The medical evaluation process is the same regardless of an applicant’s age. All applicants undergo a comprehensive and personalized medical and dental assessment based on their health history and examination results. This information is used to determine if your individual medical needs can be supported in our host countries.

Only the Social Security Administration can determine whether, or how, your benefits will be affected while you serve as a Volunteer. As a Volunteer, both your readjustment allowance (accrued at the rate of $375 per month and paid at the end of service) and a small percentage of your monthly living allowance constitute earnings for Social Security purposes. Social Security and Medicare tax payments are deducted from your monthly readjustment allowance.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has indicated that it shall not continue Social Security payments to recipients who live in certain countries where the Peace Corps serves (including Kyrgyz Republic and Moldova) unless they appear personally before a U.S. Consular Officer. During service, fulfilling these SSA requirements will not always be feasible, and cannot be guaranteed. Applicants to these countries will receive more detailed information during the application process. For more information, visit socialsecurity.gov or call 800.772.1213.