[nabs-l] FW: EXCEL! - AmeriCorps

[Joe Orozco]

 Given the somewhat recent talk about AmeriCorps, I thought some might find
this information useful:
 
Subject: EXCEL! - AmeriCorps


From: Olvia Claverie and 
the DC Council of the Blind dccbmail at aol.com
 
We would like to take this opprtunity to share some  information about the
Americorps Program and their commitment to inclusion. Americorps can be a
huge
benefit to Centers looking for qualified individuals with disabilities to
lead systems change activities! For an outstanding example of this, see the
Idaho SILC's Accessible Network Transportation Project.
It can also be a benefit to young workers or people with disabilities
returning to the workforce by providing valuable experience.   
Find out more about Americorps at:
 <http://www.americorps.gov/> http://www.americorps.gov/  

AmeriCorps has helped my employment prospects immeasurably; I have more
experience under my belt and have made a lot of contacts."

-AmeriCorps Member

AmeriCorps is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to volunteers
with disabilities. Thanks to the Heart Act of 2008, individuals receiving
SSI
and SSDI payments can accept AmeriCorps stipends without jeopardizing their
Social Security benefits. Please read on to learn how AmeriCorps =0
Acan help your
consumers and your Center.

AmeriCorps is committed to the inclusion of qualified individuals without
regard to race, color, national origin, disability, gender, sexual
orientation,
religion, political affiliation or other non-merit factors. We believe that
all individuals who are qualified and want to serve their community should
have the opportunity to do so.

What is AmeriCorps?

AmeriCorps is a national service program often referred to as the "Domestic
Peace Corps." People who join AmeriCorps commit to do a year of service in
exchange
for a modest living stipend and a scholarship. AmeriCorps is a real-life
education and work experience wrapped into one.

What Do AmeriCorps Members Do?

People who join AmeriCorps (called "members") provide direct service in the
areas of education, human needs, public safety, environment or homeland
security.
Examples include tutoring children, helping new immigrants find jobs, and
building houses. Some members coordinate community programs, recruit
community
volunteers, or work in an office setting. There are hundreds of different
AmeriCorps positions available, including full-time and part-time.

Who Can Join AmeriCorps?

AmeriCorps members must be at least 17 years old (there is no upper age
limit) and a U.S. citizen, national, or legal permanent resident alien.
People of
all backgrounds are welcome to apply; education requirements vary by
program.

B
enefits of Serving in AmeriCorps

Members receive a modest living allowance, health insurance, a child care
subsidy, and a scholarship ($4,725 for full-time service) to pay for higher
education
or to repay qualified student loans. Members also receive training, career
connections, marketable skills, and the chance to make a real difference in
people's lives. AmeriCorps is an awesome adventure and a way to gain the
experience of a lifetime!

Time Commitment: Full-time members complete 1700 hours of service in about
one year, usually starting in August, September, or October. Part-time
positions
are also available.

Locations: AmeriCorps opportunities exist in communities across the nation,
including small, medium, and large cities.

Training Opportunities: AmeriCorps members receive significant training and
personal/professional development opportunities. From 10% - 20% of an
AmeriCorps
members' hours are spent in training. Members are trained to perform the
specific service tasks of their position, and may be trained in other areas
such
as leading groups, coordinating volunteers, time management, and preparing
for a career after AmeriCorps.

Reasonable Accommodations: The people who manage AmeriCorps programs receive
training in how to provide reasonable accommodations to members with
disabilities,
and a fund exists to pay for reasonable accommodations if needed. SSI and
SSDI Benefits - The HEART Act On June 17, 2008, Preside
nt Bush signed into law
H.R. 6081, the Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act of 2008 ("the
HEART Act"), making AmeriCorps more accessible to people with disabilities. 

 "They didn't blink when I applied. In fact, they welcomed me with open
arms. And looking back, this was one of the greatest experiences of my
life."

-AmeriCorps Member

SSI: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal program that provides a
monthly cash benefit to low-income individuals who are aged, blind, or who
have a disability. In the past, receiving an AmeriCorps living allowance
could disqualify an individual from eligibility. The new law directs the
Social
Security Administration to ignore an individual's receipt of AmeriCorps
benefits for purposes of SSI eligibility. The AmeriCorps living allowance,
health
insurance, and child care subsidy are not counted as earned income for SSI.

SSDI: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a Federal program that
provides money to individuals with disabilities based on their payments into
the insurance program. There are separate laws and regulations for SSI and
SSDI eligibility and the HEART Act moved through Congress too quickly to
include
SSDI. The AmeriCorps living allowance is counted as earned income for SSDI.
We hope that Congress will extend the AmeriCorps exclusion to SSDI in the
near-future.


AmeriCorps and Other Public Assi
stance Programs

Medical Assistance (MA): Even if they have other health coverage, people
with disabilities may need MA to cover high prescription drug costs and
special
health expenses, such as personal care assistance. Persons on SSI can
receive MA at no cost. Other people with disabilities may qualify for the
Medical
Assistance for Employed Persons with Disabilities (MA-EPD) program, which
provides MA coverage for a monthly premium, based on income. As long as FICA
taxes are withheld, the AmeriCorps living allowance is counted as earned
income, thereby allowing AmeriCorps members with disabilities to meet the
work
requirement for MA-EPD.

Food Stamps: The AmeriCorps living allowance does not affect eligibility for
Food Stamps.

Other Benefit Programs: Involvement in AmeriCorps may affect eligibility for
other programs. Some subsidized housing programs do not count the living
allowance,
but others may count it.

Waiving the Living Allowance: Although AmeriCorps rules allow members to
waive their living allowance, people with disabilities should use caution in
doing
so. 2008 AmeriCorps provisions state: "Even if a member waives his or her
right to receive the living allowance, it is possible - depending on the
specific
public assistance program rules - that the amount of the living allowance
that the member is eligible to receive will be deemed available." Moreover,
it
may not be necessary to waiv
e the living allowance if a person qualifies for certain work incentives
that can be used to reduce the amount of income counted
by public programs.  



 

 



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