Disaster Relief Assistance Fund to support Skanska employees (benefit eligible employee populations) impacted by localized natural disasters. Disasters can be defined as hurricanes, floods, fires, earthquakes, tornados, and storms.
The purpose of this fund is to provide immediate financial assistance to address short-term needs and special hardships for approved applications submitted by the respective Skanska employees in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia (and other states declared disaster zones from Hurricane Helene and Milton). Employees can apply for up to $2,500 for review and consideration of financial assistance. Exceptional hardships requesting over $2,500 will also be reviewed and considered. Please also reference what qualifies as disaster relief payment defined by the IRS.
If you are interested in donating to the Skanska Disaster Relief Assistance Fund, please click here. If you would prefer to donate by check, please email Corporate Controller Ray Moore () for more information.
To apply for Skanska’s Disaster Relief Assistance, please download this form and submit to .
Feeling overwhelmed? Whether you need help getting started, support with leave or disability, or assistance navigating healthcare, our dedicated Skanska Benefits team at 866-Skanska (752-6752) is here for you. Reach out today for the resources you need.
Additional Skanska Resources
We understand that many of our colleagues that were in the path of these hurricanes may be experiencing hardship during this difficult time. Please take note of the following Skanska resources that are immediately available to support you.
Our goal is to bring you support, information and resources to help you navigate this challenging time.
Carebridge: Employee Assistance Program
There are many resources available through our Employee Assistance Program, administered by Carebridge. The following may be especially relevant for you at this time:
- Mental health resources
- Referrals to legal advice
- Relocation assistance
- Referrals to financial advisors
- Disaster resources
Contact Carebridge at (800) 437-0911 for 24/7 support.
Virtual and in-person childcare support - Helpr
Skanska already partners with Helpr to provide support for all employees in the areas of adult care and child care. This might be helpful to those of you whose childcare is disrupted. Consider Helpr for virtual homework help and/or interactive virtual sessions for kids from 6 months through high school. Please call Helpr directly at 877-417-4883
Telemedicine: Virtual healthcare providers
Telehealth resources are in place for those whose doctors are unavailable or who are temporarily relocated/dislocated.
- LiveHealth Online – Please call 888-548-3432
- Anthem 24/7 Nurseline – Please call 800-700-9184
Health Resources:
Pharmacy support
- If your Anthem plan covers your prescription medicines, you can receive up to a 30-day emergency refill at any pharmacy, even if it’s not in your network plan.
- If you use Anthem’s home delivery pharmacy and your address is changed, please call 833-285-4030.
Medical Support:
Anthem wants to help make sure you have access to the healthcare you need. We can help with finding available doctors, refilling prescription drugs, and other health plan questions. We’re available by phone Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET. For assistance during this emergency, please call us at 833-285-4030
401(k) loans and withdrawals
Some circumstances, including certain impacts of natural disasters, may result in eligibility to borrow or withdraw from your Skanska 401(k) plan. To learn more about 401(k) loans or hardship withdrawals, contact Vanguard at (800) 523-1188 for more information.
We hope that you are staying safe and well, and that these resources provide some relief for any current challenges you are experiencing. For additional assistance or to learn more about these resources, contact 866-SKANSKA (866-752-6752) to be connected directly to a Skanska Benefits specialist.
The timing and locations for these relaxed guidelines may change based on conditions. Please check back here for updates: Anthem Disaster Updates
Helpful Links:
Ready.gov
https://www.redcross.org/about-us/our-work/disaster-relief.html
https://www.fema.gov/assistance
https://www.disasterassistance.gov/
FloridaDisaster.org/Updates
What are the IRS eligible categories for disaster relief funds to employees?
The IRS specifies that disaster relief funds provided to employees can be eligible for tax-free treatment under certain conditions. The key categories for such disaster relief payments include:
1. Qualified Disaster Relief Payments:
- Payments to cover necessary personal, family, living, or funeral expenses incurred as a result of a qualified disaster.
- Payments to repair or rehabilitate a personal residence or repair or replace its contents due to damage from a qualified disaster.
2. Medical Expenses:
- Payments for medical expenses incurred as a direct result of the disaster.
3. Temporary Housing and Transportation:
- Payments for temporary housing and transportation costs if an employee’s primary residence is unusable due to the disaster.
4. Funeral Expenses:
- Payments for funeral expenses incurred due to deaths caused by the disaster.
5. Home Repair Expenses:
- Payments for home repairs required because of damage from the disaster that are not compensated by insurance.
6. Expenses Related to Evacuation and Clean-up:
- Payments covering evacuation costs and clean-up efforts after the disaster.
These payments must be made in response to a federally declared disaster and are excludable from an employee's gross income, meaning they are not subject to federal income tax withholding, Social Security, Medicare, and FUTA taxes.
For more precise details and eligibility requirements, it's always best to refer directly to IRS guidelines or consult with a tax professional.
Are there limits on the amounts that can be paid?
The IRS does not impose specific dollar limits on the amounts that can be paid for disaster relief to employees under qualified disaster relief payments. However, the payments must be reasonable and necessary to meet the needs arising from the disaster. Here are some important considerations:
1. Necessity and Reasonableness:
- Payments should be directly related to the disaster-related expenses and should not exceed what is necessary for the employee to address those needs.
2. Documentation:
- Employers should maintain adequate documentation demonstrating that the payments were made for qualifying expenses due to a qualified disaster.
3. Non-Compensation Basis:
- The payments must not be intended as compensation for services rendered or as a form of income replacement.
4. Federally Declared Disasters:
- The relief payments must be in response to a federally declared disaster, as designated by federal authorities.
While there is no hard cap on individual payment amounts, employers need to ensure that their disaster relief programs comply with these guidelines and are administered fairly and consistently.
For precise guidance tailored to specific circumstances or larger-scale corporate policies, consulting with legal or tax professionals is advisable.