The Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions provides grants to assist with emergency or unexpected needs for which eligible members of the Benefits Plan of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) do not have the necessary funds.
The Board of Pensions is unable to receive and process mail at this time while our offices are closed. To apply for a grant, email your completed application form to memberservices@pensions.org. If you have any questions, please contact us.
“Your compassionate understanding of our stressful financial circumstances is testimony to God’s mercy and grace.”
Emergency Assistance is a one-time grant available to individuals for emergency or unexpected needs, such as a family emergency, custodial care at home, or any number of special situations beyond Benefits Plan or other coverage. This assistance is initiated by a mid council, employer, or multiple bodies of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), which typically share with the Assistance Program in the cost of the grant. In extraordinary circumstances, the Board of Pensions may consider requests from congregations and mid councils for Emergency Assistance that falls outside these parameters.
The Board considers applicants’ financial and personal needs and resources before distributing assistance.
To qualify, you must have an emergency or unexpected financial need and
The amounts awarded vary with the need. Grants range from a few hundred dollars to $5,000 each. An individual may be awarded emergency assistance of no more than $15,000 in a 12-month period.
If you think you may qualify for Emergency Assistance, speak with your employer or, if you are a minister, contact your mid council. Your employer or mid council must complete and sign the Emergency Assistance Application and submit it to the Board of Pensions at the address on the form, along with documentation of the specific need and resources available for the total amount requested.
Employers and mid councils are typically expected to share equally in the provision of the grant. Employers and mid councils who are unable to do so must provide a statement indicating why emergency or benevolence funds are not available to assist with the grant. The Board of Pensions will consult with the employer or mid council to confirm the need for assistance and ensure that resources for Emergency Assistance have been exhausted and no community resources are available.
In the event you are affected by a natural disaster, contact your employer or mid council. They will need to provide their Board of Pensions Church Consultant with the number of employees affected. The Board will make Emergency Assistance decisions after receiving information on the magnitude of the need. Group grants for natural disasters are available to PC(USA) employers only, who manage their distribution.
The Board of Pensions does not approve requests that seek to
Call the Board at 800-773-7752 (800-PRESPLAN).