Updated Thursday, May 12, 2022
The Employee Experience Center (EEC) can provide information regarding benefits, donations, time reporting, and wildfire programs available to employees.
HOURS: Mon-Fri, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
PHONE: 949.824.0500
EMAIL: eec@uci.edu
We understand that members of our UCI Community may be worried and experiencing heightened feelings of fear and anxiety surrounding the wildfires. If this is the case for you, or your family, here are some resources available to you to help with challenges surrounding this disaster.
Life Resources Program
If you would like access to free, confidential counseling services for you or your family, contact ComPsych Guidance Resources®, your Life Resources Program (LRP) 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
You can also contact UCI Faculty/Staff Support Services for free/confidential virtual consultation via Zoom and for assistance with connecting to resources and referrals. You can reach Dr. Negar Shekarabi at 949-824-5208 or nshekara@uci.edu
Additional counseling and support can be accessed using your UC Behavioral Health Benefits
Support Resources
Numerous guides, toolkits, and webinars are provided by our Life Resources Program to assist UCI employees in times of crisis.
Additional UCI Mental and Emotional Support Resources
We are working with local banks and credit unions to provide emergency loans to UCI employees and online application tools for employees to apply directly. Information will be added as it becomes available.
Use of UC Savings Plans Funds
If you or a family member live or work in one of the areas devastated by California wildfires, you may be able to use some of your UC 403(b) or 457(b) Plan funds to help you with expenses and rebuilding. Please visit this page to learn more: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/emergency-resources.html
Emergency Loans and Financial Assistance
The university has an emergency loan program through two credit unions that will provide emergency loans to UC employees. The two credit unions are USE Credit Union and University Credit Union.
Both suppliers have UC negotiated interest rates, are in complete compliance with the Truth in Lending requirements, and will provide online application tools for employees to directly apply for emergency loans.
For more information on the UC Emergency Loan fund, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/3410225/AM-E526-48
To contact USE Credit Union, call 800.828.4510 or email loans@ucu.org
To contact University Credit Union, call 866.873.4968 (press option 2) or email loancenter@usecu.org
SchoolsFirst FCU
If you’re a resident of an area that is directly impacted by the California wildfires, your well-being is of great concern to us. We want you to know we are here to help provide financial assistance for your critical needs during this time.
SchoolsFirst FCU has financial relief programs with special terms for Members affected by the wildfires. We are here to work with you and find solutions that meet your needs.
Credit qualifying criteria and other limitations may apply to all programs. Please contact us at 800.462.8328, ext. 8059 Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., or Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (PT) to learn more about what may be available to you. We are here for you and hope you and your family are safe and doing well.
View the Schools First Credit Union Brochure
Paid administrative leave is available for employees displaced by wildfires and who are unable to work as a result. Employees may be approved to take up to 40 hours of paid administrative leave for emergencies if they are required to evacuate from the homes and are not able to work remotely from their temporary accommodations.
All requests for paid administrative leave require pre-approval by the appropriate supervisor. The use of paid administrative leave shall not adversely affect the delivery of essential university services, including in particular, the clinical services delivered by UC Health. If approved, employees should enter their time as ‘Admin’.
Instructions for Campus (Only) Time Reporting
Employees impacted by wildfires may request to have up to 40 hours of accumulated vacation or PTO paid out, provided the employee submits acceptable documentation of financial impact due to the wildfires. Vacation or PTO hours will be paid at the employee’s current rate of pay. Allowable expenses may include unexpected living expenses as a result of the evacuation (food, shelter, clothing, etc.), rent or mortgage payments, primary residence repairs as a result of wildfire damage, and/or out-of-pocket costs or co-pays for medical expenses.
All requests for vacation / PTO payout must be submitted using the Emergency Accrued Vacation Payout Request Form. Employees should complete the form then send the form and supporting documentation to the Employee Experience Center (EEC) at eec@uci.edu for review and approval. An HR task team will review forms for completeness and validity of allowable expenses.
The Chancellor’s Emergency Fund is available for all UCI employees. Employees impacted by wildfires can apply for a grant of up to $2,000 for expenses not covered by insurance or another source. Allowable expenses can include:
Grant amounts are up to $2,000, based upon the extent of need and available funding. Grants will be awarded as a tax-free lump sum payment processed through UCI accounts payable. Applications will be reviewed as they are received and employees will be notified of the status of their application generally within four business days. In order to ensure that grant funds under this program remain tax-free, UCI requires that the funds be used for the purposes stated above. By applying for these funds, and accepting such funds if awarded, the employee certifies that all such funds awarded to them under this program will solely be used for expenses as outlined above and that such expenses do not qualify for reimbursement from another source, such as personal insurance coverage. Please retain your receipts for all expenses purchased using these funds. UCI reserves the right to request such receipts to verify allowable expenses under this program.
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