417-18 Employment and Volunteer Program Payments

Effective Date: November 1, 2021

No Previous Policy

A. The Corporation for National and Community Services (CNCS)

1. Definition:

The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) administers a number of national and community service programs including AmeriCorps*VISTA, and the National Senior Volunteer Corporation and Domestic Volunteer Services programs which were formerly funded under the ACTION agency.

2. Unless presented with evidence to the contrary, consider that payments from the following programs are stipends or reimbursement for expenses and do not count as income for CHIP.

· ACE (Section 418 of Public Law 93-113.)

· Nutrition Program for the Elderly

· Retired Senior Volunteers Program (RSVP)

· SCORE

· Senior Companion Program

· Senior Health Aides

· The Foster Grandparent Program

· University Year for ACTION (UYA)

· AmeriCorps*VISTA (formerly just VISTA-Volunteers in Service to America) Do not confuse this with the AmeriCorps program described in 417-4. Checks should say AmeriCorps*VISTA when it is for the volunteer service.

3. Do not count interest earned on retained payments under these programs.

B. Benefits Received Under the Older American’s Act of 1965 that are not in the Form of Wages

1. Definition:

The Older Americans Act of 1965 was enacted to provide nutrition, supportive home and community-based services, disease prevention and health promotion services.

2. Payments or benefits received from programs under the Older American's Act of 1965 do not count as income unless the payment is in the form of wages. Generally, if a person is receiving at least minimum wage for the number of hours of service, the payment would be considered a wage and would count as earned income. However, the administrator of these programs has not declared that any such payments are in the form of wages. Payments that are stipends or reimbursement for expenses are not countable income.

3. Payments that are stipends or reimbursement for expenses are not countable income CHIP.

4. In addition, interest earned on excluded funds paid under the Older Americans Act does not count as income. Some types of programs include:

· health services;

· nutrition services;

· legal assistance; and

· Community service employment (i.e. Easter Seals).

5. Use documents in the individual's possession or contact with the provider or local council on aging to determine whether a wage or salary is paid. If the payment is not a wage or salary do not count the income.

6. Payments under the Experience Works! program are generally wages and would count as earned income. Experience Works! usually pays at least minimum wage for the number of hours a person provides services.

a. Request check stubs to decide if the payments are wages.

b. If the payments are stipends or reimbursements for expenses, they do not count as income.

7. If the individual says the payments are made under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), request verification of the funding source from the agency making payments (420-8).

C. Americorps State and National Program and Americorps National Civilian Community Corps

1. Definition:

CNCS also administers the AmeriCorps State and National program and the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (AmeriCorps NCCC) program. AmeriCorps includes community service projects such as educational programs, environmental activities and disaster relief. The AmeriCorps NCCC program is a residential service program for young adults aged 18-24 who participate in various community service projects.

Do not confuse AmeriCorps or AmeriCorps NCCC with the AmeriCorps*VISTA program. Documents such as check stubs should indicate which program is making the payments. If you cannot tell which program is making payments, request verification from the agency making the payment.

417-18 Employment and Volunteer Program Payments

Effective Date: November 1, 2021

1. Definition:

The Older Americans Act of 1965 was enacted to provide nutrition, supportive home and community-based services, disease prevention and health promotion services.

3. Payments that are stipends or reimbursement for expenses are not countable income CHIP.

6. Payments under the Experience Works! program are generally wages and would count as earned income. Experience Works! usually pays at least minimum wage for the number of hours a person provides services.

a. Request check stubs to decide if the payments are wages.

b. If the payments are stipends or reimbursements for expenses, they do not count as income.

7. If the individual says the payments are made under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), request verification of the funding source from the agency making payments (420-8).

1. Definition:

Do not confuse AmeriCorps or AmeriCorps NCCC with the AmeriCorps*VISTA program. Documents such as check stubs should indicate which program is making the payments. If you cannot tell which program is making payments, request verification from the agency making the payment.

2. Most payments are earned income. (See 419)

3. Some payments are for food and shelter expenses.