Homes for Service

Member Resources Contact Us About Us

Homes for Service

Helping members live and serve in Washington State

Before You Arrive

Rental Resources

Support Sources

Seattle/King County

Bulletin Board

Healthcare

Full-time AmeriCorps*STATE and AmeriCorps*VISTA members are eligible for health care benefits while they serve.

AmeriCorps

For AmeriCorps (non-VISTA) members, Washington Service Corps (WSC) provides health coverage through Summit America Insurance (see brochure for more info about the plan). For health insurance questions, visit the WSC Frequently Asked Questions page or call the WSC (1-888-713-6080). For Claims Forms, visit the Summit America Claims site and click on the Washington Service Corps link. You can also find this information on the Member Resources page in the Health and Food section. For insurance immediately after ending service, many members choose short-term insurance coverage that is offered by many different insurance companies.

VISTA

AmeriCorps*VISTA members are offered a standard national plan through the Corporation for National and Community Service. For more information on the AmeriCorps*VISTA plan, visit the Seven Corners website. If you cannot find the information you need on the website, contact the Washington State VISTA Office at 206-220-7745. VISTA members can also extend their insurance after service (to be paid by them, of course) by visiting Celtic Conversion Coverage. You can find this information on the Member Resources page in the Health and Food section also.

Dental Care

Dental costs (except those caused by injury) are not covered under these plans.

Other resources:

Some supervisors and local Department of Social & Health Services (DSHS) offices keep lists of sliding-scale dentists and clinics that treat low-income patients.

Washington State Dental Association can refer you to local chapters that have lists of dentists willing to offer lower fees to uninsured, low-income patients. Please note that some areas have no local chapter of the WSDA and that not all chapters are staffed. If there is no contact given for your area, look at the WSDA homepage or contact them at either 1-800-448-3368 or 206-448-1914 or e-mail wsda@wsda.org. They should have contact information for every local society and have resources for referral.

Community Clinics: such as Sea-Mar, which sometimes offer low-cost dental services. Due to high demand, many offer only emergency services. However, if you call them and they are unable to see you, they often have information about other clinics or private practices that offer sliding-scale or reduced rates.

For screenings, simple fillings, and preventative care, try community and technical college dental clinics. Services generally consist of an initial screening to determine eligibility, then low-cost services if you qualify. First appointment generally includes exam, x-rays, and cleaning, and costs anywhere from $20-75. Appointments take a little longer, but prices are usually at least 1/3 cheaper than regular dental care. Please note that some clinics do not run in the summer and most do not perform emergency care or oral surgery.

Vision

Vision is not covered under the WSC or VISTA insurance except in cases of injury. Below are some options for low-cost exams and eyewear.

The first Wednesday of December, LensCrafters stores open early to provide free eye exams and glasses to low-income children and adults. Call your local LensCrafters for more details. If an individual contacts LensCrafters for free glasses, they will refer the customer to their local charity partners who will screen the client for need. If the client is eligible, they may receive free exams and eyewear through the Gift of Sight Program.

Lions Clubs are very involved in vision programs for low-income children and adults, nationally and internationally. Contact your local club for info on obtaining vision screenings and low-cost eyewear.

American Optometric Assn has a VISION USA program in which doctors volunteer to provide eye exams to low-income people who have not had an exam in two years. Application is available on-line.

Mental Health

While depression and loneliness are a normal part of life, if those feelings continue for an extended period of time, you probably want to consider seeing a counselor. If you have been feeling down, click here to read more about depression, and don't be afraid to ask for help! Here is some info and resources about mental health services available to you.

AmeriCorps: Mental health services are covered by WA Service Corps insurance. Both in-patient and out-patient services are paid at the 80% rate, just as other medical services. However, there is a $5000 limit on this type of coverage during any consecutive 24-month period.

VISTA: Mental health is covered by the Seven Corners insurance. Both in-patient and out-patient care is covered. In general, three out-patient mental health visits are covered per year (if not preexisting condition) while any additional outpatient mental health visits are subject to the pre-existing condition clause. Check the Seven Corners website for more details.

IF YOU NEED HELP: National crisis line number is 1-800-784-2433. Click here for local crisis lines and mental health clinics throughout Washington.

Childcare

AmeriCorps and VISTA members receive help in paying for childcare, although the benefits differ slightly between the programs. Members interested in taking advantage of this benefit should talk to their supervisors, and all communication regarding childcare (and the agency that runs it, NACCRRA) should go through the supervisor. To get a general idea of the childcare benefits, check out the NACCRRA website and the WA Service Corps childcare frequently asked questions and the NACCRRA childcare overview 07-08 Power Point presentation.

Eating on the Stipend

(Back to Top)

Food Stamps

Many AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps*VISTA members find it necessary, or at least helpful, to get benefits such as food stamps. AmeriCorps members are entitled to these benefits, but sometimes have difficulty obtaining them due to lack of familiarity with AmeriCorps at the Department of Social & Health Services offices. Here is the current information you need to know:

AmeriCorps members: According to the Washington Administrative Code 388-450-0045, the stipend does not count as income to be considered in allocating your food stamp benefits. This means your income is $0 (unless you have a second job) and you are entitled to full benefits. Additionally, because you are considered "categorically needy," your resources do not count against you (previously there was a $2000 limit for resources), and you should receive the full benefit (around $140/month).
VISTA members*: In a recent change Washington State has chosen to treat VISTA income when determining food stamp eligibility. VISTA members must apply for food stamp benefits prior to enrollment for the VISTA living allowance not to count against your eligibility. This link is the most current guidance: http://www1.dshs.wa.gov/esa/eazmanual/Sections/incmspecial.htm#388-450-0045

Ask your project supervisor for a Dept. of Social and Health Services letter of introduction to explain the differences between AmeriCorps and VISTA members.

How To Apply for Food Stamps: You can apply in person or start the application on-line.

General Food Stamp FAQ: Totally unfamiliar with the program? This national site from the federal government gives a good overview of the Food Stamp program.

Please use your food stamps responsibly and follow all guidelines carefully. Food stamps are for personal use only, not to provide snacks to your volunteers!

Individual caseworkers at each DSHS office are sometimes unfamiliar with the regulations regarding AmeriCorps and VISTA Food Stamp benefits. If you have any problems, call the DSHS Food Stamp Program Managers at Customer Relations:

1-800-865-7801

They know all the regulations and are very helpful!

Other Ways to Save Money on Food

Ideas from fellow VISTAs:

Local food banks (NW Harvest lists some, but not all, food banks in WA)

Other local resources such as Red Cross or United Way

Community food cooperatives and cooperative kitchens -- sometimes you can get discounts on food if you perform some volunteer work

Look at buying food in bulk, perhaps with some other AmeriCorps or VISTA members

Buy from farmers markets or local stores (including smaller ethnic grocery stores) that may be cheaper than traditional grocery stores. Many farmers markets also accept food stamps.

Contact your local volunteer center about "gleaning"--helping farmers harvest in exchange for extra produce they have

Grow your own food in window boxes, a backyard garden, or a local community garden.

Phone and Utility Assistance

In qualifying for food stamps, you automatically become eligible for a reduced-price phone service. Ask your caseworker at DSHS for information about this phone service (the TAP program), which reduces local phone bills to roughly $5 per month. Also ask about other resources for low-income folks that you may qualify for. Many areas offer utility and weatherization assistance, but there may also be other programs depending on your area--make sure to ask and to check all of the boxes for types of resources you may need! These programs are run by different organizations in different areas, so your local DSHS office is a good place to start.

(Back to Top)

Corporation for National and Community Service and WA Service Corps Disclaimer

Housing opportunities and information listed in this guide are for your informational purposes only and are in no way endorsed by the Washington Service Corps or the Corporation for National and Community Service. AmeriCorps members reading this guide must use their best judgment, scrutinize every opportunity, and make their own informed decisions on how they will use the information presented. This guide is current as of July 2007; however, contact information and pricing may be subject to changes.