If you have a legal or serious medical problem, you should notify your Community Counselor. If your counselor is not available and you cannot wait for their return, you may call the 24 hour emergency service at 1-800-928-7247. If you need medical treatment and are unable to sign a consent form, Au Pair in America has a signed release on file for treatment (included as part of the agreement signed by you at the time of your application to the program).
Federal Regulations
Au Pair in America and EduCare in America are programs designated by the Department of State to sponsor an au pair/companion on an Exchange Visitor Program intended to provide its participants an opportunity to “learn about American culture, improve English language skills and to assist host families with child care while living with American families as a guest member ‘on par’ for a 12 month cultural exchange.”
Since 1986, the program has evolved, and legislative authorization remains an essential element that continues to distinguish this program from other in-home child care options. The government has issued regulations that establish the framework for recruitment, placement and monitoring of au pair/companion and host family relationships.
The regulations are included in the Host Family Guidelines for a Successful Year available on your host family site. The Code of Federal Regulations can also be found online – au pair regulations are sited at section 62.31.
The Social Security Administration will issue a “Valid for Work Only With DHS Authorization” Social Security card to any au pair/companion participating in a Department of State authorized au pair program. To apply for a restricted working Social Security card, an au pair must go in person to the local social security office in their community. They can go four business days after their arrival in the United States with the following documents:
- Valid Passport
- DS 2019 form
- I-94 card print out from the CBP website
- Proof of identification that is at least one year old (e.g. passport, driver’s license, birth certificate)
- It is recommended that they bring their participation letter as some au pairs have needed this (they can download their participation letter on your au pair portal)
Social Security will verify the au pair’s status in SEVIS before a Social Security card number can be assigned.
If there is a discrepancy with information, the social security office may deny the au pair a Social Security card and would request a manual verification of data, which would take additional time.
If the social security office says that they cannot issue a Social Security card and returns the application and documents, please call Fiorella Ciralli at Au Pair in America, (800) 928 -7247, ext. 5087, or email apiacompliance@aifs.com for further assistance.
Lost Passport
If your passport was stolen, the first thing you should do is to file a police report. If you lost it, then you don’t need to tell the police. In either case you should call the Stamford office to speak to the Compliance Officer. Then you should contact the consulate (or embassy in DC) of your home country and get the process started to replace your passport.
Lost Visa
If you lose your passport, you have also lost your visa. To replace your visa, you must return to your home country once you have received a new passport and go back to the U.S. embassy and apply for another visa. You must go in person. There is no guarantee that you will receive another visa, so this is a big risk. With no visa, you cannot travel outside the U.S., but you can stay in the U.S. to finish the program.
It is best to use a different form of identification and leave your passport safely at home. Make a copy of your passport and visa and keep it in a safe place.
Classes in First Aid and CPR are available all over the country through the American Red Cross. Au pair in America will pay for the cost of a class providing you have at least six months left on your visa and you are taking the Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED class. Explore the classes in your area and check with your Community Counselor on how to sign up.
Look for the Red Cross Chapter closest to you to find their course schedule at https://www.redcross.org/where/chapts.html.
Lost your insurance card information?
Contact the insurance team at (800) 303-8120, prompt 5 or 203-399-5130 or email claimhelp@culturalinsurance.com. Include your full name, ID number, and your Host Family’s address.
You can also go to your portal using the following link, https://www.mycisi.com/CISIPortalWeb/pub/login.aspx?PT=GEN, input your information and access your insurance card.
All au pairs are covered under a medical insurance policy arranged by Au Pair in America. The cost of this policy is covered by the program fees that the host family pays. Details of the medical insurance, including the policy number, dollar limits of coverage, and exclusions are available in the Insurance Brochures.
Insurance and Claim Filing Process Outline
This is a brief outline of the insurance and claim filing process. Please consult the brochure provided for detailed policy information or contact our insurance team at (800) 303-8120, prompt 5 or 203-399-5130 or email claimhelp@culturalinsurance.com
Have you decided to travel or stay up to 30 days longer in the US after your program end date?
If so, you must have medical insurance coverage for this period. Insurance is required if you do not select the first available departure date after your program end date or if you do not already have the Travel & Sports insurance package or comprehensive insurance coverage, and if you cannot provide proof of other insurance coverage. Au Pair in America can provide you with an extension of your current Insurance Plan at a minimal cost.
The extra month of insurance coverage will extend all your current benefits: Medical Coverage for each accident or illness; Team Assist Emergency Medical Coverage; and the Personal Liability Benefit. (Please note: Some limitations and exclusions apply. Refer to your Plan of Insurance summary for further information.)
Additional benefits of extending coverage:
- Should you have an accident during your travels, your Emergency Medical Coverage will remain in effect. This coverage will provide for medical evacuation to the nearest appropriate facility and medically necessary repatriation to your home country. (See Plan of Insurance brochure for further details of coverage.)
- If you do not purchase this coverage and suffer an illness or injury, no coverage will be provided to you. This is against program regulations. You must have insurance coverage for your travel month. We will not purchase a return flight for you without insurance coverage for your travel month.
- For a minimal cost, you can have the peace of mind that in the event of an accident or illness, you will be covered.
We will provide this coverage at a cost of $195.
For more information and resources please contact us via phone or email.
