Serve Washington understands that it may be difficult to make ends meet solely on your AmeriCorps stipend.
Depending on your household income, you may be eligible for food assistance through Washington's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, SNAP (also called Basic Food). This program is provided through the Department of Social and Health Services, DSHS.
DSHS may require proof of your status as an AmeriCorps member and monthly stipend income. We have provided a sample letter below that can be used as a template to customize with your specific information.
Ask your primary service site staff to provide you with an income verification letter.
Text only:
<Delete this text and insert logo or type organization name here>
DATE: <Date of Letter>
TO: <Requestor>
FROM: <Sponsoring Organization>
SUBJECT Letter of Introduction for AmeriCorps Member - <Member Name>
Verification of income
To Whom It May Concern:
<Member Name> is an AmeriCorps member serving with our organization in partnership with Serve Washington. This member began their service on <Member Service Start Date> and the estimated date of completion is <Member Service End Date>. Please be advised that AmeriCorps members are stipended volunteers under the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993. Our AmeriCorps members receive a living allowance of $<amount> (pre-tax) per month. The living allowance is dispersed twice a month on the 5th and 20th.
Because this AmeriCorps program is funded under the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993, income that the volunteer receives as a stipend is excluded as income for all DSHS cash, food assistance, and medical programs. Department rules on how to treat this source of income can be found under Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 388-450-0045.
Please note that AmeriCorps members shall not be denied assistance or services because of such volunteer's failure or refusal to register for, seek, or accept employment or training during the period of such service. This protection of benefits, provided at 42 U.S.C. § 5044, applies to any governmental program, including federal, state, and local programs.
Sincerely,
<Project Site Staff Name>
<Title>
<Contact Info>
cc: AmeriCorps Member's File
