Emergency Assistance

Support for emergency or unexpected need

If you are in need due to sudden expense or a natural disaster, you may apply directly to the Assistance Program for financial relief. You may consider speaking with your employer or, if you are a minister, your mid council for any shared assistance they may offer. Employers or mid councils are encouraged to share in the cost of Emergency Assistance.

Groups of members affected by a natural disaster may also apply.

The Board considers applicants’ financial and personal needs and resources before distributing assistance.

Amount

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.

Eligibility

To qualify, you must

• have an emergency or unexpected financial need; and
• be employed by a PC(USA) or Korean Presbyterian Church Abroad (KPCA) congregation, mid council, agency, or affiliated organization* and be enrolled for at least one benefit through the Board of Pensions**; or
• receive a retirement or survivor’s pension from the Benefits Plan.

*An affiliated organization includes senior housing and care facilities, colleges and universities, and camps and conference centers.
**Term vested members and those enrolled only in the Employee Assistance Plan are not eligible for Emergency Assistance.

Excluded from consideration

The Board of Pensions does not approve requests that seek to

• subsidize an employer’s responsibility (e.g., ensure an employee receives compensation if the employer cannot pay it);
• substitute for or augment a presbytery’s or employer’s support of a terminated employee (i.e., pay a severance package);
• substitute for unemployment compensation or other programs accessible to the applicant;
• subsidize an individual’s choice to retire before the age of 65 or to opt out of Social Security;
• provide loans to the applicant;
• provide moving expenses, except in certain extreme cases, such as those occasioned by serious, long-term illness, disability, or divorce;
  
• purchase a home or car;
  
• pay for legal fees that seek to address a criminal or civil defense of the applicant or their family members, or if the proceeding is against the Board of Pensions or any of its active employers, officers, directors, or employees;
  
• pay for routine home or car maintenance;
  
• pay for credit card expenses;
  
• pay fines, penalties, or taxes (including SECA or FICA allowances); or
• pay Benefits Plan dues.

This program is not intended to replace or subsidize coverage for health, home, or auto insurance. Please review your policy and/or submit your claims before applying for emergency assistance. If you are applying for emergency assistance for medical expenses, contact the Board at 800-PRESPLAN (800-773-7752) (TTY: 711) or memberservices@pensions.org; or, if you are enrolled in the PPO, EPO, or HDHP medical option, reach out to a Quantum Health Care Coordinator at 855-497-1237 (TTY 711) or myqhealthpcusa.org to ensure that you are receiving the full value of the Benefits Plan.

How to apply

Individual grants

Employers or mid councils are encouraged to share in the cost of Emergency Assistance. If you think you may qualify for Emergency Assistance and would like to initiate an application with the Board, complete and sign the Emergency Assistance Application and email it to memberservices@pensions.org, along with documentation of the specific need and resources available for the total amount requested.

Group grants and natural disasters

The Assistance Program offers Emergency Assistance grants to groups affected by natural disasters, as well as $1,000 Natural Disaster Grants for individuals in the event of large-scale disasters. 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 relationship manager or Church Consultant with the number of employees affected.

Natural Disaster Grants can be used in addition to Emergency Assistance grants and are for active ministers and church employees; members enrolled in any one benefit, excluding EAP-only; and employees of affiliated organizations that pay benefits dues for at least five employees. Applications must be submitted within 60 days of the event.