Monthly housing supplements help eligible retirees to remain in their homes or move to retirement facilities.
“I am so grateful for the Board's help with housing costs ... Giving and receiving — that's what 'church' is all about.”
A 74-year-old retired church worker, Mr. Adams, served the PC(USA) and participated in the Pension Plan for 22 years. He now lives in an independent living unit of a retirement community.
Mr. Adams' total retirement income is $32,000 a year ($2,667 per month), which is below the $44,325 a year maximum in 2019 ($45,600 in 2020). His assets add up to nearly $17,500, which is below the $25,000 maximum allowable for a single person in an independent living unit of a retirement community. His total housing expenses are $1,550 per month, which is below the $1,800 maximum monthly housing expenses considered for this grant.
Under the program, Mr. Adams will contribute 40 percent of his total monthly income, or $1,067 per month ($2,667 x .4 = $1,067). The difference between his total housing expenses ($1,550) and 40 percent of his monthly income ($1,067) is $483.
The Assistance Program would provide Mr. Adams with a monthly Housing Supplement of $483.
The Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions provides monthly Housing Supplements to eligible retired Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) ministers and employees and their surviving spouses in need so they may remain in their own homes or move to retirement facilities in locations of their choice.
Housing Supplements are ongoing, unless the recipient's financial circumstances change.
In addition, depending on the levels of personal income and assets, retired plan members ages 65 or older may receive one-time financial assistance, paid in a lump sum, to help with the entrance fee to a retirement home.
To qualify, retired members or surviving spouses must
| Housing Supplement guidelines | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your living situation | Maximum total assets allowed | Maximum monthly housing expenses considered by Assistance Program | Percentage of your income to be contributed toward housing expenses | |
| Single | Couple | |||
| Home or apartment in the general community | $35,000 | $50,000 | $1,300 | 40% |
| Independent living unit in a retirement community | $25,000 | $40,000 | $1,800 | 40% |
| Congregate living unit (separate living quarters, no cooking facilities) in a retirement community | $25,000 | $40,000 | $2,700 | 67% |
| Assisted living unit in a retirement community | $20,000 | $35,000 | $4,000 | 67% |
*Partial supplementation may be available for those with at least 10 but fewer than 20 years of service to the PC(USA), during which they participated in the pension portion of the Benefits Plan.
These additional factors may affect your eligibility for a Housing Supplement.
You will receive years-of-service credit for any years of total disability under the plan.
Personal assets are a significant consideration in determining Housing Supplement eligibility, as the Assistance Program expects members to first use their own income and assets to maintain their quality of life.
The Board assumes you have secured alternate protection if you are not receiving Social Security benefits.
The amount of support you may receive depends on your total income from all sources, your assets, and your marital status. See Housing Supplement guidelines chart.
In addition to monthly Housing Supplements, you may be eligible to receive a lump-sum Housing Supplement of up to $20,000 to help pay the entrance fee to a continuing care retirement community. To qualify, your total assets minus the entrance fee must be less than the maximum total assets allowed.
Call the Board at 800-773-7752 (800-PRESPLAN).