Yes! You can use AI to fill out Form 2938, Hardship Withdrawal Request
This form is a formal application submitted to a plan administrator, such as Transamerica, to request a hardship withdrawal from a retirement savings plan. It requires the participant to provide personal details, specify the amount needed, and prove an immediate and heavy financial need by selecting a qualifying reason and providing supporting documentation. Completing this form accurately is crucial for accessing funds during a financial emergency while complying with plan and IRS regulations. Today, this form can be filled out quickly and accurately using AI-powered services like Instafill.ai, which can also convert non-fillable PDF versions into interactive fillable forms.
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Form specifications
| Form name: | Form 2938, Hardship Withdrawal Request |
| Number of pages: | 1 |
| Language: | English |
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How to Fill Out Form 2938 Online for Free in 2026
Are you looking to fill out a FORM 2938 form online quickly and accurately? Instafill.ai offers the #1 AI-powered PDF filling software of 2026, allowing you to complete your FORM 2938 form in just 37 seconds or less.
Follow these steps to fill out your FORM 2938 form online using Instafill.ai:
- 1 Navigate to Instafill.ai and upload or select the Hardship Withdrawal Request form.
- 2 Use the AI assistant to automatically fill in your personal details and plan sponsor information, such as your name, address, Social Security Number, and plan contract number.
- 3 Enter the total withdrawal amount you are requesting and indicate the specific reason for your hardship by checking the appropriate box.
- 4 Upload the required supporting documentation for your claim, such as medical bills, eviction notices, or purchase agreements, as prompted by the system.
- 5 Select your preferred payment option (Direct Deposit or Check) and make your federal and state tax withholding elections.
- 6 Carefully review all entered information for accuracy. Electronically sign the form, and if applicable, follow the prompts to obtain and attach your spouse's notarized consent.
- 7 Download the completed, signed form package, ready for submission to Transamerica via mail or fax as instructed.
Our AI-powered system ensures each field is filled out correctly, reducing errors and saving you time.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Form Form 2938
This form is used to request a withdrawal from your Appalachian Regional Healthcare, Inc. Thrift Plan due to an immediate and heavy financial need. It must be completed and submitted to Transamerica for approval.
You may be eligible if you have a qualifying financial need and have already exhausted all other available withdrawal and loan options from your plan. The specific criteria are outlined in the plan's documents.
Approved reasons include preventing foreclosure or eviction, purchasing a principal residence, paying for post-secondary education, and covering certain unpaid medical or funeral expenses. You may also request a withdrawal for repairing qualifying damage to your primary home.
You must provide specific supporting documentation for your hardship, such as a foreclosure notice, a signed home purchase contract, an unpaid tuition bill, or unpaid medical bills. The form provides a detailed list of required documents for each situation.
You can choose Direct Deposit (ACH) for the fastest delivery, which generally arrives within two business days of processing, or you can opt to receive a paper check by mail. Processing begins after Transamerica receives and approves your completed application.
Yes, if you are married, your spouse must sign the 'Spousal Consent' section in the presence of a Notary Public. This signature is required to waive their right to survivor benefits for the amount you are withdrawing.
A Medallion Signature Guarantee is a special signature verification stamp from a financial institution, which is more secure than a notary. It is required for any withdrawal request of $150,000 or more to protect against fraudulent transactions.
Hardship withdrawals are considered taxable income and may be subject to a 10% early withdrawal penalty if you are under age 59 1/2. The form allows you to specify your federal and state tax withholding preferences.
Yes, after receiving a hardship distribution, you are prohibited from making any contributions to the plan for at least six months.
You can mail the completed form and all required documents to Transamerica at 6400 C Street SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52499, or fax it to 833-200-9987.
Yes, the form indicates that a $25.00 hardship withdrawal processing fee will be applied to this transaction.
If your requested amount is more than your available vested balance, Transamerica will process the withdrawal for the maximum amount available in your account.
Yes, services like Instafill.ai use AI to accurately auto-fill form fields with your personal information, which can save you time and help prevent errors.
You can use a service like Instafill.ai, which converts flat, non-fillable PDFs into interactive forms. This allows you to easily type your information directly onto the document online before printing.
Simply upload the PDF form to the Instafill.ai platform. The AI will make the form fillable and help you populate the fields, after which you can download the completed document for printing, signing, and submission.
Compliance Form 2938
Validation Checks by Instafill.ai
1
Validates Social Security Number Format
This check ensures the Social Security Number (SSN) is entered as nine digits, conforming to a valid format (XXX-XX-XXXX or XXXXXXXXX). This is critical for accurate participant identification, account lookup, and tax reporting to the IRS. An invalid or incomplete SSN will cause the form submission to fail, as the participant's account cannot be located or verified.
2
Validates Date of Birth Format and Plausibility
This validation confirms the Date of Birth is entered in the required MM/DD/YYYY format and represents a plausible age for a plan participant (e.g., over 18). This is important for identity verification and for determining if early withdrawal tax penalties apply (e.g., under age 59 1/2). An invalid format or an illogical date will halt processing until the error is corrected.
3
Requires Selection of a Hardship Reason
This check ensures that the participant has selected at least one of the checkboxes indicating the specific reason for the hardship withdrawal. This selection is mandatory as it defines the nature of the financial need and determines the specific supporting documentation required for approval under IRS regulations. A form submitted without a selected reason is incomplete and will be rejected.
4
Verifies Attachment of Supporting Documentation
This validation confirms that document files have been attached to the submission to substantiate the selected hardship reason. The form explicitly states that documentation such as medical bills, eviction notices, or purchase contracts is required. A request lacking the necessary proof will be considered incomplete and denied pending the submission of the correct documents.
5
Conditional Check for Medallion Signature Guarantee
This rule verifies that if the requested withdrawal amount is $150,000 or greater, the Medallion Signature Guarantee section has been properly completed by a financial institution. This is a high-level security measure to protect against fraudulent transactions involving large sums of money. Failure to provide the guarantee for a large withdrawal will result in the request being rejected until the original form with the proper guarantee is physically mailed.
6
Validates Spousal Consent for Married Participants
This check confirms that if the participant is married, the 'Spousal Consent' section is signed by the spouse, dated, and witnessed by a Notary Public or Plan Sponsor. This is a legal requirement to ensure the spouse waives their right to survivor benefits for the withdrawn amount. A request from a married participant without a valid, witnessed spousal consent is legally incomplete and will be rejected.
7
Ensures Completeness of Direct Deposit Information
This rule checks that if the 'Direct Deposit (ACH)' option is selected, the bank account type, routing number, account number, and a required attachment (like a voided check or bank letter) are all provided. This information is essential for the electronic transfer of funds. If this information is incomplete, missing, or illegible, the payment will default to a paper check mailed to the address of record, delaying receipt of funds.
8
Verifies Participant Name Matches Bank Account Name
This validation cross-references the name on the attached voided check or bank letter with the participant's name on the form. This is a critical anti-fraud measure to prevent funds from being illegally diverted to a third-party account. A name mismatch will result in the rejection of the direct deposit request and may trigger a security review of the account.
9
Requires Notarization for Alternate Mailing Address
This check confirms that if an alternate address is provided for 'Overnight Mail Delivery', the participant's signature on that section is notarized. This is a security protocol to prevent a fraudulent request to redirect a physical check to an unauthorized address. If an alternate address is listed without a notarized signature, the request will be rejected.
10
Validates Timeliness of Foreclosure/Eviction Documentation
For hardships related to foreclosure or eviction, this rule checks that the date of the event on the notice is at least 3-4 business days in the future. This is required to ensure there is sufficient time to process the withdrawal and deliver the funds before the event occurs. A notice for a past date or a date too close to the submission will result in the request being denied as it cannot be processed in time.
11
Validates Recency of Medical Expense Documentation
For hardships related to medical expenses, this check verifies that the date on the provided unpaid medical bill is within the last 90 days. This rule ensures the financial need is current and immediate, which is a core requirement for a hardship withdrawal. Submitting an outdated bill will cause the documentation to be rejected and the request denied until a current bill is provided.
12
Confirms Participant Signature and Date are Present
This is a fundamental check to ensure the participant has signed and dated the request, legally attesting to the information provided and authorizing the transaction. A missing signature or date renders the entire form invalid and demonstrates a lack of participant authorization. The request will be immediately rejected until a properly signed form is received.
13
Requires Proof of Relationship for Non-Self Hardship
This check is triggered if the hardship is for a spouse, child, dependent, or primary beneficiary. It verifies that proof of relationship (e.g., marriage certificate, birth certificate, tax return) has been attached as required by the instructions. This ensures the withdrawal complies with plan rules, and failure to provide proof will lead to the request being denied.
Common Mistakes in Completing Form 2938
This is a primary reason for delays and denials. Applicants often submit documents that do not meet the plan's strict criteria, such as providing a medical Explanation of Benefits (EOB) instead of an actual unpaid bill, or a foreclosure notice that is not signed. To avoid this, carefully review the 'Safe Harbor Hardship Withdrawal Instructions' and provide the exact documentation requested for your specific hardship, ensuring all dates, amounts, and signatures are present and legible.
If the participant is married, their spouse must sign the consent form, and the signature must be witnessed by a Notary Public or Plan Sponsor. This is a legal waiver of survivor benefits for the withdrawn amount and is frequently missed or done incorrectly. An incomplete spousal consent section will cause the entire application to be rejected, forcing you to start the process over.
To receive funds electronically, you must attach a voided check with a pre-printed name and address, a qualifying deposit slip, or a formal bank letter; handwritten information is not accepted. Many people forget this attachment or provide an invalid document, which forces the payment to be issued as a physical check. This can delay receipt of urgently needed funds by a week or more.
Applicants often request the exact amount of their financial need (e.g., $5,000) but forget that mandatory taxes will be withheld, resulting in a smaller net payment. By not checking the box to 'gross-up' the distribution, the amount you receive may be insufficient to cover your expense. Always check this box if you need the full requested amount after taxes are paid.
For large withdrawals of $150,000 or more, a Medallion Signature Guarantee is required, which is a higher-level verification from a financial institution. Applicants often obtain a standard notarization, which is not sufficient and will lead to rejection. To avoid this, contact your bank or broker-dealer specifically for a Medallion Signature Guarantee and ensure it is stamped in the correct section of the form.
The form has strict time limits for documentation, such as medical bills being dated within the last 90 days or eviction notices having a future action date. Applicants often submit older documents they have on hand, not realizing they are invalid for the application. This results in an automatic rejection, requiring the applicant to obtain current documentation and resubmit, significantly delaying the process.
When the hardship is for a spouse, child, or other dependent, you must submit documentation proving the relationship, such as a marriage certificate, birth certificate, or the relevant page of your tax return. Applicants frequently overlook this requirement, which puts the application on hold. Always include this proof to prevent unnecessary delays in processing your request.
The instructions state that for distributions of $50,000 or more, or if the spousal consent notary stamp is not clear, the original form with 'wet signatures' must be mailed. Many people default to faxing for convenience, causing their request to be rejected. AI-powered tools like Instafill.ai can help prevent this by providing clear, context-aware submission instructions based on the user's entries.
Simple typos in a Social Security Number, an incorrect date of birth, or an old mailing address can cause failed identity verification or lead to funds being sent to the wrong place. These errors often happen when rushing through the form. Since this is a non-fillable PDF, using a tool like Instafill.ai can convert it into an interactive version, helping to ensure data is entered correctly and validated before submission.
A surprisingly common mistake is forgetting to sign or date the form in all required locations, including the main participant signature line and the separate Distribution Payment Options form. An unsigned or undated form is considered incomplete and will not be processed. Always perform a final review to ensure every signature and date line is filled out correctly before submitting.
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