Natural disasters and unforeseen crises, like the ongoing California wildfires, leave employees facing immense uncertainty. Beyond the physical and emotional toll, many impacted employees find themselves navigating urgent financial needs, such as lost wages, unexpected major expenses, and how to replace lost and critical resources including housing and transportation.
For HR leaders, these moments can be overwhelming. They want to support employees through crisis – but knowing how to respond effectively—or having the time and resources to do so—isn’t always easy. That’s why Brightside Financial Care provides personalized, empathetic, and confidential support to employees for all financial needs – including times of crisis – while also offering HR teams a trusted partner they know has real solutions to help employees.
Brightside’s approach to crisis support
At Brightside, we understand that financial challenges are deeply personal and often tied to moments of intense stress. That’s why our Financial Assistants are trained to offer more than solutions—they provide empathy, understanding, and a judgment-free experience.
Here are some ways Brightside helps employees navigate crises such as natural disasters:
1. Access to emergency funds
Crises often come with sudden financial pressures, from repairing damages to replacing essentials or covering lost wages. Brightside helps employees identify and understand all of their available options, including free resources for which they may be eligible, whenever possible. Brightside partner loans also provide employees with access to affordable funds, even for those with low credit scores, so they can meet their financial needs without further compromising their financial health. This paycheck-linked solution is one they cannot find on their own and provides a safe source of cash so they don’t have to turn to high-interest debt, predatory loans, or even become reliant on earned-wage access or other solutions that could make them more financially sick.
2. Navigating property loss
Dealing with the next steps for handling damage to homes, vehicles, or personal belongings can be overwhelming whether a person owns that property, leases, or rents it. Brightside’s Financial Assistants help employees navigate these situations, including understanding their rights in the event that a landlord or creditor attempts to hold them responsible for certain types of damage, and making sense of the claims process for insurance policies they may hold. Financial Assistants also connect employees with other relevant employee benefits, such as legal aid and similar support organizations that can offer more specific types of help, when needed.
3. Connecting to free resources
Depending on the crisis, employees may qualify for aid through FEMA or local organizations, but many don’t know where to start or how to navigate the process to completion. Brightside helps employees identify, apply for, and secure federal and community assistance programs for which they are eligible, so they can get the additional financial support they need as quickly as possible.
When employees are in urgent situations, such as lack of safe shelter and food, Brightside Financial Assistants also do the legwork to connect with local resources in the employee’s area and confirm that they have the availability and means to serve the employees’ need, to ensure essential needs are met as quickly as possible.
4. Leveraging employer benefits
Many companies offer hardship programs or emergency benefits, but employees may be ashamed or unwilling to share the true extent of their financial challenges with an HR leader or manager. As a result, many may remain unaware of what’s available or how to apply for and use these types of employer resources.
As a partner employees can trust is a confidential resource who is acting in their best interest and is on their side, Brightside Financial Assistants help bridge this gap. Because Brightside integrates with other employee benefits, Financial Assistants help employees find and connect with all employer-provided resources – including hardship funds and mental health benefits such as an EAP – ensuring employees get the full support they need during challenging times.
The value of Brightside for HR leaders
Brightside Financial Care offers a vital layer of support for HR leaders and managers who want to help employees who are facing financial challenges, especially in times of crisis. When employees have Brightside as a benefit, HR leaders can trust that they can direct employees to a resource that will lead to meaningful results and positive outcomes, while also feeling confident employees will have an experience that makes them feel valued and supported.
A lifeline for employees when they need it most
Crises are unpredictable, but our Financial Assistants are there to make the process less stressful and more manageable. With Brightside, companies can ensure their people receive the help they need to navigate tough times, creating a workplace culture of compassion and support.
Ready to support your employees in the moments that matter most? Click here to learn more about Brightside.
