If you are an agent or other representative of an agency making a request on behalf of a client, please click here.
Direct Individual Requesters
Setting goals is vital for personal growth. The primary mission of The Options Network (TON) is to support individuals with limited resources in reaching their goals and making meaningful impacts on their lives. For instance, TON may provide financial assistance for obtaining training in a new career or acquiring necessary equipment or attire for a job. Additionally, it may help in procuring components, tools, etc., to facilitate learning new skills that can lead to improved employment opportunities.
If you are facing circumstances like those described, TON encourages you to submit a Request.
Prior to submitting a Request, it is important to consider the following essential guidelines.
For TON to provide assistance:
- The applicant/requester must be 18 or older years of age.
- The purpose of the request must be legal under all local, city, state and federal laws.
- TON will not fund the purchase of vehicles
- TON will only consider assisting in ways that will ultimately be of benefit to the Requester’s life.
What are examples of items that TON would not consider for funding?
TON would generally not provide money for items such as rent/mortgage or utility payments, groceries, automobile purchase or insurance.
What are some examples of items that TON would consider funding?
The Options Network offers assistance in unconventional ways that may not typically be provided by other agencies. For instance:
-covering course fees
-reimbursing college book expenses
-providing tools or materials to acquire a new skill for starting a career, launching a business, or securing a job
-supplying uniforms or items required for a new job
-covering childcare or babysitting fees to allow time for job applications or entrance exams
Once a Request has been approved, payment will be made on behalf of requester directly to corresponding entities; i.e. tuition paid directly to college, certification fees paid directly to Department of Professional Regulations, etc. TON may purchase items to be shipped directly to requester.
TON has limited resources and funding may not be available for all requests.
TON’ support is primarily for the Pasco, Pinellas, Hernando, and Hillsborough Counties of Florida. There may be special consideration to honor requests outside of the area.
TON is open to considering unusual requests; however, applicants must specify their goal, outline their plan for achieving it, and clearly identify what is needed to turn their aspiration into reality.
Review The Options Network FAQ pages for more details.
The general Request process, managed via the TON website, is as follows:
- Submit a Request.
- Requester will receive an email from TON confirming receipt of Request and indicating it is under review.
- Requester will be notified by email regarding the status of request: accepted as submitted, requiring further information for approval, or rejected.
- If accepted, TON will initiate arrangements for payment on behalf of requester.
- Requester will be informed via email about the timing and method of payment.
- Upon confirmation of payment or receipt of physical items, the requester submits an update confirming receipt.
- Upon receiving confirmation, Request is marked as completed.
- TON encourages recipients of assistance to log back into the system and provide feedback on the process and how they have progressed due to receiving assistance.
Steps to make a Request:
- Click here to register.
- After registering, login to the TON Request Interface.
- Click on the New Request button.
- Fill out all relevant fields. Note some fields are mandatory.
- When complete, click Submit button.
- Once successfully submitted, requester will receive a confirmation email.
- A request can be reviewed and/or modified at any time.