Fund for Special Assistance
The Fund for Special Assistance has been created for the relief of specific and extraordinary financial needs. Specifically, it has been created to provide grants ranging from a minimum of $1,000 to a maximum of $10,000 per request. Retired clergy, surviving spouses, and dependents who are experiencing a specific financial challenge and are also receiving benefits from the Clergy Pension Plan, Long-Term Disability Plan, or Child Benefit Plan are eligible for grants. There is a maximum lifetime benefit of $20,000 per eligible individual, and there are other limits on the total annual amount that can be granted under the Fund for Special Assistance.
Grants are not intended to pay for education expenses or long-term care expenses addressed by Medicaid or Medicare. The bishop or Ecclesiastical Authority of the diocese where the applicant resides or is canonically resident must submit a form in support of the applicant’s request. The diocese must also agree to pay 10% of the grant unless waived by CPF. Each applicant must then complete and submit an application and a financial disclosure statement.