Can I apply for support before I have received my first full Stipend slip?

Clergy Support Trust is unable to provide support before you have received your first full Stipend slip. This includes Emergency grants towards general living expenses, for costs incurred by moving into curacy.

We appreciate that the transition from training to curacy comes with financial pressures, and support during this time should be provided by the Church, which has funded your training and appointed you to a curacy.

If you are experiencing financial difficulties in the period between completing your training and receiving your first full stipend, we recommend that you approach your Diocesan Director of Ordinands (DDO), your Diocesan Bishop, or your College Principal. They may be able to assist through discretionary funds and schemes, such as the Train a Priest (TAP) Fund.

What support will be available to me in times of need, once I have received my first full Stipend slip?

Our full range of grants and services will become available to you in times of need, provided you meet our eligibility criteria.

Grant applications should be made in advance of any expenditure, as we do not approve costs which you have already paid, as our grants are intended for unforeseen expenses. We will need to receive evidence of the need which the grant application covers.

Explore our website to see the range of potential support available, which includes up to two Emergency grants of £500 each per calendar year, Health grants, Wellbeing grants and support such as counselling and coaching.

I have now received my first full Stipend slip. How can I apply for support?

To register on our system and apply for support, you will need to provide a copy of your first full Stipend slip. If you have not yet received your first full Stipend slip, you will only be able to apply for our Health grants for now.

There are three stages to applying for support for the first time: 

  1. Registration – You’ll be asked to supply background information and evidence, so we can confirm that you are a member of clergy. This can include contact details, household saving details and your National Insurance Number, as well as your first full Stipend slip.
  2. Verification – One of our Grants and Services Officers will verify your details and confirm your eligibility. Once processed, you will receive a Confirmation Email from us, and you’ll be able to apply.
  3. Applying – Use our handy Eligibility Checker to explore the range of grants available, that you may be eligible to apply for, based on factors including any savings and if you own a property.

I received support as an ordinand and need to apply for further support in a time of need as a member of clergy. What do I do?

If you received support as an ordinand, you will already be registered and verified on our system. Before applying as a clergy person, you will need to update your clergy status.

To do this, please upload your first full Stipend slip. If you are NSM/SSM, please supply your Statement of Particulars/Licence.