Church Workers Assistance Plan

I have never had the urge to shout, but I almost did when I received your letter. I went around praising the Lord out loud, with no one to hear me but my cat I can now have my teeth taken care of, get new lenses and maybe a hearing aid, which I'm beginning to need. Thank you so much for considering my request and granting me more.
  --from a retired church worker

History

At the 1990 Annual Conference, the Church of the Brethren addressed the long-standing problem of retirees with inadequate financial means and established the Retired Church Workers Fund (RCWF). The new program replaced the Ministerial and Missionary Service and Ministers Group Insurance Funds and ended the first year with twice the resources formerly available.

The Retired Church Workers Fund supplements the income of retired pastors, congregational and district lay employees who do not have the financial capability to meet basic needs. For various reasons, these persons did not participate in the Church of the Brethren Pension Plan or participated only on a limited basis.

New Name

As of July 1, 1998, the RCWF has changed to the Church Workers Assistance Plan.* This expanded ministry will continue to provide financial assistance for retired church workers and adds the following:

• support for pastors and other church workers with extraordinary (long-term) financial needs,
• assistance with legal and tax issues, and
• personal financial and retirement planning.
• Application guidelines for active members are being updated.

Call Donald Fecher, Director, Pension and Employees Financial Services, at 800-746-1505 for more information.

Who is eligible?

Active church workers may be eligible to participate in the plan if they can substantiate unusual financial need due to major illness, catastrophe, or event. To apply, one must have been employed at least half time by the Church of the Brethren or its related agencies for at least two years.

Retired employees are eligible to apply for assistance if they worked for a Church of the Brethren congregation or district at least half time for 20 years or more.

Grants range from $50 to $500 per month.To be considered, an applicant should have an annual income of under $16,000 if single and under $22,000 if married and show a clear evidence of need. Special consideration may apply for individuals on disability or in unusual circumstances.

How is it funded?

Local churches and districts that participate in the Pension Plan are required to support this ministry by contributing an amount equal to one percent of the total compensation paid to all their employees who work at least half time.

A similar payment is strongly encouraged from churches that do not participate in the Pension Plan. Payments may be sent to Brethren Benefit Trust, Attn: Church Workers Assistance Plan, P.O. Box 12048, Newark, NJ 07101.

How do I apply?

If you are a church worker (lay person, pastor, district staff) or the spouse of a church worker who qualifies or if you know of someone, please call 800-746-1505 or click here to contact us. Applications are reviewed each fall for the following year and are strictly confidential.