Page History
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- Recurring Expenses - Ministry Expense (ME) Bonus, Monthly Phone Service
- Technology
- Travel
- Conferences, Retreats, and Mission Trips
- Office Expenses
- Other Ministry Expenses - Equipment, Continuing Education, Gifts, etc.
- International Worker Expenses
- Licensed Counselor Expenses - For those who serve as a licensed counselor
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Expense Category | Summary of Allowable Costs | Key Details | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Mobile Phone Device | $1,000 max limit to purchase a phone Only eligible once every two years Recoverable as 75% nontaxable Reimbursement and 25% taxable ERB |
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Apps | One-time purchases and subscriptions for apps directly relevant to field workers' job responsibilities are allowed. |
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Computers & Computer Equipment | Computers (desktop/laptop/tablet), computer equipment (e.g., monitors, printers, hard drives), and warranties, to the extent they are required to perform ministry responsibilities. Each type of item above is only eligible once every three years 75% nontaxable Reimbursement and 25% taxable ERB. |
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Software | One-time outright purchases of software: Recoverable as 75% nontaxable Reimbursement and 25% taxable ERB. Only eligible once every three years per software type Monthly Software subscriptions are 100% nontaxable |
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Equipment | Sound/lighting/projection equipment, musical instruments, and other types of equipment, to the extent they are required to perform ministry responsibilities. Recoverable as 75% nontaxable Reimbursement and 25% taxable ERB. |
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No maximum limit as long as charges meet the general criteria for expenses. Monthly internet access at home should be requested through ME Bonus and support goal submission, not as a regular expense submission. | Media Downloads |
| Media downloads, such as books, digital photos, graphics, etc. and other resources required for ministry-role
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| Add the media title to the submission form.
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Website Hosting & Email Distribution | Website hosting services or email distribution services that are directly related to the worker's ministry role |
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Media Downloads | Media downloads such as books, digital photos, graphics, etc., and other resources required for ministry-role. |
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Travel and Events
(Relevant to allReliant all Reliant Field Workers)
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Ministry trips are defined as "trips outside of the field staff's local metropolitan area, required for ministry purposes, and for which the majority of time is spent on ministry job responsibilities." Reimbursable costs for ministry trips include reasonable and customary transportation, lodging, meals, and related travel expenses, to the extent that job responsibilities require travel. Trips that include both ministry job responsibilities and personal interests are reimbursable only for the portion required for ministry. See also: FAQ for Cancelled Trips. |
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Expense Category | Summary of Allowable Costs | Key Details | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Hotel/Lodging | Up to $250/night for ministry trips |
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Flight | Airfare Baggage Seat upgrade, if needed TSA pre-check or CLEAR |
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Rental Car/Borrowed Car |
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Mileage/Carpooling | Mileage for necessary ministry-related trips in excess of 50 miles each way (which is already included in the support goal bonus). |
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Parking & Tolls | Parking costs of more than $10 when conducting ministry work in a location that is not the local place of work. Parking costs incurred during travel (airport parking costs, hotel or conference center parking, etc.) Parking permits at the primary place of ministry can be recovered through an ERB. Tolls when traveling on a ministry trip are reimbursable. |
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Other Transportation | Taxi, bus, rideshare, train, water transportation, etc., when traveling on a ministry trip | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Covid Testing | Mandated testing in testing for COVID in order to travel | Only testing not covered by Reliant's health plan can be reimbursed. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Travel Fees and Immunizations (short-term international trips) | Visa Fees and related documentation are reimbursable Passport fees and related documentation (taxable ERB) |
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Vaccinations and Immunizations (short-term international trips) | Vaccinations and immunizations required for international travel (taxable ERB) Certain medications required for | International international short-term travel related to mission trips are reimbursable | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Anchor | Travel | Travel
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Meals During Travel | Meals during ministry trips |
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Internet Access During Travel | Charges for internet and email fees while traveling for ministry purposes. |
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Weddings and Funerals | If the criteria (under Key Details) for the wedding/funeral are met, then airfare, mileage, lodging, rental cars, meals, and other travel-related expenses, etc., can be reimbursed. |
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Conferences, Retreats, and Mission Trips
(Relevant to all Reliant Field Workers)
Expense Category | Summary of Allowable Costs | Key Details | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Conferences and Event Fees | As a general rule, most conferences, retreats, and events are reimbursable as long as the field workers substantiate why attendance at the event was necessary for their current ministry role. |
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Mission and Outreach Trips | The fee(s) for the Mission and Outreach Trip are reimbursable. |
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Spiritual and Ministry Planning Retreats | Spiritual and Ministry Planning Retreats are intended to be dedicated, focused, and intentional times of immersion in the Word, prayer, and/or ministry preparation. Costs associated with the retreats may be reimbursed with pre-approval on a Personal Development Plan. |
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Office Supplies | Due to the different job responsibilities of Reliant Employees, the types of office supplies used for ministry purposes are vast and varying. It is the field worker's responsibility to use discretion when purchasing supplies to ensure the items are truly reasonable and necessary for ministry expenses. |
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Office Rent | Office rent is reimbursable when used exclusively for ministry purposes. An office that is only partially used for ministry purposes cannot have rent reimbursed through Reliant. |
| Office Rent | Office rent is reimbursable when used exclusively for ministry purposes. An office that is only partially used for ministry purposes cannot have rent reimbursed through Reliant. | ||||||||
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Rental Office Renovations and Décor | Paint for walls can be reimbursed. Lighting, décor, and plants can be recovered through an ERB. Please keep expenses under $200 per item. For carpet or flooring, please call the Reliant office for pre-approval. | |||||||||||
Postage/Shipping/Fax | Postage, fax, and shipping expenses associated with your ministry role are reimbursable. |
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Printing & Copies | Printed prayer letters, magnets, photos, signs, booklets, copies, etc. |
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Expense Category | Summary of Allowable Costs | Key Details | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Equipment (including Furniture) | To the extent the furniture is required to perform ministry responsibilities, recoverable Recoverable as 75% nontaxable Reimbursement and 25% taxable ERB. |
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Meals & Hospitality (not associated with a ministry trip)
| Meals for ministry contacts, donors, and group events Groceries for prepared meals for ministry purposes One-time special event/celebration meals with co-workers that are out of the ordinary can be submitted through reimbursement Dormitory meal plan passes, when used exclusively for conducting ministry per Reliant worker role (for example on a college campus), can be reimbursed at a max of $480 for a semester pass. |
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Books | Books that are ministry-related (they do not need to be religious in nature). |
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Continuing education courses Course-related books Associated Fees Some other continuing education expenses can also be recovered through an Expense Recovery Bonus, such as school-required health checks and immunizations and related travel costs associated with continuing education. |
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Counseling | Counseling is not eligible for reimbursement or ERB. Short-term counseling is available through Reliant's Employee Assitance Program for those enrolled in Reliant's insurance. However, field workers may qualify for crisis counseling in a ministry-related crisis for a pre-approved duration paid for by Reliant. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gift-giving is sometimes required to further the ministry of Reliant. Gifts purchased must be clearly ministry-related and also help further that specific Reliant ministry. Gifts must have an intended recipient determined at the point of purchase. Gifts may not be purchased more than 30 days before the date they will be given to the intended party. Gifts cannot be personal in nature (such as for a birthday, baby, wedding, graduation, etc.) There is an annual limit for the amount of gift given per person per year. |
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Gift Cards | A gift card given by a Reliant employee to donors may be reimbursed with a valid ministry purpose, but annual limits for giving (see "gifts" above) apply. As a Standard, Reliant does not allow field staff to give gift cards to other field staff (employee or associate). |
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Moving Costs | Moving costs are not reimbursable through expense submission. A moving bonus is available for moving costs incurred while moving from one U.S. ministry location to another U.S. ministry location. |
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Professional Fees | Professional fees paid to companies, agencies, or individuals for services necessary to conduct ministry are reimbursable.
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Recreation Expenses | Use discretion when submitting requests for reimbursement of recreation expenses. Reliant will carefully review such requests but will not reimburse expenses that are not clearly ministry-related (such as recreation for general fellowship) and that do not follow the Standards for reasonable, necessary, etc. |
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Subscriptions and Dues |
| These recreation expenses are not reimbursable: gym memberships, admission to theme parks, recreation for general fellowship with ministry contacts, etc. |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Supplies | Due to the different job responsibilities of Reliant Employees, the types of supplies used for ministry purposes are vast and varying. It is the field worker's responsibility to use discretion when purchasing supplies to ensure the items are truly reasonable and necessary for ministry expenses. |
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Expense Category | Summary of Allowable Costs | Key Reminders | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Bank Fees | Bank Fees incurred by International field workers as they travel back to the US or other countries for ministry purposes. Bank Fees incurred in situations where the safety of a Reliant International worker is a concern or in which local banking options are either not allowable or unadvisable (e.g., due to the secure nature of their ministry role.) |
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Counseling | Counseling is not eligible for reimbursement or ERB. However, there is a counseling bonus available to International workers (See International Bonuses) Short-term counseling for International workers is available through Reliant's Employee Assistance Program. In the event of an international crisis, International field workers may qualify to receive crisis counseling for a pre-approved duration paid for by Reliant. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Global Communication |
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Immigration Fees | Reimbursable costs include visa fees and necessary documentation, postage, photos, etc., for ministry-related international travel. Costs recoverable to international field workers through an ERB include: U.S. Passport fees and necessary documentation, postage, photos, etc. International driver's license fees- initial and renewal Immigration fees for family Related travel for visa runs, etc., for family members. |
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Immunizations, Vaccinations | To the extent not covered by Reliant health plans, pre-field physicals, vaccinations, and immunizations (including oral vaccinations with a prescription) required for international placement or internship can be recovered through an ERB. |
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International Mileage | When the cost of operating a motor vehicle in the international field worker's country of ministry exceeds that of the United States, the International field worker may submit ministry-related mileage at a rate that exceeds the United States IRS’s approved mileage reimbursement rate to be recovered through an ERB. |
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Language Classes | Language classes are reimbursable. |
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Legal Fees |
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Moving, Vehicle, Hardship, etc. | There is a specific International Bonus designed to recover personal expenses for International workers that are not eligible for submission on the International Expense Submission Form. |
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Tutoring | Tutoring fees are reimbursable. |
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Translator Fees | Oral translator fees are reimbursable. Written translator fees are typically reimbursable, depending on the nature of the materials. |
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Storage Fees | Reimbursement may be requested for storage costs for personal items stored in the U.S. while the worker serves at an international assignment when connected to an international move. |
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Expense Category | Summary of Allowable Costs | Key Reminders | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Counselor Supervision Fees | Available for counselors who require someone to supervise their counseling as part of a mentor/training program. |
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Dues and Subscriptions for Counselors | For those counselors who have dues or fees for professional counseling organizations that provide support, resources, and/or training for licensed professional counselors. |
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Liability Coverage for Counselors | For those counselors who desire additional liability coverage. |
| Office for Counseling | For those who work as counselors as part of their Reliant ministry role, to reimburse office updates and décor. |
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