Policy
How ZIP Code Eligibility Works
EPIC Communities uses ZIP codes to organize Community Partners, local promotions, Community Partner Funds, service areas, and location-specific opportunities.
Every Community Partner has one approved Primary ZIP. How that ZIP is determined depends on whether the partner serves customers from a permanent location, travels to customers, or operates under a combination of both models.
A Community Partner's ZIP code helps EPIC organize opportunities. It does not necessarily limit who may become that partner's customer.
One Primary ZIP
Every Community Partner must have one approved Primary ZIP.
The Primary ZIP is used to organize the partner's profile, Community Partner Fund, promotions, and geographic eligibility records.
A Primary ZIP does not automatically mean that funding is available or that every resident of that ZIP qualifies for an award.
Businesses With a Permanent Location
A stationary business primarily serves customers from a permanent, customer-facing location.
Examples include restaurants, bars, barber shops, salons, retail stores, dealerships, offices, studios, and other storefront businesses.
The business's Primary ZIP will normally be the ZIP code of its approved customer-facing location.
A customer may qualify for an opportunity that must be used with that Community Partner even when the customer lives outside the partner's ZIP, unless the specific opportunity includes a residency requirement.
Mobile and Service-Area Businesses
A mobile or service-area business performs work at customers' homes, businesses, job sites, or other service locations.
Examples include lawncare companies, roofers, plumbers, electricians, cleaning services, contractors, mobile mechanics, and delivery-based businesses.
A mobile business must select one Primary ZIP representing the principal community in which it regularly operates. It may also list additional ZIP codes within its ordinary service area.
For some opportunities, eligibility will be determined by the ZIP code where the approved service is actually performed rather than the business's mailing address.
Businesses With Both a Location and a Service Area
Some businesses serve customers from a permanent location and also provide services at customer locations.
These businesses may be classified as hybrid businesses.
A hybrid business must identify its approved customer-facing location, Primary ZIP, and any additional ZIP codes in which it ordinarily performs mobile services.
The applicable eligibility rule will depend on the requirements of the specific opportunity.
A Service ZIP Is Not Automatically an Active Opportunity ZIP
A mobile or hybrid Community Partner may list the ZIP codes where it ordinarily provides services. These ZIP codes make up the partner's declared service area.
Listing a ZIP code does not automatically guarantee that funding, awards, promotions, or Community Partner Fund benefits are currently available in that ZIP.
Community Grant Awards are administered by EPIC and depend on funding, verification, program rules, and approval.
Community Partner-Specific Opportunities
A Community Partner-specific opportunity is intended to help an eligible person complete an approved transaction with a designated Community Partner.
The funds must be used with the Community Partner named in the opportunity unless EPIC expressly approves another arrangement.
The customer is not automatically required to live in the partner's Primary ZIP unless the opportunity specifically includes a residency requirement.
Resident-Specific Opportunities
A resident-specific opportunity is limited to eligible people who live within one or more designated ZIP codes.
EPIC may require reasonable proof of residency.
Some opportunities may require both:
- That the recipient live in a designated ZIP code; and
- That the funds be used with a designated Community Partner.
The requirements for each opportunity will be stated when the opportunity is announced.
Businesses With Multiple Locations
Each separate permanent business location will normally require its own Community Partner profile, Primary ZIP, Community Partner Fund record, promotional record, and eligibility record.
EPIC may approve a coordinated multi-location arrangement. However, funding and promotional activity may still be tracked separately for each location.
Community Partner Fund Status
Becoming a Community Partner establishes the partner's participation record, but it does not guarantee that funds will immediately be available.
A Community Partner Fund may display one of the following statuses:
All awards, reimbursements, payments, and promotions remain subject to available funding, verification, and the rules of the specific opportunity.
Review the Opportunity Requirements
Every EPIC opportunity may have its own eligibility, residency, service-location, transaction, documentation, and funding requirements.
Review the complete requirements before making a purchase, scheduling a service, authorizing work, or relying on an anticipated EPIC payment.
When the published rules for a specific opportunity differ from the general ZIP Code Eligibility Policy, the rules for that specific opportunity will control.
Acknowledgment
By applying for, accepting, or using an EPIC opportunity, you acknowledge that eligibility is subject to available funding, verification, the general EPIC Communities ZIP Code Eligibility Policy, and the published requirements of the specific opportunity.