iv. Resettlement Grants The diocese will make a grant of approximately 10% of the Diocesan Minimum Stipend pertaining at the time towards the cost of any necessary alterations to or purchase of furnishings and other expenses incidental to the removal (i.e. towards the cost of purchasing or adapting existing carpets, curtains, etc.) Provided that: a. Such a grant can be justified by reference to the expenditure actually incurred b. Invoices or estimates are submitted to the Diocesan Office with the claim form provided. v. First Appointment Grants The diocese will make a grant of 10% of the Diocesan Minimum Stipend pertaining at the time to a stipendiary curate taking up a first appointment after ordination or to a post of similar status. vi. Parochial Expenses Reimbursement of all expenses, as approved by the incumbent, in carrying out parochial duties is the responsibility of the PCC. Car expenses should be reimbursed according to the diocesan mileage scale. vii. Fees Fees for weddings, funerals, etc. are part of the stipend and must not be retained incumbent’s by the curate. Any teaching income or (net) chaplaincy pay received by assistant staff forms part of stipend and must not be additional to it. There is no entitlement to a Whitsun offering. viii. Sickness Benefit Although an assistant member of staff is self-employed he/she is entitled to receive state benefit when ill (because they pay Class 1 National Insurance contributions). Under the statutory sick pay scheme the Church Commissioners arrange to pay the first 28 weeks of sick pay. If a member of staff becomes ill and cannot carry out their duties, sick pay can be claimed provided that the illness lasts for at least 4 consecutive days (including Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays). It is important to make a formal claim, and to do so the member of staff must complete and return the Church sick form. If the member of staff is Commissioners’ ‘self-certificated leave’ unable to work for 8 weeks, a statement must be obtained. During the period of illness doctor’s the Church Commissioners will continue to pay stipend in the usual way, but if it should continue for longer than 28 weeks, or if for any reason the person concerned is not entitled to sick pay, the Church Commissioners will give advice. ix. Maternity Leave Rochester Diocese follows the recommendation of the Central Stipends Authority on Maternity Leave and Pay. Details are available from the Diocesan Office.
iv. Resettlement Grants The diocese will make a grant of approximately 10% of the Diocesan Minimum Stipend pertaining at the time towards the cost of any necessary alterations to or purchase of furnishings and other expenses incidental to the removal (i.e. towards the cost of purchasing or adapting existing carpets, curtains, etc.) Provided that: a. Such a grant can be justified by reference to the expenditure actually incurred b. Invoices or estimates are submitted to the Diocesan Office with the claim form provided. v. First Appointment Grants The diocese will make a grant of 10% of the Diocesan Minimum Stipend pertaining at the time to a stipendiary curate taking up a first appointment after ordination or to a post of similar status. vi. Parochial Expenses Reimbursement of all expenses, as approved by the incumbent, in carrying out parochial duties is the responsibility of the PCC. Car expenses should be reimbursed according to the diocesan mileage scale. vii. Fees Fees for weddings, funerals, etc. are part of the incumbent’s stipend and must not be retained by the curate. Any teaching income or (net) chaplaincy pay received by assistant staff forms part of stipend and must not be additional to it. There is no entitlement to a Whitsun offering. viii. Sickness Benefit Although an assistant member of staff is self-employed he/she is entitled to receive state benefit when ill (because they pay Class 1 National Insurance contributions). Under the statutory sick pay scheme the Church Commissioners arrange to pay the first 28 weeks of sick pay. If a member of staff becomes ill and cannot carry out their duties, sick pay can be claimed provided that the illness lasts for at least 4 consecutive days (including Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays). It is important to make a formal claim, and to do so the member of staff must complete and return the Church Commissioners’ ‘self-certificated sick leave’ form. If the member of staff is unable to work for 8 weeks, a doctor’s statement must be obtained. During the period of illness the Church Commissioners will continue to pay stipend in the usual way, but if it should continue for longer than 28 weeks, or if for any reason the person concerned is not entitled to sick pay, the Church Commissioners will give advice. ix. Maternity Leave Rochester Diocese follows the recommendation of the Central Stipends Authority on Maternity Leave and Pay. Details are available from the Diocesan Office.