42 U.S.C. § 12655l: Living allowance

Summary

Full-time youth corps participants must get a living allowance at least equal to the average yearly subsistence allowance paid to VISTA volunteers under section 4955. Federal money can pay no more than 85% of that amount. A program can give up to 200% of that VISTA average, but the Corporation can lower or waive the minimum if doing so fits the program’s goals and the amount paid still covers basic local costs like food, housing, and transport. Programs that existed on September 21, 1993 are exempt. Programs in place on November 16, 1990 do not have to cut higher stipends so long as the excess is paid with non‑Federal funds. Residential youth corps are treated as organized camps for the Fair Labor Standards Act. Program agencies are encouraged to offer health insurance if participants don’t have it. Agencies may take a reasonable amount from the allowance to pay for room and board and must put those deductions into rollover accounts used only for those costs. Agencies must set deduction rates after checking actual costs and must provide facilities, basic emergency medical care, transport to worksites, disability accommodations, and other needed supplies. The Corporation can supply extra equipment or surplus federal items and should try to get logistical help from nearby military installations. Health and safety rules must be set and enforced to match federal, state, and local standards.

Title 42, §12655l

The Public Health and Welfare, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Full-time service

(1)Living allowance required

Subject to paragraph (3), each participant in a full-time youth corps program that receives assistance under this division shall receive a living allowance in an amount equal to or greater than the average annual subsistence allowance provided to VISTA volunteers under section 4955 of this title.

(2)Limitation on Federal share

The amount of the annual living allowance provided under paragraph (1) that may be paid using assistance provided under this division, section 12571 of this title, and any other Federal funds shall not exceed 85 percent of the total average annual subsistence allowance provided to VISTA volunteers under section 4955 of this title.

(3)Maximum living allowance

The total amount of an annual living allowance that may be provided to a participant in a full-time youth corps program that receives assistance under this division shall not exceed 200 percent of the average annual subsistence allowance provided to VISTA volunteers under section 4955 of this title.

(4)Waiver or reduction of living allowance

The Corporation may waive or reduce the requirement of paragraph (1) with respect to such national service program if such program demonstrates that—

(A)such requirement is inconsistent with the objectives of the program; and

(B)the amount of the living allowance that will be provided to each full-time participant is sufficient to meet the necessary costs of living (including food, housing, and transportation) in the area in which the program is located.

(5)Exemption

The requirement of paragraph (1) shall not apply to any program that was in existence on September 21, 1993.

(b)Reduction in existing program benefits

(1)In general

Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a program in existence on November 16, 1990, to decrease any stipends, salaries, or living allowances provided to participants under such program so long as the amount of any such stipends, salaries, or living allowances that is in excess of the levels provided for in this section are paid from non-Federal sources.

(2)Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938

For purposes of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 [29 U.S.C. 201 et seq.], residential youth corps programs under this division will be considered an organized camp.

(c)Health insurance

In addition to the living allowance provided under subsection (a), program agencies are encouraged to provide health insurance to each participant in a full-time youth corps program who does not otherwise have access to health insurance.

(d)Facilities, services, and supplies

(1)In general

The program agency may deduct, from amounts provided under subsection (a) to a participant, a reasonable portion of the costs of the rates for any room and board that is provided for such participant at a residential facility. Such deducted funds shall be deposited into rollover accounts that shall be used solely to defray the costs of room and board for participants.

(2)Evaluation

The program agency shall establish the amount of the deductions and rates under paragraph (1) after evaluating the costs of providing such room and board to the participant.

(3)Duties of program agency

A program agency may provide facilities, quarters, and board and shall provide limited and emergency medical care, transportation from administrative facilities to work sites, accommodations for individuals with disabilities, and other appropriate services, supplies, and equipment to each participant.

(4)Other Federal agencies

(A)In general

The Corporation may provide services, facilities, supplies, and equipment, including any surplus food and equipment available from other Federal programs, to any program agency carrying out projects under this division.

(B)Secretary of Defense

Whenever possible, the Corporation shall make arrangements with the Secretary of Defense to have logistical support provided by a military installation near the work site, including the provision of temporary tent centers where needed, and other supplies and equipment.

(5)Health and safety standards

The Corporation and program agencies shall establish standards and enforcement procedures concerning the health and safety of participants for all projects, consistent with Federal, State, and local health and safety standards.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, referred to in subsec. (b)(2), is act June 25, 1938, ch. 676, 52 Stat. 1060, which is classified principally to chapter 8 (§ 201 et seq.) of Title 29, Labor. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 201 of Title 29 and Tables. Codification Section was formerly classified to section 12553 of this title prior to renumbering by Pub. L. 103–82, § 101(a).

Amendments

1993—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103–82, § 101(d), added pars. (1) to (5) and struck out former pars. (1) and (2) which read as follows: “(1) In general.—From assistance provided under this part, each participant in a full-time youth corps program that receives assistance under this part shall receive a living allowance of not more than an amount equal to 100 percent of the poverty line for a family of two (as defined in section 9902(2) of this title). “(2) Non-federal sources.—Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a program agency may provide participants with additional amounts that are made available from non-Federal sources.” Subsec. (d)(4)(A), (B), (5). Pub. L. 103–82, § 101(e)(1), substituted “Corporation” for “Commission”. 1991—Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 102–10 substituted “subsection (a)” for “subsections (a) and (c)”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

of 1993 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 103–82 effective Oct. 1, 1993, see section 123 of Pub. L. 103–82, set out as a note under section 1701 of Title 16, Conservation.

§12655l Living Allowance