Receiving assistance

Eligibility

Eligibility requirements vary by type of assistance; see the individual pages below for details. Generally, assistance is available to active and retired members of the Benefits Plan of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and surviving spouses. This includes members, both ministers and employees, who serve the Church and members who work for an organization affiliated with the PC(USA), such as senior housing and care facilities, colleges and universities, and camps and conference centers.

All members*

Adoption Assistance of $6,500 per child is provided at the completion of an adoption to help with a portion of their adoption-related expenses, such as agency and attorney fees.  

Emergency Assistance is a one-time grant that addresses emergency or unexpected needs. Groups of members affected by natural disasters may also qualify.

Transition-to-College Assistance helps eligible families of post-high school students. Families can receive up to $3,000 for such things as a computer purchase.

*Includes retirees and surviving spouses.

Retirees

Housing Supplements help eligible retirees and surviving spouses with the cost of remaining in their homes or moving to retirement facilities. Supplements are ongoing unless financial circumstances change.         

Income Supplements help eligible retirees and surviving spouses in need by raising to certain levels the monthly income for those who had earned modest wages. Supplements are ongoing unless financial circumstances change.            

Retiree Medical Grants, in amounts up to $2,500, reimburse retirees, spouses, and surviving spouses who are age 65 or older for dental services and/or hearing aids once every three years.

Ministers in active service

Minister Debt Relief helps ministers pay down debt through financial planning and a grant of up to $10,000 — alleviating financial burden and helping ministers achieve greater well-being.

Minister Educational Debt Assistance helps eligible ministers repay educational debt through student loan debt coaching and grants of up to $25,000. This makes it easier for them to accept a wide range of positions and wholly commit their best gifts to ministry.             

Clergy Wellness Support assists eligible ministers with respite and vocational support, providing up to $5,000 for program and travel fees.

Sabbath Sabbatical Support provides eligible ministers with a portion of the support they need — up to $10,000 — to engage in planned activities for personal and professional renewal.

Members employed by affiliate organizations

Employee Vocation Program grants provide educational debt relief of up to $25,000 to eligible members employed by retirement communities affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

Assistance by the numbers

The Assistance Program is supported through generous donations, including one-half of the Christmas Joy Offering. One-hundred percent of each gift received is used to directly support active and retired members of the Benefits Plan of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

In 2023, the Assistance Program distributed 1,502 grants for a total of approximately $7.6 million in funds.

For more information

If you represent a mid council or employer and know of a PC(USA) minister, employee, retiree, or surviving spouse with a financial need, or if you are a plan member and unsure if you are eligible for assistance, call the Board of Pensions at 800-PRESPLAN (800-773-7752) (TTY: 711) to discuss how we might help.