Below are brief descriptions of benefits associated with our program. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our Recruitment Coordinator for more information.
Members receive a $1125 living stipend per month, with certain standard deductions. Half of this amount is paid on the 10th and again on the 25th of each month. The first stipend check will be issued on September 25th.
Direct deposit is required of all members.
Members are expected to serve a minimum of 40 hours a week in order to reach the 1700-hour requirement for the education award. Members are allowed 12 days to use as either sick or personal days throughout the year. Personal time must be approved in advance and you must be on track for reaching your 1700-hour goal.
Make A Difference Day, Martin Luther King Day, and National Youth Service Day are service project days that you are required to attend. These service projects can fall on a weekend or holiday (MLK Day).
All members are covered under a basic health insurance policy from the first day of service to the last. This is automatic and at no cost to the member. This insurance may be used as primary insurance if you have no other health insurance, or can be used as secondary insurance if you are already covered under another policy. Dental and vision benefits are unfortunately not covered.
Insurance Policy: Mutual of Omaha (Processed by Summit America)
Contact Number: 1-800-233-2478 Address: 5001 Collee Blvd. / Leawood, KS 66211
Insurance Brochure & Website (coverage subject to change each program year)
Upon completing a term of service and 1700 hours, members earn a $5,550 education award.
Members are eligible to put their loans into forbearance during their term of service. It is a good idea to contact all your loan lenders to make sure you can receive a forbearance for your term of service with AmeriCorps. At the beginning of the year, you will fill out paperwork on each of your loans to put them into forbearance. We highly recommend you contact all your loan lenders to let them know what you will be up to in the coming year. AmeriCorps will pay interest that accrues on qualified school loans during a member's term of service. The payment will be made after the member successfully completes the term of service. This payment is counted as taxable income.
Members will be asked to travel to meetings and trainings during the service year. The reimbursement rate for travel to these events during service is 40 cents per mile with the requirement that members carpool.
You are not required to bring a car to serve with our program, except in certain rural locations and certain service sites. If you do choose to bring a car, the reimbursement unfortunately does not apply to relocation from your home to your service site.
The AmeriCorps monthly living allowance is not counted as income when determining eligibility for the Basic Food Program (food stamps), issued through the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS).
Receiving support from family members you may be living with can affect your eligibility for the food program. Most members do qualify, especially those who live alone, with other members, or with dependents. Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) Website
The AmeriCorps Child Care Benefits Program is a childcare program that all full-time members can apply for if they have children under the age of 13. Your eligibility is based upon your household gross monthly income, which includes your monthly living allowance and income of any spouse. Application for this benefit can take several weeks to process.
You may choose a licensed care provider or an unlicensed care provider to come to your home and provide for your child only.
If we have required AmeriCorps overnight activities, childcare is paid for 24 hours a day.
The benefits listed on this page may not apply to all applicants. The benefits that are guaranteed to all members are the living allowance, health insurance, mileage reimbursement (if applicable), and education award (upon successful completion of a service term).
Food assistance, child care, and student loan deferment are based on individual situations. Please contact us if you would like further information on benefits.