The challenges and often sacrifices that are made while serving in ministry can take a toll on one’s personal and professional life. In providing financial support, the United Church Board for Ministerial Assistance (UCBMA), the charitable arm of the Pension Boards, seeks to relieve worries and financial demands so that greater wellness and wholeness in life and ministry is experienced. This is sacred work because it ensures that those who serve the Church receive the care of the Church in their time of need.
Eligibility
- Authorized Ministers with current UCC standing
- Lay Employees of a UCC congregation, Association, Conference, or National Setting (also known as a Qualified
- Church Controlled Organization – QCCO), with a minimum of 10 years of service
- Surviving spouses/partners of the above
- Members in Discernment for at least a year
Emergency Grant considerations
- Depending on the amount requested, Emergency Grants may help with a portion, but not the entirety, of a situation.
- Emergency Grants are for unforeseen circumstances that cannot be addressed by personal income or savings. In general, they can be used for medical bills, living expenses, or funeral expenses but cannot be used for personal loans, taxes, or credit card debt. Also, Emergency Grants cannot be used to subsidize/relieve churches or other employers of their compensation responsibilities to staff.
- Individuals can apply for an Emergency Grant whenever needs arise, however, gifts are usually only given once in a 12-month period. An exception to that is grants for UCC health benefits premiums, which may be awarded for up to two quarters.
Application Process
- Click the link to go to the Ministerial Assistance Grant Directory
- Navigate to either the UCBMA Emergency Grant application form, or, if you have served or are serving in Massachusetts please go to the Massachusetts Board of Ministerial Aid Emergency Grant application.
- The grant directory is hosted on Smarter Select, which is separate from the Pension Boards’ website, so you must create a login and password to use the site. Your PBUCC login information will not work.
- Complete the application.
- Respond to the questions, including a description of the situation you are facing and the amount of assistance that would be helpful. If applicable, upload any documents that support your request.
- Identify someone to endorse your request, preferably a Conference Minister or Associate Conference Minister. Be sure to discuss your situation with them so they have the information they need to support your request. They do not see your application so will need to know the situation you are facing as well as the amount requested and how it will be used.
- Endorsement given by designated person.
- Once application is complete, it is routed to your endorser for their comments and support.
- Application reviewed by Pension Boards’ staff.
- Once the endorsement is complete, Pension Boards’ staff review all the application materials. If approved, an email is sent asking you to provide your banking information on a secure site so a direct deposit can be made. Depending on how quickly the endorser responds, it may take 1 to 2 weeks for an emergency grant to be processed and received.
If you are unable to complete an online application or need additional assistance, please reach out to [email protected].
Funding
The source of funding for Emergency Grants is Our Church’s Wider Mission (OCWM), and the Christmas Fund Offering.