Provided by STEVE IMMITT, chair
This year the Committee received no new applications for financial assistance.
Many potential applicants may not even be aware of the financial assistance opportunities provided by US Chess to professional players. At the very least there should be a link on the US Chess website to an online application, as well as instructions on how to apply and what the eligibility criteria and restrictions are. This could be supplemented by a general email to eligible titled players advising them of the existence of the US Chess Professional Players’ Health And Benefits Fund, with a link to the online application.
The funding for the Committee’s previous grants of financial assistance has traditionally come from organizers and Tournament Directors, in the form of payments made in conjunction with the tournament rating fees. These payments are primarily made for Grand Prix tournaments, to augment the level of Grand Prix Points awarded by the tournament to the top finishers. On occasion, additional smaller contributions have also been included with the rating fee payments for smaller events as well.
The Committee’s previous Chairman, IM John Donaldson, summarized matters well when he reported:
“This amount has made the difference in many ways, from providing physical therapy not covered by medical insurance to supplying a safety net for those in danger of being forced to live on the street. The aim with the latter has been not only to meet a short term need, but also find a long term solution. This has included assisting individuals apply for Veterans Benefits, SSI or state and county programs as appropriate. All those granted assistance were able to get back on their feet and lead productive lives.
The Professional Players’ Health and Benefit Fund is grateful to the many tournament organizers who have provided support throughout the years. The $1 per player per event voluntary donation in return for enhanced Grand Prix status has provided much good.”
With the implementation of the new IT programming in conjunction with the new US Chess website, it is hoped that we may be able to identify and acknowledge some of the individuals and organizations which contribute to the Health And Benefits Fund in the future.
While these contributions are most welcome, it is also essential to seek out contributions for our important objectives on a larger scale as well.
Many potential donors (not just large corporations but also Tournament Directors and organizers of smaller events as well) may also be unaware of the sponsorship opportunities provided by US Chess to help professional chess players or might not have seriously considered the possibility before. Corporations especially would be ready to seek out such opportunities to support the worthy cause of assisting players in need, and of the positive recognition they would achieve by doing so. In light of the anticipated increase in applications for assistance which would be expected from better advertising of the potential help available, we clearly need to undertake a broader outreach to these groups to let people know more about us!
It is also imperative when an applicant receives a donation from US Chess that his or her eligibility for additional grants or entitlements (such as Medicaid, SSI, etc.) not be jeopardized as a result. It would hardly benefit someone to receive a grant from US Chess, if that person’s eligibility for much greater coverage from Medicaid, for example, were jeopardized. To this end, the Committee should work together with the Executive Board to structure a recipient’s payments to optimize and work in conjunction with his or her overall package of benefits. That said, it is also of paramount importance that the applicants’ right to privacy be protected during the review process.
The $10,000 lifetime limitation on a grant from US Chess to a specific individual was more appropriate when the PPHB Fund was first established in the previous millennium. In the ensuing years, the expenses for medical treatments have increased dramatically. However, the balance of the Fund has also increased as well. In 2022 the Delegates approved increasing the lifetime limit in cases where it is warranted by specific circumstances. This year, the Committee and the Executive Board unanimously approved increasing the lifetime payment limit for the individual applicant previously approved.
US Chess has paid $8,664.35 in covered expenses in this past fiscal year for the one applicant approved by the Committee and the Executive Board. As of May 1st, 2023, the PPHBF had $23,663.68 in the checking account, while the invested portion of the Fund had a value of approximately $147,869.08 as of March 1st. The total value of the US Chess Professional Players’ Health And Benefits Fund was $170,978.16 as of the end of the third quarter of the current fiscal year.
The above numbers are for information purposes, as this committee only handles claims, it does not manage the funds. For details on the fund management, including year-end balances, please consult the Vice President of Finance’s annual report.
Once again, it cannot be overstated how much it behooves US Chess to look after its aging generation of professionals. We certainly owe these players a big debt of gratitude for their collective support over the decades.
The Professional Players’ Health And Benefits Claims Committee is grateful for the support of the Delegates, the Executive Board and the US Chess Office staff in its efforts.
Respectfully submitted for the US Chess Professional Players’ Health And Benefits Claims Committee (WGM Anjelina Belakovskaia, IM John Donaldson, IM Anthony Saidy, M.D.)
