Benevolence Procedures & Guidelines
The focus of the Benevolence Ministry is to assist, provide, or render aid to members of the body of Christ. Consideration will only be given to those who have experienced or are experiencing an unexpected severe interruption in their normal cash flow. Assistance is based on the following:
- CHS Membership Tenure of at least six (6) months
- Funds availability
- No cash will be given…ever!
- Check made payable to the vender only
- Applicant (if CHS member) must be a Tither or regular giver (in the case of a visitor) for the past (3) months on CHS’s records
- Assistance is granted no more than one time within a 12 month period
- Request may only be for Mortgage, Rent, Food, Gas & Electric, Water, or Prescription Medication
- Request may not exceed $500.00
PROCEDURE
- Any call or Application, from a person requesting assistance, should be submitted to church office to verify Membership and to run a contribution report.
- A Benevolence Request Application shall be completed for approval.
- The applicant request will be reviewed with the Pastor Council and Benevolence Board.
To verify if assistance is GRANTED or DENIED, the procedures listed below should be followed:
- Obtain a completed Benevolence Request Application
- Conduct an initial interview with the applicant to:
- Minister to the applicant and notify them of the guidelines/procedures
- Secure additional information (i.e. bills, account numbers, due date, etc.)
- Set a time to follow-up with the applicant. (Requests must be processed within 48 hours, if possible)
- Forward a copy “Twelve Blessings of a Tither” to applicant
- Verify the need of the applicant to determine the accuracy of the information given
- Church office will verify previous assistance, if any granted. It is also referred to Pastor Council and Benevolence Board for a final determination.
- Inform the applicant of the decision. If their request is approved, re-verify that you have the correct vendor information, and any account number that would apply.
If request is denied, give an explanation for denial and minister to the applicant again.
GUIDELINES:
To determine if a request is GRANTED or DENIED, apply the following guidelines:
- Check if applicant has pursued the possibility of acquiring assistance from Local Resources, State/Government assistance, Family members or friends.
FOOD REQUEST – This request is to be handled ASAP. It is the heart of the ministry that no one shall be without food. A gift certificate, from local grocery shall be purchased in the amount of $50.00. (Subject to financial availability)
UTILITIES REQUEST – When a member within CHS needs assistance with their utilities, the following dollar amounts and conditions shall be considered toward such, and the dollar amount shall not exceed these listed below:
- Light bill not to exceed $150.00
- Gas bill not to exceed $300.00
- Water bill not to exceed $100.00
MORTGAGE, RENT OR LEASE PAYMENT REQUEST
- Assistance amount should be determined according to the need and financial availability.
- If request is granted, check should be made payable to Mortgage Company, Landlord, or Lessor… ONLY!
- Benevolence payment not to exceed $500.00
- The Mortgage, Rent, or Lease should be in the name of the requestor. A mortgage statement or lease should be obtained.
NO ASSISTANCE/PAYMENT MADE TOWARDS FOLLOWING:
- Telephone bills
- Car Payments
- Personal or Consumer Loans
- NSF (non sufficient funds) Checks
- Out-of-town travel expenses
- School tuitions, daycare
Ministry will be provided by an authorized person or persons appointed by the Pastor. Depending on the nature of the challenge and circumstances surrounding, ministry should be done by gender (i.e. man to man, woman to woman). Ministry is recommended to the applicant for the needed area.
BENEVOLENCE REQUEST BY NON- CHS-MEMBERS: will be considered if they attend services on a regular basis. However, our first priority is to our members.
- After the final decision is made, all completed forms should be turned over to church office for processing. Forms for Applicants that do not meet guidelines run the risk of denial.
- If at all possible, a re-payment plan will be established.This helps us to help others in the future.
