All team members have access to two free support programs through Sun Life. You don't enroll, you don't pay copays, and you don't need to tell your manager to use them. Here's the quick version, and then how each one works.
GuidanceResources® (EAP) — provided by ComPsych
Confidential counseling, legal & financial advice, and help navigating life stuff — kids, elders, moving, divorce, debt, grief, anxiety, sleep, you name it.
Assist America® — Global emergency and ID theft assistance
From travel emergencies to identity theft concerns, support is available when life takes an unexpected turn. Assist America connects you to 24/7 travel assistance when you’re away from home, along with identity theft support to help you recover and protect your information.
GuidanceResources®—the EAP
Think of this as a single phone number for the curveballs life throws. One call connects you to a trained counselor who can talk through what you're facing, or route you to a lawyer, a financial coach, a childcare resource, or whatever else you need. You don't have to be in crisis to call. In fact, most people use it for exactly the ordinary, stressful stuff.
Everything is confidential. EMC never gets a report with names, notes, or session details.
Call: 877-595-5281
Visit: guidanceresources.com (ID: EAPBUSINESS)
Confidential counseling
- Anxiety, depression, stress
- Grief and loss
- Big life adjustments
- Relationship or marital conflicts
Work and life support
- Finding child, elder, or pet care
- Moving and relocation
- Shelters and government assistance
Legal guidance
- Divorce, adoption, family law
- Wills, trusts, estate planning
- Free consultation and discounted local representation
Financial resources
- Financial planning
- Retirement
- Taxes
- Mortgages and insurance
- Budgeting, debt, and bankruptcy
Digital tools and self-care
- On-demand articles, videos, and trainings
- Guided programs for anxiety, stress, mindfulness, and sleep
Immediate connection
- Live support any time, day or night
- Same phone number whether your question is big or small
A few examples of when people call:
Your kid is struggling and you don't know where to start
Maybe it's school, anxiety, or a tough friend group. The EAP can connect you with a counselor—for you, for them, or both—and help you figure out next steps.
You're suddenly the one caring for an aging parent
They can help you find elder care options, understand Medicare, locate local services, and deal with the emotional weight of it.
You need a lawyer but don't know a lawyer
Free 30-minute consultation with a local attorney on most topics, plus discounted rates if you hire them. This is a great benefit to use for wills, landlord issues, and family law questions.
Your finances are keeping you up at night
A financial coach can walk you through a budget, help you think through debt, talk about retirement, or discuss a mortgage.
Assist America® — support when the unexpected happens
Whether you’re traveling or dealing with a situation closer to home, you have access to services designed to help in difficult moments. Assist America is there when you’re 100+ miles from home or outside the U.S. for up to 90 days, providing 24/7 emergency travel assistance. You also have support for issues like identity theft, with resources to help you respond quickly and protect your information.
- You need a doctor in a place you don't know
- Call the Operations Center and they'll give you vetted hospital and physician referrals, help get you admitted, and stay in touch with the medical team on your behalf.
- Local care isn't good enough for what you're dealing with
- If appropriate care isn't available where you are, Assist America arranges and pays for medical evacuation to the nearest qualified facility. When you're ready to come home, they handle medical repatriation too, with an escort if needed.
- You left your prescription at home
- They'll contact your prescribing physician and coordinate a replacement at a local pharmacy. (You pay for the medication itself.)
- You're hospitalized alone and far from family
- If you're expected to be in the hospital more than seven days while traveling solo, they arrange and pay for a family member or friend to fly out and be with you.
- Something happened to you and your kids are with you
- If you're injured and your minor children are left unattended, they'll arrange travel home to a family member or coordinate childcare on-site.
- Passport, luggage, or documents lost or stolen
- They help with replacement logistics, embassy locator, interpreter, and legal referrals, emergency cash coordination, and even bail bond support.
- Your car is stuck somewhere because of an emergency
- If a medical emergency leaves your vehicle stranded, Assist America will arrange and pay to return your personal vehicle home.
Also included through Assist America: SecurAssist®, a team of identity theft experts who help prevent, and recover from, identity fraud. You can register up to 10 credit or debit cards in advance so they can act fast if any are lost or stolen.
Common questions
Is the EAP really confidential? Will my manager know I called?
Yes, it's confidential. Your employer receives only aggregate usage data (no names, no details). Calls are covered by health privacy protections. You can call on the clock or off, on your work phone or personal — it stays between you and the counselor.
Do I have to pay anything?
No. The EAP and Assist America are both 100% paid for by your employer. The only exceptions are things that were always going to cost money — like the medication itself if Assist America replaces a lost prescription, or the hourly rate if you hire an attorney after your free EAP consultation (at a discounted rate).
How many counseling sessions do I get through the EAP?
Your EAP includes a set number of confidential short-term sessions per issue. When you call, the counselor will confirm your specific allotment. If longer-term care is a better fit, they'll help you find an in-network therapist under your health plan.
Can my family use these programs too?
Yes — both programs generally extend to your household members and dependents. When you call, just let them know you're calling on behalf of a family member.
What counts as “100+ miles from home” for Assist America?
Exactly what it sounds like: Your legal residence is your home base. If you're more than 100 miles away, domestically or internationally, you're covered — for trips up to 90 days. Anything longer isn't covered under this program.
Do I need to register or sign up in advance?
For the EAP and Assist America emergency services, no — you just call when you need them. For ID Theft Protection, it helps to register your cards in advance so they can respond instantly if one is stolen.
What if my situation doesn't fit any of these?
Call anyway. These programs are built for exactly the “I'm not sure if this fits…” moment. They'll either help directly or point you somewhere that can.
