Virginia Career Works South Central Return to Earn Grant Program

Through funding from Governor Northam’s Office, the Virginia Career Works South Central Return to Earn Grant Program, matches payments from eligible small businesses to provide new hires with up to $1,000 to support their transition back into the workforce. The Return to Earn Grant Program will serve businesses with less than 100 employees that may not have the resources to provide this financial support.

This initiative will match up to $500 that a qualifying small business pays directly to a new employee hired after May 31, 2021. Funds will only be reimbursed to businesses for new hires in positions that pay at least $15 per hour (tips included) and that qualify as W-2 employment, either full- or part-time. To help address workforce shortages in child care, qualifying child care businesses may qualify for up to $500 per new hire without the match requirement.

To request funding, please fill out the online application below.

Funding Criteria

The initiative will match up to $500 that a qualifying small business pays directly to a new employee hired after May 31, 2021, with a maximum of 25 new hires per employer.
Employer must match the full amount and provide all funds directly to new hires. This can be in either one lump sum or in installments to cover the ongoing costs of childcare, transportation, or other barriers to re-employment. Verification of how funds are used by the new hire is not required. Funding cannot be used to offset the employer share of the hiring bonus.
Qualifying small childcare businesses, who may be facing particularly challenging workforce shortages, may qualify for up to $500 per new hire without the requirement to match.
Only employers with fewer than 100 employees across all Virginia locations may qualify for funds. The employment facility where new hires will be placed must be located in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the employer must also be incorporated in Virginia.
Wages for new hires must be a minimum of $15.00 per hour (tips included). The position must be W-2 employment but can be part- or full-time. Funds may only be provided to new employees hired by the employer, and the individual hired must be currently unemployed (as attested by the individual).
If approved, the employer must enter into an agreement with the South Central Workforce Development Board. Payment will be issued after the employer submits verification that the employees have been hired.

Virginia Career Works South Central Return to Earn Grant Program – Online Application Form

Employer Name *

Tax Identification Number *

Address *

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

City

State

Zip Code

Contact Name *

Contact Email *

Contact Phone *

Number of Employees *

(must be under 100 employees)

Industry Type *

Number of New Hires that Matching Incentive Payment is being Requested *

(cannot exceed 25)

Hourly Wage of New Hires *

(must be above $15/hour, tips included)

Date of New Hire *

Amount of Return to Earn Funding Requested per New Hire *

(cannot exceed $500; amount must be matched by employer)

I attest that my company is incorporated in Virginia, and not currently disbarred from receiving federal or state funds and is current on all state obligations. I attest that the funding will not be used to offset my company’s share of the South Central Region's Return to Earn hiring incentive. *

I Attest

(Please enter name to confirm acceptance.)