Retiree Medical Grants

The Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions provides need-based grants of up to $2,500 once every three years to eligible Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) retirees, their spouses, or their surviving spouses for dental services and/or hearing aids. These services and supplies are not covered by Medicare or the Medicare Supplement Plan. Retiree Medical Grants are provided as reimbursements for documented, eligible expenses after services are rendered.

Who’s eligible?

To qualify, you must

• be age 65 or older;
• be receiving a retirement or survivor's pension from the Benefits Plan;
• have 20 or more years of service to the PC(USA) and a commensurate period of participation in the Pension Plan;
• have total annual household income that is less than the congregational ministers' median ($59,100 for 2019); and
• be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B and in a Medicare Supplement plan or Medicare Advantage Plan.

You must be able to document the cost of the dental services and/or hearing aids along with any coverage (or lack of coverage) available through your medical coverage.

Amount

Each eligible retiree, spouse, or surviving spouse may receive one grant of up to $2,500, once every three years.

Maximizing reimbursement

The grant is paid as a single reimbursement up to $2,500 for eligible expenses once every three years. You may apply to be reimbursed for a single expense or a combination of eligible expenses. To maximize reimbursement, wait until your receipts amount to or approach $2,500. Services must be incurred on or after July 1, 2019.

Examples

1. You apply for and receive a grant for $1,200 for dental expenses incurred September 2019. You may apply for another grant of up to $2,500 in three years (September 2022).
2. You incur dental expenses of $1,100 in December 2019, and the dentist says you need additional dental work. You incur $1,250 in dental expenses in February 2020. You apply for and receive a Retiree Medical Grant for $2,350 in March 2020. You may apply for another grant of up to $2,500 in three years (March 2023).
3. You incur dental expenses of $750 in January 2020. Anticipating a need for hearing aids, you do not apply for the grant for the dental expenses because you may only apply once in three years. In May 2020, you incur a $3,800 expense for hearing aids. You apply for and receive a Retiree Medical Grant of $2,500 in May 2020. You may apply for another grant of up to $2,500 in three years (May 2023).

Requesting pre-approval

Before you incur an expense and apply for a grant, you may request the Board predetermine whether the expense and financial need qualify for a Retiree Medical Grant. Simply submit an application with a copy of the itemized, estimated costs.

If you are pre-approved, submit your receipt(s) after you receive the itemized services and the Board will reimburse you the allowed amount.

How to apply

• Complete the Retiree Medical Grant Application.
• Submit the application and required documentation to the Board of Pensions for review and decision.
• Be sure to include receipts for expenses.

The Board considers applicants’ financial and personal needs and resources when considering requests for assistance.