Available Assistance

UCBMA MISSION STATEMENT

United Church Board for Ministerial Assistance (UCBMA), the philanthropic arm of the Pension Boards-United Church of Christ, operates with a covenantal spirit as it:

  • provides direct financial support and compassionate responses to authorized ministers, lay church employees, and their surviving spouses/partners, in times of urgent need and personal crises
  • administers and raises funds for leadership initiatives that promote faithful and fruitful ministry across the United Church of Christ

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  For Retirees or Persons on Disability   Leadership grants and i   For Active Ministers2

General Ministerial Assistance Policies

Attempt, but make no guarantee, that using all proper combinations of Ministerial Assistance, the income levels of retirees who meet all the eligibility requirements will be brought up to a minimum level established annually. That income level is currently set at $42,250 for UCC authorized ministers and Lay Employees and $33,200 for surviving spouses/partners of the aforementioned.

Values listed are effective as of January 1st, 2024. It may be expected but there is no guarantee that the established income levels would increase every year based on market inflation.

All sources of family income, including that of spouses/partners, must be included in the determination of eligibility for Ministerial Assistance.

Loss of United Church of Christ Authorized Ministerial Standing will terminate eligibility for all forms of Ministerial Assistance.

Ministerial Assistance may not replace funding from public assistance or other sources.

Requests for emergency assistance are made in consultation with Conference staff where the person holds authorization for ministry.