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HRT Access Fund

Illustration of happy trans folks

About the program

Point of Pride’s HRT Access Fund is a scholarship-like program that provides direct financial assistance to trans folks who cannot afford their gender-affirming hormone replacement therapy (also known as "HRT.")

We have proudly partnered with Plume, Folx, QueerMed, and QueerDoc to provide recipients with 12 months of:

  • medical care through initial and regular telemedical visits
  • 3x year lab work and monitoring
  • 24/7 text access to a predominantly trans care team
  • any medical letters you may need related to your transition
  • prescription cost coverage

Close-up of hand holding smartphone showing telemedicine video call

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 have financial need that prevents you from affording hormone replacement therapy.
  • You are 18 years old or older at the time you apply.
  • You meet all of the eligibility requirements of your chosen telehealth provider.

Important Notice:
At this time, the fund is available to individuals 18+ and within the current service area of our three provider partners: Plume, Folx, QueerMed, and QueerDoc.

Each provider has different licensures, which means some treatments are only available in specific states. (One provider may only offer estrogen+ in your state, whereas another provider may offer testosterone+, too.)

That is why at the time you apply, we will ask you to select your preferred provider and confirm that you meet their specific eligibility requirements.

Combined, our partner providers are  available in the states in which over 95% of the US trans population lives* and are working to rapidly expand their services in accordance with state regulations. We recognize that all trans and gender expansive folks deserve access to knowledgeable and affirming care, and will continue to work towards more comprehensive coverage.

*Based on the Williams Institute survey that estimates the trans population in every state and nationally.

Self-assessment

This program is intended to help trans folks who otherwise can not afford gender-affirming medical care. We ask that you consider your access to healthcare before applying for this grant. Here are some questions to consider:

  • Do you have health insurance coverage that is trans-inclusive?
  • If not, do you qualify for Medicaid? (Learn more)
  • Do you live in a state whose Medicaid plans cover HRT? (Learn more)
  • Are you employed and able to pay for HRT out of pocket?
  • Are there nearby clinics that offer HRT with informed consent?
  • Do you have reliable transportation options to access a provider?
  • 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.)

Info sessions

Point of Pride staff will host live "Before You Apply" info sessions to walk potential applicants through our requirements and processes, and answer questions. These are completely optional to attend and will not impact your application positively or negatively.

  • Future info session dates TBD

Your privacy and security are our top priority. Your personal information will be hidden from other participants; your video and microphone will be disabled. You will not be able to see or interact with other participants; you will only be able to interact with staff via a private chat feature.

The sessions have generated captions with Zoom's built-in, real-time translation available.

Application process

Applications are open from June 15–July 31. All applications must be submitted online.

  1. Carefully read this page, especially our Frequently Asked Questions section.
  2. Review our Instruction Packet, which walks you through each question of the application form.
  3. Submit your application via the form below.

What to expect

Once the application period ends, our Board of Directors and team of Community Grantmaking Fellows (trained volunteers) evaluate each and every application received. This process is necessarily difficult and time-intensive, so thank you for your patience!

  • If you are selected as a finalist, or if our reviewers determine they need additional information, you will be contacted via email 4-12 weeks following the application deadline. You may be invited to submit additional writing samples and/or participate in a brief phone or online interview.
  • If you are selected as a recipient, you will be contacted via email 4-12 weeks following the application deadline. Part of your grant award will be paid directly to your provider for establishing medical care, initial and regular telemedical visits, lab work and monitoring, and other needs. Point of Pride will work with you directly to identify and cover the costs of your prescription medication. The full details of your award will be explained in your recipient agreement.
  • If you are not selected as a finalist or recipient, we will notify you via email, 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 grants, resources, and new opportunities. You may be contacted later in the year via email. Review our Privacy Policy.)

For even more detail, this resource serves to provide complete context and clarity around our financial assistance programs, and why we have certain requirements or parameters in place.

Notes

  • Privacy and safety: We know many applicants feel vulnerable in sharing their experiences, and we take this very seriously. Anything you share with us in your written responses will be kept strictly confidential and private. Recipients will have the opportunity to publicly share their stories in the way that feels safest and most affirming for them, as well as hide identifying information if preferred.
  • Language: Our application is not an English test. We will not consider grammar/spelling or writing ability when reviewing your responses. Above all, please give us detailed, thorough responses so we understand your unique situation. We hope to provide full translation support in the future.
  • Accessibility: We understand that some applicants may want or need extra support in completing their application. You may list someone else on the application as your liaison, translator, or support person. This person will be CC'd on all email notifications regarding your application status. (Access can be revoked at any time by the applicant by contacting Point of Pride.)
  • Equity: Our organization prioritizes equity as one of our guiding principles. Your application will be assessed on the responses you provide and in accordance with this guiding principle. Point of Pride does not discriminate based on age, race, ethnicity, gender, or any other identity.

FAQ

"Can I apply if I have health insurance?"
Yes, you may still apply.
"Can I apply if I'm under the age of 18?"
Unfortunately, no. We are so excited to hear that more parents and guardians are interested in supporting those under the age of 18 in pursuing affirming medical care. However, due to current legislation and the constant shifting in legislation, Point of Pride is unable to provide financial assistance, even with parent or guardian authorization. 
"Can I apply if I live in a different country?"
Unfortunately, no. At this time, all applicants must reside in the United States within the current service area of their chosen provider.
"Can I apply to pay back expenses for HRT/medical services I’ve already had?"
We understand the challenges of debt and medical loans that so many of us deal with in order to afford care. Unfortunately, no; you must apply for financial aid towards future access to HRT and medical services.
"I need puberty blockers. Does this program cover them?"
Unfortunately, no. At this time, puberty blockers are not covered.
"When will I receive a response about my application?"
You will receive an email from an "@pointofpride.org" account about 2 months from when the application cycle ends. (Please check your spam folder and the quota limit on your inbox to make sure it hasn’t been filtered or bounced back. You may need to search for email accounts that end in “@pointofpride.org” or update your settings to allow emails from “@pointofpride.org” accounts.)
"When are recipients selected?"
Typically, recipients are selected and announced about 3-4 months from when the application cycle ends. We are a primarily volunteer-operated non-profit, so sometimes it can take longer as we process the high volume of applications. We appreciate your patience!
"Why isn’t this program available across the US yet?"
At present, different states have varying legal requirements for Telehealth (including some states explicitly preventing e-prescribing testosterone+). Point of Pride has expanded our provider network to increase access to care, but unfortunately, not all areas of the country are covered yet. All of our providers are working tirelessly to increase their coverage as well as limit the impact of ongoing gender-affirming care bans on new and existing patients. Additionally, Point of Pride is also working to expand our programs so that we may fund gender-affirming care anywhere we are legally able to do so within the US.
"I’d like to nominate someone to receive funding."
It’s wonderful that you’d like to support trans loved ones in your life to help them access the care they need. However, our program does not take nominations into consideration when awarding financial aid. To be considered, your friend will need to personally submit an application. This helps protect your friend’s privacy, safety, and comfort, and keep our processes as fair as possible for all applicants. Thank you for your understanding!
"I've missed the application window deadline. Can I submit a late application?"
Unfortunately, no. Please apply during our next application cycle.
"Can I apply this cycle if I have applied in the past?"
Yes, you are welcome to submit an application every cycle.
"I've made a mistake on my submitted application. Can I edit it?"
Unfortunately, no. All submitted applications are final, and you cannot edit your responses. If you are selected to move forward as a finalist, you will be invited to review and provide updated information at that time.
"Can I submit an application on behalf of someone else?"

We recognize there may be barriers that prevent someone from submitting an application on their own without help. You may submit an application on behalf of someone else only if you are working directly with the applicant and clearly reference their involvement in completing the application. (For example, if you are providing technological support, language translation, or other assistance on behalf of the applicant, please note your role and that the applicant is still the primary author of their responses.) However, you may not submit an application without the applicant's involvement. (For example, applying for a loved one without their knowledge.) While we understand the desire to surprise someone with a grant, our process builds on the fundamental idea that trans people are our own best advocates: we want to ensure that this belief is reflected throughout the application process.

"Can I apply if I'm currently enrolled with my chosen provider, or if I've used them or another provider in the past?"
Yes, you are still eligible to apply.
  • For current customers: if awarded funding, your 12-month grant period will go into effect immediately. Billing will pause for the duration of the grant period, and will resume again when the grant period ends.
  • For past customers: if awarded funding, your account will be reactivated, and your 12-month grant period will go into effect for your next billing cycle and continue for 12 months. When the grant period ends, billing will resume. (You may have to re-authorize your payment details on file in order to continue your subscription.)
"Can you help me pick which provider is right for me?"
Unfortunately, no. Our team cannot provide personalized recommendations at this time. Choosing which telehealth service is right for you a highly individualized decision. Therefore, you will ultimately be the best judge of who your provider should be. We recommend you read about each of our providers to learn about their differences and make the right decision.
"Can I select more than one provider?"
No. As part of our application period, we require you select the provider you wish to work with. Your choice on which provider you choose will not impact your likelihood of being selected as a recipient.
"If awarded a grant, can I switch providers?"
There may be instances where recipients want to (or need to) switch telehealth providers based on changing life circumstances or transition needs that impact healthcare coverage. We will evaluate these requests on a case-by-case basis.
"What will happen if I'm awarded and my state bans HRT or other gender-affirming care? "
Point of Pride meets regularly with our care providers to ensure ongoing access to care to the best of our ability. In the event that your state passes legislation limiting your access to gender affirming care, especially HRT, we will reach out to you on a case-by-case basis letting you know what our plan is to assist you. Unfortunately because of the state-by-state nature of these laws, it is difficult for us to make preparations until laws are in the works and we have the opportunity to read the text and determine its impact.
"Can I apply for my care while being a support person for someone else's application?"
Yes, you can be both an applicant for your own application and a support person for someone else's application during the same cycle.
"I've received support from Point of Pride in the past. Can I apply?"
Yes, you can apply if you have already received funding or support through any of Point of Pride’s programs. If you received a grant through the Electrolysis Support Fund, you'll be invited to apply for a Renewal Award once you have used at least 90% of your current grant award.

Apply

Applications are currently closed. The next cycle will accept applications in summer 2024.

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Meet past recipients

To date, we have awarded $249,000 in financial assistance.