The withdrawals are also subject to state income tax. To initiate a hardship withdrawal, participants complete a Hardship Distribution Request form and submit to Empower.Use this form if you want to: • request a distribution for a financial hardship due to an unforeseeable emergency. For assistance, please contact the Service Center at: 1xxxxxxxxxx. Type of Hardship – Choose one. Necessary to assure that hardship withdrawal requests are consistent with the provisions of IRC. §457. 2. The DROP provides a way for members who are eligible to retire to continue working while receiving a retirement benefit. Refer to your Summary Plan Description for more. If you have any questions about completing this form, or about applying for a withdrawal on your own behalf, please contact Carolina Lopez at (510) 464-6208.