HARDSHIP STATUS PROGRAM What is the Hardship Status Program?   Recognizing that clean-up costs for petroleum contamination may place a financial hardship on some owners, the Petroleum UST Release Compensation Board implemented a Hardship Status Program. What does Hardship Status mean?    If you are granted Hardship Status the review and payment of your claim will be expedited. Please be advised that no application for Hardship Status will be reviewed nor will it be acted upon without an approved determination of claim eligibility.   How long will Hardship Status last?   Approval of Hardship Status allows the owner a period of two years of expedited claim review. Extension of the status will be approved if the financial status of the owner remains the same, however the owner must re-apply for each extension.   Who grants Hardship Status?   The Board acting upon the recommendation of the Fund’s Director makes a determination of Hardship Status. How do I qualify?   When applying for Hardship Status, the owner must submit financial data which would demonstrate a lack of financial ability to finance the clean-up from an eligible release. The financial data required are: two years of federal personal tax returns and/or the federal tax returns of the corporation/partnership/company if different from the responsible person’s, and a listing of all cash assets greater that $1,000. The owner may also include any other records which in the owner’s opinion demonstrate that a financial hardship would result if the owner were to finance clean-up with his/her own cash flow. Keep in mind that even though an owner is approved for a Hardship Status that owner is still required to ensure that clean-up costs submitted in a claim are properly documented, meet regulatory requirements, and are reasonable. How do I get an application?   Applications   Contact the Board   Additional Information   Ohio Administrative Code 3737–1-08(D)