Home : FAQ : National Service Benefits and Federal Aid :
Frequently Asked Questions About AmeriCorps and Disability Benefits
Do the same rules about disability benefits apply to every AmeriCorps member?
The rule for AmeriCorps VISTA members differs from the rule for all other types of AmeriCorps members. Receiving member benefits will generally not affect an AmeriCorps VISTA member's eligibility for any government-provided benefits. For all other types of AmeriCorps members (e.g., AmeriCorps State, National, Education Award, Promise Fellows) receiving AmeriCorps benefits may affect the member's Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), and other benefits under the Social Security Act. The guidance below applies to any AmeriCorps member other than an AmeriCorps VISTA member.
Is there a chance that my participation in AmeriCorps will endanger my disability benefits?
Yes. We are aware of several instances in which the AmeriCorps living allowance resulted in a determination by the Social Security Administration that the individual was engaged in Substantial Gainful Activity and therefore no longer disabled. You can decrease this risk by taking advantage of Work Incentives and income exclusions available for SSI and SSDI recipients.
Will my SSI benefits be affected by participating in AmeriCorps?
Because SSI is a need-based program and the SSA considers the AmeriCorps living allowance to be earned income, participation in AmeriCorps is likely to result in a decrease in your monthly SSI benefits. But you can lessen the reduction (and substantially increase your total income) by taking advantage of SSA's Work Incentive options. In addition to the basic Work Incentives available to all SSI beneficiaries, SSA recently
- Extended the Student Child Earned Income Exclusion to AmeriCorps members under the age of 22 who are neither married nor the head of a household; and
- Decided to exclude from countable income the AmeriCorps education award
to the extent it is used for paying tuition, fees, and other necessary educational
expenses not including room and board or repaying student loans.
To learn more about these SSI policy changes, go to http://www.socialsecurity.gov/work/youth.html.
If I enroll in AmeriCorps, can I keep receiving my SSDI benefits?
Because SSDI is an insurance program, you will not lose SSDI benefits on the basis of earned income. However, it's possible that your participation in AmeriCorps could result in the Social Security Administration reviewing its determination that you are disabled. Here again, you may be able to take advantage of SSA's Work Incentive options to keep your SSDI eligibility intact while participating in AmeriCorps.
What are Social Security Work Incentives, and how can I find out more about them?
Work Incentives are special rules that allow persons with disabilities receiving SSDI or SSI to earn income and still receive monthly payments and Medicare or Medicaid. To find out more, talk with your Social Security representative or contact the SSA toll-free hotline at 1-800-772-1213. Also, SSA has information online at www.ssa.gov: A Desktop Guide to Social Security Work Incentives.
If I enroll in AmeriCorps, will I keep my Medicaid eligibility?
In all likelihood, yes. However, this is a case-by-base determination, so you should verify this with your Medicaid agency.
What is the relationship between AmeriCorps health insurance and Medicaid?
If you are eligible for health insurance through AmeriCorps, you should be sure to enroll in the AmeriCorps policy. As a payer of last resort, Medicaid "wraps around" your AmeriCorps coverage, and it may not pay costs covered by the AmeriCorps policy.
For more information, email whudson@cns.gov
©The National Service Inclusion Project is a cooperative agreement (#01CAM0016) between the Corporation for National and Community Service and the Institute for Community Inclusion at UMass Boston in collaboration with the Association of University Centers on Disabilities.