Clergy Assurance Fund

The Clergy Assurance Fund is a new name for a very old organization. Formerly known as The Widows Corporation, the name was changed on the 250th Anniversary in 2019 to recognize the organization’s expansion of mission and ministry beyond clergy widows to include the entire clergy family. All Episcopal clergy (deacons, priests, and bishops) who are resident in Pennsylvania, as well as Lutheran and Moravian pastors serving Episcopal congregations or dioceses in Pennsylvania, are eligible for participation in the programs of The Clergy Assurance Fund and remain eligible for some benefits even after leaving Pennsylvania.

Wellness Expense Reimbursements

One part of the Clergy Assurance Fund is the Fund for Clergy and Clergy Family Wellness. This fund provides assistance with medical expenses, counseling, and other un-reimbursable expenses for the insured cleric and immediate family members. There is a limit of $5,000 per cleric for each fiscal year (April 1- March 31).

Application Process

The Wellness Fund has simplified the process of requesting reimbursements. Here is what you can expect:

• All submissions are now made through one online form. This form, which is available on the Clergy Assurance Fund website, is designed to securely capture all relevant information needed to process your request for reimbursement. You will no longer submit forms and receipts to the diocesan office or diocesan representative, as submissions go directly to the Clergy Assurance Fund Administrator and Chaplain, streamlining the review process.
• In most cases, the Administrator or Chaplain will contact the Bishop’s office for final approval on your behalf, so you won’t need to coordinate that step yourselves. (Note: Certain requests, such as a Sabbatical Grant, may involve a slightly different process.)
• There is now one unified set of eligibility requirements and documentation for all applicants across all dioceses in Pennsylvania.
• You will receive payments directly from the Clergy Assurance Fund, either electronically or via check. This new process will simplify and speed up payments.

If you have questions about the new process, please contact the Clergy Assurance Fund at [email protected].