Does Pegasus assist all US Airways employees facing critical or life-threatening illness or injury?

Currently, Pegasus assists US Airways flight attendants who have a financial need due to the inability to work because of a critical or life-threatening illness or injury. It is our goal to open our doors to all employees who meet the above criteria in early 2012. Our ability to include assistance to all employees will be based upon the funds generated from employees donating to Pegasus.  

What types of illnesses and injuries does Pegasus assist with?

The Project assists with illnesses such as lupus, cancer, degenerative disk disease, MS, Lou Gehrig’s Disease, brain injuries, Fibromyalgia, hepatitis, just to name a few. The fund was not intended to be used for medical procedures, which are more common and less threatening to the individual such as tonsillectomies, hysterectomies and broken bones etc.

Is there any plan to expand the criteria to include other illnesses/injuries or other life altering events?

Yes, when adequate funding is available, the board intends to expand our grant giving to include events that would change or greatly impact an employee’s life such as a catastrophic event (i.e. house fire, tornado or flood to their primary residence), or a situation such as an immediate need to relocate an individual due to domestic violence. These situations would be handled on a case-by-case basis and would be a “one-time” donation, again, with funds permitting.

Is there any plan to expand the criteria to include spouses/partners or dependants?

At this point we anticipate only being able to assist all employees meeting the criteria beginning in early 2012. If employees embrace supporting this relief program, expanding assist to include family members may be possible down the line, funds permitting.

How does someone contribute to The Pegasus Project?

All employees can designate Pegasus as a donor choice through the United Way campaign. If your pledge cards have been turned in for the United Way 2012 Drive, you may email Karen Olson at kolson@vsuw.org and she can amend your pledge to include Pegasus. The deadline to amend your donation is November 18, 2011. The Valley of the Sun United Way (the Untied Way chapter US Airways employee donations are channeled through), is a reputable organization with less than 10% of each dollar going to administrative costs. They have also received awards from the Better Business Bureau for their ethical financial practices. 

Flight attendants also have the means to donate to Pegasus through direct payroll deduction. The form can be downloaded from the homepage of our website under the “Forms” link at the top of the page. Payroll deduction will be something our organization will be working with the company to implement for all employees in 2012.

Anyone may make a direct contribution to Pegasus by writing a check to The Pegasus Project and sending it to P.O. Box 40035, Phoenix, AZ 85067-0035. You may also click on the “Donate Here” link at the bottom of the homepage and donate through the JustGive.org link.

Besides being a critical, life threatening illness or injury, what other factors does The Project consider to determine eligibility?

To determine the financial need of the applicant The Project looks at the “total household income” of the individual applying for assistance, including income from spouses/committed partners or roommates, when the roommate pays a percentage of the household expenses.

How do you determine “critical or life-threatening illness or injury?

Applications are reviewed initially by the Executive Director and the Administrative Director. If a particular application is not “easily “ recognizable as a critical or life-threatening illness or injury, the application is forwarded to the M.D. who serves as an Advisory Board Member to ultimately determine that the eligibility is met.

Does Pegasus pay towards credit card debt?

No. While The Project recognizes that credit card debt may have been incurred due to the lack of income or reduced pay status, The Project cannot pay towards credit card debt. We do consider the monthly credit card payments as part of the applicants’ total expenses when determining whether there is a financial need. The reason for this is to ensure that the fund is only paying toward expenses that are considered “life supporting or life sustaining.”

What types of bills will Pegasus pay toward?

The Project assists with bills which support basic necessities of life. Our goal is to keep the lights on, keep food on the table and a roof over head. All funds are paid directly to the applicants’ creditors and not to the individual.

How does someone apply for assistance?

Individuals needing assistance can obtain an application by downloading the application from our website under the “Forms” link or by calling our toll free Pegasus number and requesting an application (1-866-785-0449).

How long will Pegasus assist members in need?

The Project assists individuals with $500.00 a month towards life-sustaining bills, until the employee has returned to work, or has reached the lifetime maximum grant amount of $5,000.00.

Does Pegasus plan to ever increase either their monthly donations or the lifetime grant?

This will certainly be explored once our funding increases enough to warrant such action.

What happens when an individual returns to work without using the entire life-time grant?

The remaining amount of the grant that is unused remains available should the grantee ever need to apply for assistance for a qualifying illness/injury in the future.

Is information that is provided to The Project confidential?

Yes. All information shared with The Project, either by telephone or via the application process is completely confidential and is only shared with the Pegasus Review Board members to determine eligibility for the grant. Board members sign confidentiality documents upon election and confidentiality is the cornerstone of our organization.

Are donations to The Project tax-deductible?

Yes. The Pegasus Project is a non-profit organization with a 501 (c) (3) status. (Tax EIN 52-1813235)