BBT’s Employee Financial Services is a ministry designed to assist current and retired pastors and church workers with programs and services that extend beyond BBT’s set fiduciary ministries of pension, insurance, asset management, and deferred gift management.
Church Workers' Assistance Plan stems from the Church of the Brethren’s commitment to mutually within the church and is funded by local churches and districts that participate in the Pension Plan. It provides financial support to church workers with specific financial needs.
In addition to the grant programs, BBT provides financial expertise as a service to the church. BBT staff members conduct educational seminars, presentations, and Insight Sessions on issues related to stewardship, investing, and finance, covering such diverse topics as socially responsible consuming, estate planning, and credit card debt.
Who is eligible?
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The Church Workers’ Assistance Plan is intended to provide financial assistance to current and former clergy and lay employees of Church of the Brethren congregations, districts, or campus who have worked at least half-time (1,000 hours/year) and have no other means of financial assistance.
Eligibility is based, in part, on employment history. Current employees of a Church of the Brethren congregation, district, or camp must have served a minimum of five years, at least half-time (1,000 hours/years), while former employees must have served a minimum of 10 years, at least half-time. Those who have served for 20 years or more may be eligible for additional benefits.
How is it funded?
Churches and districts that participate in the Pension Plan support this ministry by contributing an amount equal to 1 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. Donations may be sent to Brethren Benefit Trust, Attn: Church Worker’s Assistance Plan, 1505 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120.
How do I apply?
If you, or someone you know, are in need of assistance, contact Brethren Benefit Trust at 800-746-1505 to request an application or to answer any questions.
We will send you an application for the grant program. It will ask for information such as:
- Your Church of the Brethren employment history and tenure.
- Your current annual living expenses
- Documentation of income and assets
Please fill out the application and send it in, even if you aren’t sure you qualify. This benevolent program is designed to fairly represent church, district, and camp employees with a variety of financial backgrounds and means.
Church Workers’ Assistance Plan grants represent taxable income. BBT sends 1099-MISC statements to recipients to be included in their taxes.
On July 1, 1998, BBT’s Retired Church Workers’ Fund, which had long assisted retirees with insufficient incomes, was changed to the Church Workers’ Assistance Plan to incorporate both retired and active clergy and lay employees. This expanded ministry helps provide support for pastors and other church workers with financial needs.
In 2020, more than $290,000 in grants was given by the Church Workers’ Assistance Plan, including 45 grant recipients.
Church Workers’ Assistance Plan is an Annual Conference directive financed by church, district, and camp employers who designate 1 percent of their salary expenditures to this fund, and also from additional congregational donations.