Benefits

As an ESC member, you have the opportunity to serve your community and know that you are making a difference.  You also get to be a part of a team of other committed individuals who want to work for change – just like you. 

In order to support you in your year of service with the Emergency Services Corps, our partners, AmeriCorps, New Castle County, New Castle County Firefighters Association and the YMCA of Delaware, have made it possible for you to receive a number of benefits:

Living Allowance:  Fulltime members receive a living allowance of $12,400 for the 12 month period they serve. Halftime members receive a living allowance of $6,200, and Reduced Halftime members receive $4,922.80. Quarter time members receive $3,100.  Members do NOT receive pay or a wage or a salary.  It is considered taxable income.  The allowance is paid every two weeks on the YMCA Resource Center’s pay schedule.  You receive the same amount regardless of the number of hours you serve in a pay period.

Health Insurance:  Fulltime members receive health insurance through BCS, a company that specializes in AmeriCorps program insurance.  Members are required to enroll in AmeriCorps health insurance if they are not covered by another insurance plan.  If you receive Medicaid, you are still required to sign up for AmeriCorps health insurance.  You are not covered under YMCA of Delaware health insurance, nor do you receive workers’ compensation.  Your BCS insurance does not cover any injuries incurred while performing service hours.  All members are enrolled in volunteer liability insurance for coverage during service hours. Members serving at fire companies should be covered under the fire company liability insurance for any injuries that occur while providing emergency services.

Education Award: After successfully completing the program, fulltime members are eligible to receive a $5,530 educational award. Halftime members are eligible to receive $2,675, and Reduced Halftime members receive $2,038. Quarter time members receive $1,415. Education awards can be used to pay off approved student loans or use toward future schooling at any approved Title IV educational institution.  This amount is paid through the National Trust in Washington, DC.  You have up to seven years to use the award.  If you quit or are released from program before the end of your term of service, you will not receive any of your education award. 

Student Loan Forbearance:  Members who have approved student loans are eligible to receive loan forbearance during there service period.  This means that you are not required to make the loan payments.  The loan still accrues interest, but if you successfully complete the program, all or a portion of interest accrued during the year will be paid by the National Trust.

Childcare:  Based on income eligibility, you may be eligible to receive childcare assistance through AmeriCorps*CARE.

YMCA Membership:  As a benefit of your service, you receive a free membership to the YMCA of Delaware for the course of your service year.