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Financial Support
Our financial supports are designed to cover your basic needs during your year of service. Your housing, public transportation costs to and from work, and health insurance are all covered. In addition, you will receive a modest monthly stipend to cover basic necessities.
The stipend is not designed to help you save, or to cover large expenses (like air travel, school application fees, or out-of-pocket prescription medication costs that exceed $500 per year). For most applicants though, it is enough to cover your basic needs like groceries, toiletries, and other essentials, especially when considering the savings that come from living communally. If you have additional financial needs, scroll down to learn about our Economic Access Fund.
The numbers are based on costs for basic necessities, which are a bit different depending on the city you live in. This year’s stipends (now updated for the 2023-2024 year) are bigger than ever before at:
Chicago
$795/month allowance
New Orleans
$745/month allowance
New York City
$877/month allowance
Washington, DC
$837/month allowance
Most Corps Members are able to support themselves on the allowance given that the program covers rent, health insurance, and commuting costs. It may be a more modest lifestyle than some are used to, but living in a community helps to keep the cost of living down and we provide subsidies for certain areas of life in the program (like dinners on program nights). You’ll need to make decisions about budgeting and collaborate with your housemates to decide priorities for the needs of the house, like how to buy food together. It sounds like a challenge (and it is), but it’s the best way to gain real-life budgeting skills that will last a lifetime. And don’t forget: you’ll be living in a city that offers tons of free and cheap ways to have fun!
While most Corps Members are able to support themselves on the allowance, we know that doesn’t include everyone. We are continuously striving to make the Jewish Service Corps more economically accessible to a wider variety of participants. A few years ago, we implemented an Economic Access Fund for our Corps Members to provide a safety net for those who don’t have access to other financial safety nets. The Economic Access Fund can be requested for expenses such as medication copays, winter clothes, transportation for a visit home, etc. We also recognize that for applicants with large additional expenses, or who come from poor or working-class backgrounds, the Service Corps may not yet be a feasible option. If you’d like honest support in thinking through whether the Service Corps is possible for you economically, please reach out to our Recruitment Director Emily Becker at apply@avodah.net.
Many loans can be deferred during a year in Avodah, though you should check with their specific loan provider to confirm. You’ll have to initiate this process yourself, and we’re happy to provide instructions and help you sort things out.
If public benefits haven’t been part of your financial support systems prior to Avodah, we don’t recommend utilizing public benefits during the service year, as your living stipend/housing/transport should cover basic needs. If you have significant expenses beyond those, or have utilized public benefits in the past, you might be eligible during your service year, in which case you’ll work with your Program Director to navigate the application process.
Our Recruitment team is here to help you through the application process and will be available every step of the way, from start to finish. We know that everyone’s background and needs are different, and they’re here to answer any questions you may have.
