Pre-Service Information: Shipping Expenses and Relocation Allowances

From an email from Paul Hansen, May 29, 2007:

=== Shipping Expenses ===

The Corporation for National and Community Service (which administers AmeriCorps programs) will reimburse you for shipping boxes when you are relocating per the following formula which is taken from the AmeriCorps*VISTA Members' Handbook [pdf].

"The baggage allowance, based on direct mileage between two points, is $25.00 per 100 miles, rounded down to the nearest hundred, with a maximum of $500.00. The weight of the shipment is not considered in determining the reimbursement. In all cases, members must provide receipts.

The baggage allowance is paid by check from the Corporation and should reach the member within his/her first month on the project. For shipment related to close of service, the check should be received before or within a month following departure."

If you ship items before the orientation, bring your receipts with you and you can submit them at that time. Otherwise, you can fax them to us later.

=== Relocation Allowance ===

Anyone relocating more than 50 miles will be receiving the $550 relocation allowance. This is included in your first living allowance check. The living allowance is paid every two weeks per the DASCorps Payroll Schedule.

You don't have to fill out any forms to receive the allowance. We calculate the distance based on the address that you provided in your AmeriCorps application.

=== Relocation Information ===

If you are relocating to a new part of the country, you should feel free to contact the people you interviewed with at the host organization for recommendations on housing. They understand that this is a big concern for new VISTAs and I'm sure they will be as helpful as they possibly can.