The Benevolence Community at Disciple Central Community Church exists to demonstrate God’s love and compassion by providing financial and practical assistance to individuals and families within our congregation and local community who are experiencing temporary hardship. The purpose of this policy is to ensure that assistance is distributed in a fair, transparent, and consistent manner, in line with our biblical principles of stewardship, generosity, and care for those in need. We do not offer all forms of assistance due to our funding types. Completing a Benevolence form does not guarantee assistance. Please note, multiple submissions will delay our processes.

Eligibility for Assistance
Assistance may be provided to individuals who meet the following criteria:

• Church Members: Individuals who have been active members of Disciple Central Community Church for at least six months, regularly attending services, and engaged in the life of the church.
• Regular Attendees: Individuals who have attended services and have demonstrated a commitment to the church, such as involvement in small groups, ministries, or other church activities.
• Community Members: At the discretion of the Benevolence Committee, assistance may be provided to individuals outside the congregation who reside within the local community and meet the necessary criteria for need.

Eligibility for assistance is not based on race, gender, or socioeconomic status but on need and the desire to reflect Christ’s compassion.

Types of Assistance Provided
Disciple Central Community Church offers assistance in the following areas:

• Utility Assistance: Assistance with paying electricity, water, gas, or other essential utility bills.
• Housing Assistance: Help with rent or mortgage payments, especially in cases of temporary financial distress.
• Food Assistance: Providing grocery vouchers or food packages for families in need.
• Medical Assistance: Assistance with medical bills or prescriptions in cases of urgent need.
• Funeral Assistance: Support with funeral-related expenses.
• Other Needs: Emergency transportation, clothing, and other essential needs as deemed appropriate by the Benevolence Committee.

UTILITY ELIGIBILITY:

• To be considered for utility assistance, you must ONLY owe for the current month (eg. in the month of June, you cannot owe for any other months except for June). All balances prior to the current month must be paid in full prior to applying for assistance.
• Meet eligibility guidelines
• Has not received any utility assistance from our organization within the last 12 months

Please note: Submitting an application does NOT guarantee approval for assistance.

RENTAL/MORTGAGE ELIGIBILITY

• To be considered for rental/mortgage assistance, you must ONLY owe for the current month (eg. in the month of June, you cannot owe for any other months except for June). All balances prior to the current month must be paid in full prior to applying for assistance.
• Meet eligibility guidelines
• Rental/Mortgage assistance request must not be for extreme delinquent amounts.
• Has not received any rental assistance from our organization within the last 12 months.

Please note: Submitting an application does NOT guarantee approval for assistance.
 
Application Process
To request benevolence assistance, individuals must follow these steps:
1. Application Form: Complete a Benevolence Request Form online through the church website.
2. Documentation: Provide supporting documentation, including:  * A brief explanation of the circumstances causing the hardship.
3. Submission: Submit the completed application form and supporting documents to the church office or to the designated benevolence coordinator.
4. Meeting with a Benevolence Representative: After submission, the applicant may be required to meet with a member of the Benevolence Committee or a church leader to discuss the need.

Approval Process
1. Review: The Benevolence Committee, which consists of church leaders and designated staff members, will review all applications within 3 days of submission.
2. Assessment: The Committee will evaluate the need based on the information provided, considering both the immediate situation and the long-term sustainability of the assistance.
3. Approval or Denial: After review, the Committee will either approve or deny the request. If approved, the amount and type of assistance will be determined based on available resources and the nature of the need.
4. Notification: The applicant will be notified in writing of the decision. If assistance is granted, a follow-up plan will be discussed to ensure continued support and financial guidance if needed.

Amount and Frequency of Assistance

• The amount of assistance provided will be based on the specific needs of the individual or family and the available funds in the Benevolence Fund.
• In most cases, a maximum of $500.00 per request will be granted. However, additional amounts may be approved depending on the situation and resources available.
• Recipients may not receive assistance more than once per year for the same need unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Confidentiality
Disciple Central Community Church is committed to maintaining the privacy and dignity of all individuals requesting assistance. All personal and financial information submitted as part of the benevolence process will be kept confidential and only shared with the Benevolence Committee and church leadership on a need-to-know basis.

Record-Keeping

• Records: The church will maintain records of all benevolence requests, including the amount of assistance given, the type of assistance, and the recipient's details (subject to confidentiality).
• Review: Records will be reviewed regularly to ensure that resources are being allocated appropriately and that the church's benevolence budget is being used responsibly.

Disciple Central Community Church is committed to being a compassionate and generous church that serves the needs of its members and the community. By following this Benevolence Policy, we aim to ensure that our assistance is provided fairly, responsibly, and in a way that honors God and uplifts those in need.