For Employers Only - How You Can Take Advantage of the Tax Incentives and Other Benefits of Work First.
Work Opportunity Tax Credit
WOTC is a federal tax credit program available to employers who hire new employees from nine "targeted groups" which have historically had difficulty in finding employment.
The maximum federal income tax credit available is $2,400 per eligible worker (40 percent of up to $6,000 in qualified wages paid during the first year of employment if the employee works a minimum of 400 hours). If the employee works a minimum of 120 hours, but not more than 399 hours, the tax credit is based on 25 percent of up to $6,000. The exact amount of net saving depends upon each employer’s tax bracket plus the amount of qualified wages paid.
For more information on WOTC and for a list of the "targeted groups" go to www.ncesc.com/business/savemoney/wotc.asp
Federal Bonding Program
FBP enhances the employability of a potential employee by offering additional bonding protection in the amount of $5,000 per individual. Individual fidelity bonds are provided to employers for job applicants who are (or may be) denied coverage by commercial carriers. Coverage is provided at no cost to the employee or job applicant. More information about the FBP is available at www.ncesc.com.
100 Day No Fault Guarantee
Hiring employees through Work First can guarantee against unnecessary costs if the employee cannot do the job. If you have to terminate a new employee referred through Work First, your employment insurance account will not be charged if you notify the local Employment Security Commission office. The termination must occur within a 100-day probationary period. This gives employers a greater potential for holding down their unemployment costs by allowing more time to build successful working relationships and to evaluate the job performance of employees
Long-Term Family Assistance Recipient
Another option is the Long-term Family Assistance Recipient. This is a two-year credit. For the first year, credit is based upon 40 percent up to the first $10,000 in qualified wages, for a maximum first year credit of $4,000. For the second year credit is based upon 50 percent of up to the first $10,000 in qualified wages for a maximum second year credit of $5,000 (a combined potential of $9,000).
Applicants must complete the Work Opportunity Credit Pre-Screening Notice and Certification Request (IRS-8850) on or before the date of the job offer and the form must be mailed to the Employment Security Commission of North Carolina post marked no later than the 28th day after the applicant starts work.
First Stop Program
Through the passage of the North Carolina Welfare reform bill, all applicants and reapplicants for Temporary Assistance to Needy Families must first register for work with Employment Security Commission before their application can be completed. Registration can be completed at the local ESC office or at the Pitt County JobLink Career Center.
Employers can access Tax Credit forms from the local Employment Security Commission Office (355-9067) or online at www.ncesc.com.
Transit Commuter Benefit
The Transit Commuter Benefit is a fringe benefit that employers can provide to their employees. The benefit can be used to cover the cost of commuting to work on public transit, or certain qualifying vanpools. The monthly benefit can be any amount an employer chooses to provide however, the maximum tax deductible amount is $60 per employer.
Private employers, nonprofit organizations and public agencies can provide the benefit to employees tax-free.
Your Advantages as a Work First Employer
- Increased Recruitment Pool
- Lower Turnover Rate
- Positive Image in the Community
- Work Opportunity Tax Credit
Advantages to the Community
- Decreased Dependence on Welfare
- Positive Role Models
- Children of Working Parents are found to be healthier and more productive in school
Advantages to Your Work First Employees
- STRIVE Employment Training
- Possible eligibility for
- Medical Benefits up to One Year
- Child Care Subsidies
- Food Stamps
- Tax Break through the Earned Income Tax Credit
STRIVE Employment Training Program
The STRIVE (Support Training Results In Valuable Employees) job-readiness training is an intense process by which the hardest to employ are transformed into job-ready individuals. Stressing accountability, responsibility, positive attitude and personal growth, the entire training takes place in a simulated work environment where participants are given the opportunity to aggressively address personal obstacles to success. With the challenges and support of the trainers, individuals become empowered, discovering their own strengths and gaining the life skills necessary for success in the world of work.
After completing training, STRIVE graduates are assigned a Job Developer. The two work one-on-one, pushing the graduates to be proactive in their job search and teaching them how to effectively market themselves to employers. Strong relationships with local employers and lifetime access to services for all graduates are key components of STRIVE’s dedicated and effective approach to job development.
Committed to the ongoing development of its graduates, STRIVE employs an extensive follow-up system to provide post-placement support services. STRIVE actively maintains contact with graduates for a minimum of two years to identify and address concerns in an effort to ensure a graduate’s success in the workplace.
The Work First Program in Pitt County is working to help prepare clients for the job market and is determined to help the clients to locate suitable employment. DSS offers clients the opportunity to receive job readiness training through the STRIVE Employment Training program as well as using other work related activities.
The Work First Program offers clients supportive services that should help clients remain on the job. These supportive services include such things as help with child care, transportation, uniforms, tuition, books, fees, and other one time employment expenses.
With all of these things considered, Work First strives to offer our local employers good workers. We understand that the Pitt County work force is becoming more demanding, but we feel that our clients can help to meet some of that demand if given a chance.
George Perry, Director
Pitt County Department of Social Services
For General Questions About Work First, contact the Pitt County Department of Social Services, 1717 W. Fifth St., Greenville; 902-1111
For Job Development Opportunities, contact the STRIVE Office, 1413 S. Evans St., Greenville; 752-9774
This brochure is published by the Greenville-Pitt County Chamber of Commerce for services of marketing and education for Work First in partnership with the Pitt County Department of Social Services.
