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Introduction to Hasidah Grants and Loans
Hasidah grants and interest free loans provide funding for in vitro fertilization (IVF) and related expenses (e.g. PGD, ICSI) for necessary infertility treatment. Hasidah does not proscribe an exact amount for grants or loans, but they typically run between $5,000 and $10,000.
The program is run based on the availability of funds and funding is not guaranteed to all applicants. Our awards take into consideration financial need, medical need, and the how the applicants align with our mission to build Jewish families. Financial and medical experts review all applications to help us understand the nuances such as the need for a grant or the ability to manage an interest free loan. Funding is available to Jews of all backgrounds and sexual orientation.
We wish our funds were unlimited and that we could provide assistance to everyone who needed it. However choices must be made and not all applicants will receive funding. A lots of logistics are involved with IVF treatment so we try to be transparent to minimize confusion. Whether or not Hasidah is able to provide funding, we are always here to listen and provide care to you during your experience with infertility.
If you are considering applying, please read these frequently asked questions first.
These questions and answers below cover a lot of what people ask (and what we wish they asked). The best advice is to be transparent and honest. Lack of clarity can count against you. Just be real. The committee is very compassionate and works hard to build a complete picture. That can only be done if the information is thorough, thoughtful and easy to understand.
Please read this entire Application FAQ section or contact us if you need help determining if you are qualified for funding, completing the application materials or with questions about the review process.
Once applications are received, a thorough review for completeness and accuracy of all submitted information will be done. Hasidah may not be able to notify applicants for mistakes or omissions – REVIEW APPLICATION CAREFULLY BEFORE SUBMITTING. Complete applications are reviewed for medical, financial and general approval. Applicants will then be notified of the results. For those receiving funding, timing will be discussed and appropriate paperwork (i.e. grant awards, promissory notes) will be completed.
Upon notification of scheduled procedures, Hasidah will then manage payment to health care providers up to the awarded amount.
As with all Hasidah financial assistance, the following guidelines apply.
After an application is received, it takes approximately four to six weeks for the application review process to be completed. Applicants are then notified whether or not Hasidah was able to provide funding for their application.
A healthcare review committee, a financial review committee and an application review committee review Hasidah applications. Everyone involved takes their role very seriously, appreciates the sensitivity of application information and is bound by confidentiality.
We know that the process leading to IVF can be difficult and that there are many questions along the way. We are happy to speak with you, provide support and discuss our funding opportunities. Please
complete a contact form here or call Hasidah at 415.323.3226 to speak with someone.
During applications cycles, the application files are available on the Hasidah website.
You can also look at a previous application sample to get an idea of the other information requested on the on-line application (this is NOT complete, but a sample)
Hasidah currently provides grants across the US except in locations that have grant programs available. This includes:
Grant recipients need to be willing to share photos of themselves and their story via social media and Hasidah newsletters. You are not expected to share while you are going through IVF. We also want you to attend Hasidah’s annual event and generally promote fundraising events. Success stories inspire other people who are trying to conceive and who would support Hasidah’s mission.
Hasidah consider a range of situations from those with greater financial need leaning towards grants, and those with more financial means but still in need of assistance leaning towards loans. Below are some of the questions we consider when reviewing applications:
All recipients will be subject to a criminal background check and a credit check.
Income levels are considered to ensure that proper care can be given to any children resulting from treatment and to distinguish eligibility for grants versus loans. You need to demonstrate that you have enough to provide financial stability to be a parent. We know many people are financially unstable and have children anyways. We however do not want to intentionally build a financially unstable family. Generally, we do not fund applicants that earn over $150,000. If you do and still think you need assistance, perhaps with a loan, the committee will need an explanation of necessity or extenuating circumstances. We do take cost of living index into consideration.
Applicants must have health insurance but NOT have coverage for IVF. If you think your situation is exceptional, please contact us before applying.
No. Hasidah only provides funding for treatments before they have started.
No. Our grants are made payable to clinics, laboratories and pharmacies only.
Each case is considered individually based on treatment costs and applicant’s financial situation. Hasidah typically funds between $5,000 – and $10,000, averaging in the middle. All applicants will be required to make a personal contribution to the cost of treatment.
As noted above, first we determine if candidates meet all of application criteria. The amount awarded depends on funds available and financial needs. The medical situation is also considered. For example, you may be electing to do procedures that are not medically necessary such as ICSI or genetic screening. You may also be going to a clinic that is more expensive. No research supports that more expensive treatment is linked to better outcomes. Additionally, many clinics offer multi-cycles or other programs that package programs together. We support your choice to ensure you success and you will likely have long terms savings from the program. Our funding is based on a single cycle. Lastly, grants and loans are considered based in a large part on short vs long term need.
Applicants MUST meet the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) definition of Infertility (i.e. blocked tubes, unexplained infertility, endometriosis, PCOS, male factor, female factor, etc.) OR have other appropriate situation that requires use of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (e.g. cancer treatment, genetic carriers, etc.). A reproductive endocrinologist must certify that IVF is necessary (i.e. not just preferable) and the applicant is an appropriate candidate for IVF.
Hasidah utilizes a healthcare review committee that considers if candidates have a reasonable likelihood of success. Overall mental and physical health will also be considered.
Candidates must have a BMI below 40, ideally below 35.
Female patient must be under the age of 41 when starting an in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle. Female patients who are between 41 and 45 years of age will be considered if they are using donor eggs.
See more in the questions about eligible treatments.
IVF treatment must be provided at a clinic that reports statistics to and whose doctors are members of the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART – www.SART.org) and has acceptable success rates for appropriate procedures. No exceptions.
Hasidah provides funding for IVF and related treatments such as ICSI and genetic testing (only when medically necessary). Hasidah will fund IVF cycles that use donor gametes. Hasidah’s goal is not to fund fertility treatment. Hasidah’s goal is to build Jewish families by removing financial barriers to treatment that has a reasonable likelihood of success. Except in the rare instance when the treatment may be unsafe for mother or baby, our inability to fund is not a statement against your choice. We deeply respect the choices people make and have faith in the medical community to provide ethically appropriate recommendations and treatment. Please choose to pursue the treatment that you feel is best for you. However, we do not fund treatment if it has a low likelihood of success.
Eligible treatments include:
Full Jewish genetic screening is required. Clinics have varying degrees of screening. We do not want someone to undergo treatment only to find out another factor is a barrier. Please go to www.jscreen.org for more information.
1) The Medical Referral Form is the the form that we provide you and your doctor completes. It is full of medical questions to help us understand your situation, the medical treatment you have received and indicates the need for IVF.
2) The Clinic Release of Information form is a form you have to complete at your clinic to allow them to talk to us. It is not a form we can provide you. The clinic usually has a form to complete where you list Hasidah as having permission to see your medical records and talk to the clinic. This is in case we have questions and if you receive a grant then we can coordinate payment. A clinic will not talk to us or even admit you are a client unless you give them permission. You give permission through a form that the clinic.provides you. After you complete it, submit it to us.
Judaism must be the sole religion practiced in the home and applicants need to demonstrate a connection to Jewish life. However, what that looks like is not “criteria” really. It’s that we are deeply invested in our clients and will be on your team to make your vision a reality. The application committee reviews many applications and will not have the chance to meet you in person. In the essay, take the opportunity to share your fertility story, who you are, and your vision for your Jewish family.
Additionally, all applicants may be subject to a criminal background check.
Yes. Applicants must have legal U.S. residency status, such as citizenship, green card, work permit or white card.
Yes. Single women using their own eggs but experiencing infertility may apply. Unmarried couples are reviewed as single for financial purposes. Please note that the financial requirements for financial stability are not adjusted for single applicants.
Our goal is to build Jewish families. If you are in need of IVF to build your Jewish family, can sustain that family, and have financial need then we are here to support you. Please note that because this involves reproduction, we do need to understand the physiology of the people involved. Your transparency is particularly helpful for our medical reviewers who will not know your specific situation and may need to understand the necessity for medical procedures or donor gametes.
Hasidah does not fund secondary infertility. We understand the pain of this, however we know that when other applicants have no children, the comparison doesn’t work and we do not want people to spend the time applying for nothing. If you are in a situation that involved step-children, please explain the relationships of those children and their living situations or contact us prior to applying.