Hartist Application
Open Enrollment: January 1-31 and June 1-30
Applicants are only accepted during January and June, but you may review the below requirements any time of year to prepare your documents.
All active Hartists renew during the following January enrollment period, whether they were originally approved in January or June.
A Hartist is an individual with a documented disability and financial need who uses, or would like to use, creative arts to support their overall well-being. The finished art is not the goal. The value begins with having the opportunity to create. Research suggests that participating in creative activities may support health and well-being. Learn more at http://www.disabledartists.org/studies
If approved, a Hartist receives a choice of a quarterly package, which include (but may not be limited to) 1) Jewelry Making 2) Mixed Media 3) Paper Crafting 4) Junk Journal / Booksmithing 5) Fabric/Yarn/Fiber Arts 6) Many other crafts that fall under creative arts. You can review what those choices look like at http://www.disabledartists.org/pick - note: they do change on occasion.
If you’re interested in becoming a Hartist, please review the instructions below and if you qualify, we encourage you to apply in January or June. Each Hartist must be disabled, financially qualify, at least 18 years old and live in the USA. Limit one Hartist per address.
Please note: When submitting your financial documents as proof of low income, we do not accept a Social Security Benefit Cost of Living Adjustment Letter as proof of income. We approve at 125% of the poverty leveL
STEP 1: PROOF OF DISABILITY
The above image is of a sample Benefit Verification Letter demonstrating the recipient qualifies because they are disabled, which is circled red.
You ONLY need ONE of the below to qualify as PROOF YOU ARE DISABLED
(1) Social Security Benefit Verification Letter (only accepted if it says, “You are entitled to monthly disability benefits”) - https://www.ssa.gov/manage-benefits/get-benefit-letter
(2) SSi Statement of Benefits, if you are under 65
A disability statement from your primary care doctor may be accepted when over age 65, or when SSI or SSDI approval has been difficult to obtain
(3) Disability statement from your primary care doctor if over 65 Click here for the form for your doctor. Scan/photograph and upload it as an attachment in your application
STEP 2: LEGAL ID
We also require a USA government-issued ID or Drivers License Showing that you are age 18 or older and live in the United States.
STEP 3: FINANCIAL NEED
You ONLY need ONE of the below to QUALIFY FINANCIALLY (we accept all at 125% poverty level or below. This allows for high cost of living in some areas, but treats all equally)
Supplemental Security Income Statement for this year (this actually covers both your financial proof and proof of disability)
Current SNAP/EBT benefit letter (contact your local Department of Social Services or the agency that manages SNAP in your area)
IRS federal income tax return you filed (last year) that shows you at or below poverty on gross income (Include the required pages showing gross household income and proof that the return was filed)
Medicaid benefit letter for this year
The above are the ONLY forms accepted for proof of financial status.
**Each uploaded file must be 10 MB or smaller. If a PDF is too large, photograph or scan each page separately and upload the images… please make sure every line is filled out, uploaded docs include all pages and all of each page. Each upload needs to be 10mb or smaller. Complete every required field before submitting. An incomplete form may not submit successfully. Please do not email sensitive documents or send them through social media. If we request missing documents after you apply, upload them securely here: https://www.disabledartists.org/hartistdocs Our form below is safe.
*Disability - https://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/AdultListings.htm - at any point in application or annual renewal we may ask for proof from a doctor of your disability.
**Financial Challenges - currently 125% of the Federal Poverty Level
Note:
Hartists agree to dAFi’s Rules of Conduct https://www.disabledartists.org/roc
dAFi reserves the right to approve, decline or discontinue participation according to program eligibility, available resources and the Rules of Conduct.
Hartist support is limited to five years per person so dAFi can continue making space for new applicants.
If you are having any trouble applying, please email help@disabledartists.org