Employer Services VESID Can Save You Money!

Regional Marketing Representatives for employers and service providers:

Maureen is a Member of the
Borough Presidents Advisory Committee on Disability Issues

Arnold Dorin (212) 630-2355, is the acting regional marketing coordinator for the NYC region.  

VESID makes submitting a job order fast and easy for you.  You may:

• Phone our Regional Marketing Representative

Specific Services VESID can provide employers

• Recruitment
• Technical Assistance
• Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC)
• Workers with Disabilities Employment Tax Credit (WETC)
• Work Tryout
• On-the-Job Training Program (OJT)
• Job Coaching
• Job Orders

Some specific services we can provide employers in the Recruitment process include:

• Prescreening of applicants
• Job skills assessment
• Matching of skills to job requirements
• Training services
• Ongoing follow-up services to ensure your satisfaction
• Linkages with the Department of Labor, Department of Economic Development, and other employment resources
• Job placement services
  

VESID can provide technical assistance to help you:

• Fulfill your requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
• Save dollars through employer incentive programs such as Work Tryout and OJT (On-the-Job Training) and WOTC (Work Opportunity Tax Credit)
• Participate in local school district workforce preparation programs

Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC): The Federal Government is now allowing businesses to deduct up to 40 % of the first $6,000 of wages that they pay to eligible workers. This amount is deducted from the taxes the company owes the IRS, up to a maximum of $2,400 per person.

Workers with Disabilities Employment Tax Credit (WETC): New York State is now offering a tax credit of 35% of the first $6,000 in wages paid to eligible workers. This amount is deducted from the employer's New York State taxes, up to $2,100 per person. When combined with the WOTC, this credit is usually applied during the individual's second year of employment.

Work Tryout (up to 160 Hours): VESID can reimburse the employer for 100% of the consumer's entry level wages for the first four weeks of work. The purpose of this program is to enable employers to try out suitable job applicants with little or no work experience at specific job tasks with regard to possible/permanent employment. 

On-the-Job Training Program (OJT): VESID can pay training fees to an employer for a limited period of time when the employer can:

1. provide specific skills training and supervision to an individual

2. hire the VESID consumer upon completion of the training period or qualify the individual to reasonably attain other similar employment,

3. place the VESID consumer on the company's payroll during the training period covering the usual company benefits.

Job Coaching: This program allows VESID to pay the wages of a "coach" to help individuals who learn at a slower pace.

Placement Services - For employers wishing VESID to help meet their human resource needs, please call your placement counselor.  To place a job order on-line or by phone click here.  

Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC)

The Federal Government is now allowing businesses to deduct up to 40% of the first $6,000 of wages that they pay to eligible workers. This amount is deducted from the taxes the company owes the IRS, up to a maximum of $2,400 per person.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

There are eight groups of individuals who can be certified for the WOTC, including individuals with disabilities; recipients of AFDC, SSI, and Food Stamps; veterans, ex-felons, high risk youth and youth in summer employment. These individuals must work a minimum of 120 hours to receive a partial credit of 25%. The full credit becomes available after 400 hours of employment. Summer youth are exempt from the minimum hour restriction.

HOW CAN I TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS PROGRAM?

All Job Ready referrals from VESID can be certified for the WOTC. The Department of Labor can also certify workers.

WHAT PAPERWORK IS INVOLVED?

You will need to complete a very short IRS form--- #8850, ("Work Opportunity Credit, Pre-Screening Notice and Certification Report") as well as obtain a certification form from VESID. The individual MUST be certified prior to starting work. Documentation must then be mailed to the Department of Labor (DOL) within 21 days of commencement of employment. The DOL will mail you a certificate which should be submitted with your other tax documentation to the IRS.

Workers with Disabilities Employment Tax Credit (WETC)

Workers with Disabilities Employment Tax Credit Information Guide
The Workers with Disabilities Employment Tax Credit Program (WETC) was enacted to provide New York State employers with an incentive to hire individuals with disabilities into the New York workforce. It provides an additional incentive beyond that provided by the Federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit Program (WOTC).

WHAT NEW HIRES QUALIFY FOR THE WORKERS WITH DISABILITIES EMPLOYMENT TAX CREDIT?

To be eligible an employee must:

1. Meet the eligibility requirements for certification for the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) as a vocational rehabilitation referral who is certified by the New York State Education Department's Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID), or the Office of Children and Family Services of the Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped (CBVH);

2. Have worked on a full-time basis for at least 180 days or 400 hours during the year of qualifying wages; and

3. Have begun employment on or after January 1, 1997.
   

WHAT IS THE AMOUNT OF THE TAX CREDIT?

The tax credit is 35% of the first $6,000 in qualified first year wages earned by the employee. This applies to services rendered during the one year period beginning with the day the employee begins work.

-However-
If the Federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit is in effect, the amount of the credit is 35% of the first $6,000 in qualified second year wages earned by the employee. The maximum amount of the credit is $2,100.

HOW DO I BEGIN THE PROCESS?

Additional information can be provided by the VESID District Office or by a Regional Marketing Representative.

Work Tryout

The Work Tryout (up to 160 hours) is one way for a worker and an employer to get to know each other before any long term commitment for a job is made.

Some individuals with disabilities may not have a lot of work experience , especially if they are recent high school graduates or, as adults, have had to change their career goals because of a disability. Some of these workers may have completed a training program but lack work experience in their chosen field. These individuals often find they get the most accurate picture of a certain type of occupation or a specific company by actually completing a Work Tryout. VESID can reimburse a company 100% of an individual's wages for up to four weeks. Wages are paid according to industry standards for the job. That is, the same wages as any other employee doing similar work for your company.

Employers benefit because they can become familiar with an employee prior to a long term commitment. Workers benefit because they experience the job and the company on a first hand basis. Although the employer doesn't need to commit to the employee long term, it has been our experience that an employment offer is made after the four week period.

This wage reimbursement program requires the employer to place trainees on the company payroll and cover the trainees with all benefits including Worker's Compensation, Social Security, etc. No long-term commitment is made to train the worker in additional skills, commit to hiring the individual after the four-week period is over or, complete any paperwork until the completion of the Work Tryout. If you are interested in considering a Four-Week Work Tryout or, for more information, please contact either the individual's Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor or the Regional Marketing Representative.

On-the-Job Training

On-The-Job Training is a program designed to reimburse employers for the costs associated with training a new employee. Some individuals with disabilities may not have a lot of work experience, especially if they are recent high school graduates. Others may not have all of the skills necessary to meet all of the requirements of a new job. In both of these cases, use of VESID On-The-Job Training (OJT) funds are appropriate.

A VESID Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor can discuss the program with an employer and agree on a specific plan of training. The employer provides VESID with a written outline of what skills will be taught, as well as anticipated time frames for the training. Employers must agree to place the trainee on their payroll and cover them with all benefits including Worker's Compensation, Social Security etc. An employer can then be reimbursed for an employee's wages. Reimbursements are available for a specified period of time and are made on a decreasing basis over this period. As the individual gains in skills, a greater portion of the wages are assumed by the employer. The employer also agrees to continue employment for the trainee on a permanent basis assuming that the job adjustment has been adequate. Brief progress reports are submitted on a monthly basis. All OJT wages are based upon the prevailing industry rate for the particular job in question. That is, our trainees must receive the same wages as any other employee doing similar work for your company. Since each situation is specific to an individual, time frames as well as wages may be adjusted accordingly. If you have any questions about the availability of OJT funding, please call either the individual's Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor or the Regional Marketing Representative.

Job Coaching

Job coaching is a service designed to assist eligible VESID consumers meet the changing work requirements of employers. Job coaching can be used as a training method to prepare a consumer for employment with a particular employer. Job coaching can also be provided within the context of a larger program known as supported employment which provides a consumer and employer with on-going support for as long as the consumer requires it. The employer teaches the job coach about the job standards and then the job coach trains the employee. As the worker learns the job tasks, the coach's involvement fades to one or two visits per month to check on the worker's job performance.

Learn more about our employer services