As troops return to the Commonwealth from active duty, many struggle to find jobs. Governor Patrick’s administration has urged employers across the state to hire veterans. We encourage you to recruit veterans for any job openings you may have in the coming year.
- Veterans hiring toolkit for employers – guidance from the U.S. Department of Labor on recruiting veterans to your workplace
- Information on state-level initiatives from the Governor’s office
- More information is available through the state’s Department of Veterans’ Services
- In addition, the Massachusetts Department of Labor and Workforce Development offers resources to help employers recruit veterans and other target populations
- Veterans' Service Officers (VSO) are also a good resource. Every city and town in Massachusetts has a VSO to help veterans learn about, apply for, and receive benefits for themselves and their dependents.
- The New England Center for Homeless Veterans offers a commercial drivers license (class B) training course for veterans
Federal Benefits for Employers that Hire Veterans
On November 21, 2011, President Obama signed the Vow to Hire Heroes Act, which creates incentives for employers to hire veterans. Employers can receive tax credits for qualified veterans who begin work on or after November 22, 2011. This law has been extended to cover veterans hired through December 31, 2013.
How much can employers receive?
| If the Veteran | Maximum Credit |
| Has received SNAP (food stamps) for at least 3 months in the previous 15 months | $2,400 |
| Has a service-connected disability and is hired within one year of discharge or release from active duty | $4,800 |
| Has been unemployed for over 4 weeks | $2,400 |
| Has been unemployed for at least 6 months | $5,600 |
| Has a service-connected disability AND has been unemployed for at least 6 months | $9,600 |
Who is eligible?
Both for-profit and non-profit employers are eligible for these credits. Employers can receive credits for each qualified employee hired. However, employers cannot receive credits for hiring relatives or dependents of the employer, majority owners of the employer, or former employees.
What steps do employers need to take?
Massachusetts Contact:
Jack Sprince
Division of Employment & Training
19 Staniford Street, 1st Floor
Boston, MA 02114
617-626-5730
Fax 727-8671
jsprince@detma.org
More information is available from the U.S. Department of Labor’s website on the Work Opportunity Tax Credit.
This information is provided by the EOHHS Human Service Transportation Office