Legislation recently reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives would help connect disadvantaged people to jobs.
The Improve and Enhance the Work Opportunity Tax Credit Act, H.R. 1177, would update the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) to increase the credit percentage to 50 percent of qualified wages, add a second level of credit for employees who work 400 or more hours, and eliminate the age cap when SNAP recipients are eligible for WOTC.
The WOTC provides a federal tax credit to employers who hire workers who face barriers to employment such as individuals with disabilities, individuals experiencing long-term unemployment, SNAP recipients, and veterans. To reach and train WOTC eligible people, employers incur higher costs.
“The best anti-poverty program is a good job,” said U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-PA), who reintroduced the bill on Feb. 10. “The Work Opportunity Tax Credit is a program that supports employers and employees as they reenter the workforce. I am committed to helping disadvantaged Americans get back to work by advancing legislation to improve this proven tool.”
The legislation has the support of numerous organizations including the National Employment Opportunity Network.
“Congressman Smucker understands that we all benefit when job opportunities are extended to individuals who face barriers in the workforce, and I urge Congress to adopt as soon as possible his proposals to update and expand a very successful program,” Kitty Leggieri, the network’s president, said.