The Blue Card offers its invaluable help to Holocaust survivors through five programs.
The Emergency Cash Assistance program takes care of the survivors' most immediate comfort by helping with dental care, medicine, rent and food.
The Holocaust Survivor Emergency Cahs Assistance Program is funded by the
Claims Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany
The Stipend program supports the survivors every month with a check ranging between $100 and $300.
The Jewish Holiday program gives a $200 amount for the High Holidays, $100 for Hanukkah and $200 for Passover. This program allows the survivors to have the financial means to have a happy and joyous holiday season.
The Telephone Emergency Response System is installed free of charge for the survivors to insure speedy medical assistance in case of an emergency.
The Summer Vacation Program for Holocaust survivors provides a weeklong retreat during the summer months at a kosher hotel in the Pennsylvania or Upstate New York.
Once The Blue Card determines that a Holocaust survivor is qualified to receive financial assistance, there is no cap or time limit on help. The Blue Card is the only agency that provides continuing, ongoing support for medical care, rent subsidies, food and other basic needs to indigent Holocaust survivors.
Holocaust survivors, often with no surviving family, are referred to The Blue Card by social service agencies or government agencies in the communities where they live. Their social worker performs a financial assessment and reviews the applicants' income and expenses to establish need and, when appropriate, helps the seniors access any public entitlements for which they may be eligible, knowing that they can count on the Blue Card to cover the gap.
The Blue Card reviews each referral and determines the appropriate amount of financial aid for that individual or couple using federal poverty levels as a guide, with extenuating circumstances taken into consideration. Most clients have income well below these levels. The average income for a single Blue Card grantee is less than $12,000 per year.
The Blue Card provides help and comfort to many people from many countries. Every story is unique and yet they all have great needs exceeding traditional safety nets.
Read about a client of The Blue Card. Click here to read Eva's story.