Providing financial relief for church workers

Grants through this fund offer financial relief to eligible church workers in the State of West Virginia, in the presbyteries of West Virginia, Shenandoah, and Upper Ohio Valley. It is supported by generous gifts to the Board of Pensions from the estates of Annie Gebhardt and Frances Littlepage Irwin.

Amount

Qualifying individuals can receive grant awards up to $5,000, depending on the type of grant.

Eligibility

To qualify, the applicant must

• be an active or retired Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) minister of the Word and Sacrament or commissioned ruling elder (CRE); and
• serve or have served in the State of West Virginia in at least one of the following presbyteries: West Virginia, Shenandoah, or Upper Ohio Valley; or
• be a dependent, spouse, or surviving spouse of an eligible minister or CRE.

Eligibility is not contingent on current or previous enrollment in the Benefits Plan of the PC(USA). Applicants must serve or have served at one time within the State of West Virginia and these presbyteries but do not need to reside in West Virginia.

How it works

Applicants may request grants for the following: 

Emergency assistance: a one-time grant up to $5,000 that addresses an emergency or unexpected need, such as a family emergency, custodial care at home, or any number of special situations. Groups of applicants affected by natural disasters may also qualify.

Educational debt: a grant to help eligible ministers who meet salary and household income requirements repay educational debt.* Participants will be connected with PeopleJoy for a student loan debt coaching requirement, at no cost to the participant.

Education: an annual grant up to $2,000 for up to five years that can be used for registration, tuition, books, and materials for ministers' continuing education beyond the Master of Divinity. Each minister in a clergy couple is eligible for up to $2,000 per year. For spouses and dependents, an annual grant of up to $2,000 per family for up to five years can be used for education leading to a certificate or diploma.  If eligible, recipients may also apply for Transition-to-College Assistance through the Assistance Program.

Moving expenses: a grant up to $1,000 to assist with the cost of relocation for employment in one of the eligible presbyteries. This grant is in addition to the employer's reimbursement for moving household goods and travel.

Technology: a grant up to $1,500 to purchase technological support, such as a mobile device, videoconferencing license, personal computer, monitor, or printer.

Community building: a grant up to $2,000 per event for eligible participants in presbytery-sponsored community-building activities, such as

• an annual or semi-annual retreat planned by one or more of the presbyteries;
• an annual event for ministers and their spouses; or
• a gathering by areas of presbytery.

The grant includes the cost of housing, meals, child or elder care, group meeting space, leaders, and automobile reimbursement at the current federal government rate. The presbytery may apply for a block grant with a list of eligible participants.

Counseling, coaching, and vocational assessment: a grant requested by a presbytery for the cost of a counselor, therapist, or coach recommended and approved by the presbytery. The grant covers up to 10 counseling sessions, with the cost of the sessions not to exceed $100 per hour. The presbytery may recommend renewal of the grant for up to 10 additional counseling sessions. If the nearest provider is more than 40 miles from the place of residence, the grant may include automobile reimbursement at the current federal rate, plus $25 for the cost of a meal for each session. Seminarians under the care of one of the presbyteries with regions in West Virginia also may be eligible for this grant.

Financial counseling: access for active and retired ministers to up to five hours of Ernst & Young Personal Finance services to help support financial well-being. An Ernst & Young financial planner can help ministers build an action plan tailored to their situation and unique needs, create a budget, and determine the best payment strategy to eliminate debt.

*Lifetime amount for all programs combined not to exceed $25,000.

How to apply

To apply for a grant from the West Virginia Fund, complete the West Virginia Fund Application. Applications require signoff from the presbytery where the applicant serves or has served.

Please email or mail the completed and signed application and required documentation to the Member Services team at the Board of Pensions:

The Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
2000 Market St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103-3298
memberservices@pensions.org

Need help?

Call the Board of Pensions at 800-PRESPLAN (800-773-7752) (TTY: 711).