may describe the expense in your application.

How Much Assistance Can a Family Receive?

STRIPE provides awards of up to $1,500 per family within a rolling 12-month period. The maximum award is not guaranteed.

How Does the Application Process Work?

Step 1: Submit an application.

Step 2: Provide supporting documentation.

Step 3: Participate in a required meeting.

Step 4: Committee review.

Step 5: Receive a decision.

Your information is confidential and stored securely in accordance with our privacy policy.

STRIPE Assistance Application

Section 1: Tell Us About Your Child

What is your child’s gender?(required)
What is your child’s current care setting?(required)

Section 2: Your Personal & Contact Information

What is your relationship to the child?(required)
What is the best way to contact you?(required)
Is a social worker, case manager, or another professional helping you complete this application?(required)

Section 3: Your Household

The following questions help us understand your household’s financial responsibilities and caregiving circumstances.

Including yourself, how many people live in your household?(required)
How many dependent children are in your household?(required)
How many adults in your household contribute financially to household expenses?(required)
Has your household experienced a recent change that’s affected its financial stability? (Select all that apply)(required)

Section 4: Demographics and Language

We collect this information to understand who our programs reach, identify potential barriers, and improve equitable support for families. Your responses will not affect your request.

Do you need an interpreter to participate in the STRIPE Committee meeting?(required)
Are you Hispanic, Latino/a, or of Spanish origin?(required)

Section 5: Employment & Income Sources

Please report your household’s current income as accurately as possible. Include income from all applicable sources, even if the amount varies from month to month.

What is your current employment status? (Select all that apply) (required)
What is your household’s approximate total annual income before taxes?(required)
What are your household’s current sources of income? (Select all that apply)(required)

Section 6: Diagnosis & Medical Information

What type of Trisomy 18 does your child have?: (required)
When was your child’s Trisomy 18 diagnosis confirmed?: (required)

Section 7: Type of Assistance Requested

What type of assistance are you requesting? required)

Section 8: Required Supporting Documentation

Please upload clear, legible documents that support the information provided in your application.

1. Proof of Applicant Identity
Upload at least one document that confirms the applicant’s identity. Examples include a government-issued ID.

Drag and drop or click to select a file.

2. Proof of Trisomy 18 Diagnosis
Upload documentation confirming the child’s Trisomy 18 diagnosis. Examples include a medical summary, clinic letter, care plan, genetic report, or other documentation confirming the diagnosis.

Drag and drop or click to select a file.

Drag and drop or click to select a file.

3. Proof of Household Income From All Sources
Upload recent pay stubs, benefit statements, Social Security documentation, or other records supporting reported household income. If your household has no income, upload the completed STRIPE Zero Income Statement: STRIPE Zero Income Statement.

Drag and drop or click to select a file.

Drag and drop or click to select a file.

Drag and drop or click to select a file.

4. Proof of Financial Need
Upload documentation related to the assistance you are requesting. Examples include past due rent or mortgage statements, utility bills, medical supply invoices or estimates, documentation of uncovered out-of-pocket costs, travel estimates or receipts, other relevant documentation.

Drag and drop or click to select a file.

Drag and drop or click to select a file.

Drag and drop or click to select a file.

Drag and drop or click to select a file.

Drag and drop or click to select a file.

Section 9: Acknowledgement and Attestation

Please review each statement carefully before submitting your application.

I certify that the information provided in this application is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge.(required)
I confirm that I am the child’s parent, legal guardian, or eligible primary caregiver.(required)
I understand that the STRIPE team may request additional information or documentation to verify eligibility, household income, financial need, and the expense for which assistance is requested.(required)
I understand that a Zoom meeting with the STRIPE Committee is a required part of the application review process.(required)
I understand that submitting an application does not guarantee financial assistance. (required)
I understand that the STRIPE Committee may approve the request in full or in part, request additional information, defer a decision, or decline the request.(required)
Section 10: For Social Workers, Case Managers, or Other Professionals