Elder's Benevolence
Weare Christian Church members, regular attendees, and people in our local community may apply for short-term financial assistance from the Elder's Fund. We give priority to requests from members and regular attendees but consider requests from the local community (people living in Weare, NH and surrounding communities only) when possible.
We can only assist with short-term and emergency needs. We cannot provide long–term or repeated assistance. We also cannot assist withbills more than 60 days in arrears, childcare, medical bills, unsecured loan payments, taxes, legal expenses, or any expense that is not an objectively verified need.
Steps to Applying for Financial Assistance
Follow these steps to make application. The process may take up to four (4) weeks.
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Download and complete the Benevolence Application.
Download and complete the Benevolence Application form. Read the cover page before filling out the Application form. As you complete the form, gather the required documentation that must accompany the application. Use the checklist to make sure you have properly completed the application, as we cannot accept incomplete applications. If you omit any information or documentation, the application will not be processed.
- Click here to download the Benevolence Application (English)
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Return the completed application and the required documentation to the church.
Return the completed application with documentation to the church office, Weare Christian Church 10 Concord Stage Road PO Box 534 Weare, NH 03281. Bring a government issued photo ID to confirm your identity. We will make a color copy of your ID for inclusion with the application. We can only consider bills that are in the name of the person providing identification.
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Expect to wait.
It takes at least three working days to review and verify applications. During this period, you will not hear from us, nor can we answer questions. Once we have verified your application, we will contact you. The primary means for contact is e-mail. If you do not have e-mail, you must provide a telephone number where you can always be reached. If we cannot contact you after two attempts, we will not process your application.
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Follow the instructions.
Follow the instructions you are given. You may be asked to meet with budget coaches or others to assist you with your finances. You may be asked to meet with a Care Team as part of the consideration process. Please be on time for any appointments.
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You will be notified.
If it is determined at any point in the process that Benevolence cannot provide assistance, you will be notified that "Benevolence cannot assist you at this time." No further information will be given.
At no point in this process do we promise or guarantee that assistance will be provided to you. Any assistance will be in the form of a check made out to the vendor, landlord, or other service provider – not to you. No cash will ever be given nor will we issue money orders or cashier's checks.
THE BENEVOLENCE INTERVIEW PROCESS – BUDGET COACHING AND COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION – OFTEN REQUIRES PROBING, DETAILED, DIFFICULT, AND POTENTIALLY UNCOMFORTABLE QUESTIONS AND ANALYSIS OF THE APPLICANT’S PERSONAL SITUATION AND SPENDING HABITS. APPLICANTS SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR THIS POTENTIALITY.