Parent Application

If you are a parent or guardian of a child with a life-threatening heart condition and have been forced to incur significant financial burdens in the process of getting your child the medical attention they require, you may be eligible to receive financial assistance from the Erika Kate Foundation.

We generally offer short-term financial assistance to families of children with life-threatening heart conditions, particularly those in the midst of a heart-related medical crisis or prolonged hospitalization. In these situations, we can help with a wide variety of dislocation expenses, as well as ongoing ‘at home’ expenses like mortgage/rent payments and utility payments. In certain circumstances, we can also help with doctor or pharmacy co-pays.

We offer emotional support to families in the thick of a medical crisis with their child. We’ve been there. We know what it’s like. We’re willing to support families through a crisis, and walk with them through grief if things take a turn for the worse. We’ve assembled a team of parents who have experienced similar storms and can offer a unique perspective on the situation. Most of this interaction is carried out online.

We also offer spiritual support to parents and families. We interact with families at a very stressful time in their lives. We know that parents are often willing to engage in conversation about God in relation to the troubles they’re facing. Because of their history with their own children, EKF Care Team members are able to offer unique perspectives. Not every parent is open to discussing such matters at such a critical time. We let you lead us into this dialogue and are prepared to gently share when prompted.

Online Application

Applications can be initiated online by completing the online application form. Vendor information is requested and may be submitted via email or fax to accompany the online submission. The Erika Kate Foundation will carefully consider your request and respond to your inquiry within 72 hours of receipt of the application. For information regarding eligibility criteria for financial assistance, please see the Frequently Asked Questions. For additional questions regarding applications and referrals please send us an email at info@erikakate.org.

Paper Application

The paper application process consists of the following:

1. Complete and submit the two-page application below. This provides us basic contact information for you and a medical social worker familiar with your situation. The application is available for download via these links:
   
   English

2. Prepare a one- or two-page letter of hardship describing your journey with your child’s heart condition and medical problems. Let us know how this condition has created challenges for you as you’ve sought to get your child the care required.

3. Provide us with a statement or invoice for payments you want EKF to help you with. It’s helpful to include the vendor name, address, phone number, and your account number as related to the vendor. Failure to submit this information may result in significant delay in processing your application.

4. Submit the completed application, the letter of hardship and vendor information to EKF.
   
   By Mail:
   The Erika Kate Foundation
   PO Box 262
   Muscatine, IA 52761

   By fax: 563-263-1757
   By email: info@erikakate.org