Press Releases
Wexton Urges DOL to Clarify Peace Corps, Americorps Volunteers Eligibility for COVID-19 Unemployment Benefits
Washington,
April 6, 2020
Washington, DC -- Today, Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton (D-VA) sent a letter to Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia, urging him to allow volunteers with the Peace Corps, Americorps, and other similar programs to be eligible for unemployment benefit programs passed in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. “Peace Corps participants represent the best of America in over 100 countries, working to improve the health, education, governance, and economic security of families and communities around the world. AmeriCorps participants do the same in cities across the United States,” wrote Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton. Wexton went on to say, “These individuals selflessly volunteered to help others abroad but were forced to cut short their plans and travel back home under much duress, and now face great uncertainty about their immediate futures and economic security. I strongly urge you to issue clear guidance regarding the eligibility of these individuals for unemployment assistance under the CARES Act.” Peace Corps and Americorps participants have had their service suspended due to COVID-19, and are not being paid their usual monthly living stipend. Under the CARES Act, signed into law on March 27, 2020, Congress expanded eligibility for unemployment benefits to many groups whose places of work have closed as a direct result of COVID-19 but would otherwise be unable to claim this assistance, including independent contractors, self-employed individuals, and “gig” economy workers. In 2019, Virginia was ranked 4th among top volunteer-producing states per capita for the Peace Corps and the 3rd in total number of volunteers produced. Virginia’s 10th Congressional District sent 41 of its residents to the Peace Corps that year. This past January, Wexton met with and volunteered alongside AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) members working to help redesign the Manassas National Battlefield Park headquarters in her district. The full text of Wexton’s letter can be found here and below.
April 6, 2020 The Honorable Eugene Scalia Secretary Scalia, I write today regarding the Peace Corps and other national service programs and the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program created by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. I urge you to issue guidance clarifying that participants with the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, and other similar programs are eligible to receive unemployment assistance under the CARES Act. Peace Corps participants represent the best of America in over 100 countries, working to improve the health, education, governance, and economic security of families and communities around the world. AmeriCorps participants do the same in cities across the United States. Participants receive a monthly stipend for their service abroad. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, the Peace Corps has suspended all international operations and evacuated all of its participants back to the United States. These participants are eligible for some readjustment and evacuation allowances but not unemployment assistance, as the Department of Labor has previously determined that this service does not constitute an employer-employee relationship. Recognizing the unprecedented nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, the CARES Act, which was signed into law by President Trump on March 27, 2020, significantly expanded eligibility for unemployment assistance to include many groups who otherwise would be unable to claim these benefits. For example, individuals whose place of unemployment has been closed as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic are made eligible, as are independent contractors and gig economy workers despite the lack of an employer-employee relationship in their line of work. Given that Peace Corps and AmeriCorps participants have had their service suspended due to COVID-19, they should be eligible for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program under the CARES Act. These individuals selflessly volunteered to help others abroad but were forced to cut short their plans and travel back home under much duress, and now face great uncertainty about their immediate futures and economic security. I strongly urge you to issue clear guidance regarding the eligibility of these individuals for unemployment assistance under the CARES Act. I thank you for your consideration and look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Wexton ### |
