April 21, 2023
HOUSING BENEFITS FOR RETIRED CLERGY & CHURCH WORKERS
I am pleased to advise that retired clergy and church workers may now access financial assistance for housing from the Farquharson Jamaica Trust Fund which was established following the sale of Farquharson House in 2018.
Beneficiaries identified in the Trust Deed include:
- Retired clergy and their spouses
- Retired Church Army Officers who receive a stipend from the Diocese, as well as their spouses
- Widows and Widowers of Clergy and Church Army Officers and
- Children of Clergy and Church Army Officers under age 18, or who are physically disabled or mentally ill.
- The financial assistance will only be granted for housing or accommodation in a Senior Citizens Home or care facility approved by the Diocese. It will not be granted to cover expenses for health care, supplies for food, medicine or other upkeep.
All applications must be made by the Clergy or Church Army Officer on the appropriate form which can be accessed through the HR Officer and submitted for the attention of the Diocesan Bishop. Should the proposed beneficiary be incapacitated, the application form may be submitted by a spouse or next of kin.
Financial assistance will be reviewed annually by the Trustees who will determine the maximum assistance that can be provided annually. An actuarial review will be done every three (3) years to ensure the Fund can support the assistance into perpetuity.
To commence, the Trustees have determined for 2024, that a maximum monthly assistance that can be provided is $60,000 per month, however the Trustees will assess each application on the merits of the case and an appropriate sum agreed as determined by the Trustees.
Should you need any clarification on the foregoing, kindly contact the HR Officer or the Diocesan Secretary.
Yours Sincerely
The Most Rev. Howard Gregory
Archbishop of the West Indies, Primate & Metropolitan and
Bishop of Jamaica & The Cayman Islands