A Chance To Serve Act

HR 5682, the A Chance To Serve Act, expands benefits for Peace Corps volunteers and AmeriCorps participants. It extends non-competitive hiring eligibility to three years for both groups, ensures regular stipend payments (including during government shutdowns), and provides one year of health coverage post-service. The bill doubles the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award, increases living allowances to 200% of the poverty line, and suspends interest on federal student loans during service for both programs. It also removes barriers for refugees, asylees, and lawful permanent residents in national service programs and exempts certain benefits from federal taxation.