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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
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<p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Attention
NCIL Members! <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>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 <a
href="http://www.silc.idaho.gov/Americorps.htm">Idaho SILC's Accessible Network
Transportation Project</a>. It can also be a benefit to young workers or people
with disabilities returning to the workforce by providing valuable experience.
<br>
Find out more about Americorps at: <a href="http://www.americorps.gov/">http://www.americorps.gov/</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><img border=0 width=129 height=129 id="_x0000_i1036"
src="cid:image001.jpg@01CA3AD5.14120210"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>AmeriCorps has helped my employment prospects
immeasurably; I have more experience under my belt and have made a lot of
contacts.”<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>–AmeriCorps Member<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>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 can help your
consumers and your Center. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>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. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><strong><b><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>What
is AmeriCorps?</span></font></b></strong><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><strong><b><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>What
Do AmeriCorps Members Do?</span></font></b></strong><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>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. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><strong><b><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Who
Can Join AmeriCorps?</span></font></b></strong><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>AmeriCorps
members must be at least 17 years old (there is no upper age limit) and a <st1:country-region
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region> citizen,
national, or legal permanent resident alien. People of all backgrounds are
welcome to apply; education requirements vary by program.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><strong><b><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Benefits
of Serving in AmeriCorps</span></font></b></strong><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>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! <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><strong><b><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Time
Commitment</span></font></b></strong>: 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.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p><strong><b><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Locations</span></font></b></strong>:
AmeriCorps opportunities exist in communities across the nation, including small,
medium, and large cities.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p><strong><b><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Training
Opportunities</span></font></b></strong>: 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.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p><strong><b><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Reasonable
Accommodations</span></font></b></strong>: 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, President 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.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> “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.”<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>–AmeriCorps Member<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><strong><b><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>SSI</span></font></b></strong>:
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. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p><strong><b><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>SSDI</span></font></b></strong>:
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. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p><strong><b><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>AmeriCorps
and Other Public Assistance Programs</span></font></b></strong><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><strong><b><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Medical
Assistance (MA)</span></font></b></strong>: 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. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p><strong><b><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Food
Stamps</span></font></b></strong>: The AmeriCorps living allowance does not
affect eligibility for Food Stamps. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p><strong><b><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Other
Benefit Programs</span></font></b></strong>: Involvement in AmeriCorps may
affect eligibility for other programs. Some subsidized housing programs do not
count the living allowance, but others may count it. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p><strong><b><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Waiving
the Living Allowance</span></font></b></strong>: 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 waive 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. <o:p></o:p></p>
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