Benefits
In addition to amazing networking and professional development, the VISTA year offers some incentives to members to help them fight poverty with passion. While members are not considered employees, they do receive a living allowance (that looks a lot like a paycheck!) and can qualify for a whole range of other benefits during the VISTA year.
The VISTA Living Allowance
AmeriCorps VISTA members serving with Michigan Nonprofit Association receive their living allowance on the 15th and 30th of each month through direct deposit. If either of these days falls on a weekend, the deposit will be made on the Friday before. This amount varies based on the county of the host site. Due to differences in the cost of living, members in urban areas and rural receive different amounts. If you would like some resources on how to live on the VISTA Budget, click the pig to go to our "Budgeting Toolkit".
Other than the living allowance, AmeriCorps VISTA members also may qualify for some of the financial assistance listed in the chart below. To see if you qualify, check with your VISTA Leader.
Other Benefits
Health care benefit
Under the Affordable Care Act, all Americans – including VISTAs – are required to have health insurance.
VISTA members who maintain health insurance during their service term may opt into the AmeriCorps VISTA Healthcare Allowance. This allowance is a supplemental healthcare reimbursement program that covers out-of-pocket costs associated with healthcare. Out-of-pocket expenses may include: your annual deductible, coinsurance, copayments, and other charges for qualified medical expenses. The Healthcare Allowance will help offset these expenses up to $6,600. The Healthcare Allowance does not cover costs associated with premium payment or charges associated with dependents or any other individuals covered under your healthcare plan.
VISTA members who are legally exempt from maintaining health insurance coverage during their term of service are eligible to enroll in the AmeriCorps VISTA Health Benefit Plan. The plan is available to eligible members at no cost and covers most non-routine services, limited preventive care visits (e.g., an annual ob-gyn visit for women), medical emergencies, surgical and hospitalization expenses, and certain prescription drug costs. It does not cover pre-existing conditions, routine dental care, or vision. The plan does not cover dependents, including your spouse. The AmeriCorps Health Benefits Plan does not satisfy the individual responsibility requirement of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
International Medical Group (IMG) is the administrator of the AmeriCorps VISTA Healthcare Allowance and the AmeriCorps VISTA Health Benefit Plan. For details about either benefit, please visit: americorpsvista.imglobal.com.
At the start of your VISTA term, you’ll need to complete a Member Enrollment Form to indicate which benefit option you would like. The form can be completed online by creating a “My IMGVISTA” account at americorpsvista.imglobal.com or by downloading the Member Enrollment Form and sending it to IMG.
VISTA members who maintain health insurance during their service term may opt into the AmeriCorps VISTA Healthcare Allowance. This allowance is a supplemental healthcare reimbursement program that covers out-of-pocket costs associated with healthcare. Out-of-pocket expenses may include: your annual deductible, coinsurance, copayments, and other charges for qualified medical expenses. The Healthcare Allowance will help offset these expenses up to $6,600. The Healthcare Allowance does not cover costs associated with premium payment or charges associated with dependents or any other individuals covered under your healthcare plan.
VISTA members who are legally exempt from maintaining health insurance coverage during their term of service are eligible to enroll in the AmeriCorps VISTA Health Benefit Plan. The plan is available to eligible members at no cost and covers most non-routine services, limited preventive care visits (e.g., an annual ob-gyn visit for women), medical emergencies, surgical and hospitalization expenses, and certain prescription drug costs. It does not cover pre-existing conditions, routine dental care, or vision. The plan does not cover dependents, including your spouse. The AmeriCorps Health Benefits Plan does not satisfy the individual responsibility requirement of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
International Medical Group (IMG) is the administrator of the AmeriCorps VISTA Healthcare Allowance and the AmeriCorps VISTA Health Benefit Plan. For details about either benefit, please visit: americorpsvista.imglobal.com.
At the start of your VISTA term, you’ll need to complete a Member Enrollment Form to indicate which benefit option you would like. The form can be completed online by creating a “My IMGVISTA” account at americorpsvista.imglobal.com or by downloading the Member Enrollment Form and sending it to IMG.
Segal Education Award or End of Service Stipend
The Segal Education Award is a pool of money awarded to VISTA members who successfully complete a year of service and opt in for the award. The dollar amount of a full-time education award is tied to the maximum amount of the U.S. Department of Education's Pell Grant. Since the amount of a Pell Grant can change from year to year, the amount of an education award can vary from year to year, please check with your VISTA Leader if you need to clarify the amount you will be eligible for. The Education Award may only be used for educational purposes, which includes past or future loans as well as educational materials such as textbooks or computers for school. You are given seven years from your end date to use the award, and the money is taxable in the year that you use it.
This information was taken directly from http://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps/segal-americorps-education-award
The End of Service Stipend is the alternate option to the Segal Education Award. The stipend amount is roughly $1,800.00 and is deposited into your account along with your last few living allowance checks. These funds are unrestricted, meaning that you can use the money for anything you want.
This information was taken directly from http://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps/segal-americorps-education-award
The End of Service Stipend is the alternate option to the Segal Education Award. The stipend amount is roughly $1,800.00 and is deposited into your account along with your last few living allowance checks. These funds are unrestricted, meaning that you can use the money for anything you want.
Non-Competitive Eligibility (NCE)
Non-competitive eligibility allows a federal agency to hire a VISTA alum who meets the minimum qualifications for a federal job, without going through all the formalities of the competitive process. VISTA alum may be hired as a non-competitive eligible appointee after successfully completing at least one full year of VISTA service. This status lasts for 1 year following the completion of service. To establish non-competitive status, you will need to print out and include your statement of non-competitive eligibility with any federal job applications. However, please note that the federal agency is not required to hire you, and you are not guaranteed a federal civil service job.
Learn more about NCE on the VISTA Campus!
Learn more about NCE on the VISTA Campus!
Relocation reimbursement
If you are relocating over 50 miles to reach your host site, you are eligible for a relocation reimbursment of $550.00 to offset the cost of transportation and settling in to your new community. This will be deposited 6-8 weeks after your relocation into the account you've selected for your direct deposit. In order to receive the relocation reimbursement, you must show up for the required trainings, including PSO and Post-PSO.
AmeriCorps Child Care
If you have children and need to put them in daycare during your service hours, AmeriCorps VISTA may help offset that cost by paying a set amount directly to the child care provider. This will continue throughout your service term. MNA does not administer the child care benefit; each VISTA will work with VISTA's childcare contractor to make the arrangements for child care.
For more details, visit https://www.americorpschildcare.com/
For more details, visit https://www.americorpschildcare.com/
Food Assistance
As an AmeriCorps VISTA member, you many be eligible for food assistance via the Michigan Bridge Card. A Bridge Card can be used to buy groceries using money provided by the Department of Human Services.
To find out if you are eligible, go to http://www.michigan.gov/dhs/0,4562,7-124-5453_5527---,00.html
MNA does not make arrangements for VISTAs to receive food assistance, as this is determined by the eligibility and desires of each VISTA member. However, MNA can provide proof of your service in a letter that can be shared with Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) which has, at times, expedited the process for VISTAs to complete the application for food assistance.
To find out if you are eligible, go to http://www.michigan.gov/dhs/0,4562,7-124-5453_5527---,00.html
MNA does not make arrangements for VISTAs to receive food assistance, as this is determined by the eligibility and desires of each VISTA member. However, MNA can provide proof of your service in a letter that can be shared with Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) which has, at times, expedited the process for VISTAs to complete the application for food assistance.
Finding out what benefits you qualify for
In addition to food assistance, some VISTAs may qualify for other federal or state assistance during their VISTA year. It is up to each member to determine which benefits they are eligible for and making the necessary arrangements to receive those benefits.
One resource that can help in determining your eligibility is the Michigan Benefits Access website (mibenefitsaccess.org). By clicking on "Find Help Near You," you can find an MBA partner in your geographic region who can help you determine eligibiity for benefits and walk you through the process of applying.
These navigators don't usually help with the healthcare exchange, so to find assistance with that, please visit
https://localhelp.healthcare.gov/ to find a healthcare navigator.
One resource that can help in determining your eligibility is the Michigan Benefits Access website (mibenefitsaccess.org). By clicking on "Find Help Near You," you can find an MBA partner in your geographic region who can help you determine eligibiity for benefits and walk you through the process of applying.
These navigators don't usually help with the healthcare exchange, so to find assistance with that, please visit
https://localhelp.healthcare.gov/ to find a healthcare navigator.
