Dual Demons x The 418 Project Trans Emergency Fund is a scholarship-like program that provides direct financial assistance to trans folks in Santa Cruz who are experiencing acute crisis and cannot afford basic needs like housing, food and medical care. 

Requirements

We have very few requirements in an effort to be as inclusive as possible:

• You identify as transgender (FTM, MTF, non-binary, genderqueer, gender non-conforming, and all other non-cis identities.)
• You are 18 years of age or older. 
• You have acute financial need that prevents you from affording gender affirming care, housing, food or any other necessary life expense. 
• You live in Santa Cruz County. 

Self-assessment

This program is intended to help trans folks who otherwise can not afford basic needs for living. We ask that you consider your access to California State care before applying for this grant. Here are some questions to consider:

• Do you have health insurance coverage that is trans-inclusive?
• Do you qualify for Medicaid and/or food stamps?
• Do you have stable housing and the ability to live there for the next three months? 
• Are you employed and able to save some money towards your needs?
• Are you a citizen or documented immigrant?
• Do you consider yourself healthy and able-bodied (i.e., not living with a chronic or long-standing illness)?
• Do you identify as white, or do you experience white/light-skinned privilege?

If you answered YES to most of these questions, you may consider making space for our trans siblings who mostly answered NO. (Even if you answer YES to most or all of these questions, you are still eligible to apply.)

Application process

Applications are open on the 1st of each month and close on the 20th of that month to be awarded at the beginning of the following month. For example,  applications open January 1st and close on January 20th for monies distributed at the beginning of February. We may also consider applications for time-sensitive requests on a case-by-case basis.

All applications must be submitted online.

1. Carefully read this page.
2. Submit your application via the form below.

What to expect

Once the application process ends, our team will evaluate each and every application received. This process is intentional and time-sensitive! Expect: 

• If you are being considered for the fund you may be invited to participate in a brief phone or online interview.
• If you’re selected as a recipient, we will contact you through email or phone regarding next steps. You will have a window of 18 days to schedule your payment pickup. The full details of your award will be provided in the acceptance message. 
• If you are not selected as a recipient, we will notify you via email by the first of the following month. And you are welcome to apply again for our next application cycle. (Note: Our team stores your application materials for a full year, and we continue to pair candidates with financial assistance as we receive funds.) 

Dual Demons or The 418 Project will never ask you for your banking information, account/routing numbers, PINs, or other extremely sensitive identity or financial 

Notes

• Privacy: We will not share personal information with anyone outside of our organization without your explicit consent. We know that applying and sharing your experiences takes a lot of trust and vulnerability, and we will always respect that.
• Equity and inclusion: Dual Demons and The 418 Project strive to be inclusive and equitable as our mission and guiding principle.