OTDA Home Resources & Data Resources for Businesses - WorkPays NY
Resources for Businesses - WorkPays NY
There are work supports for low- to moderate-income New Yorkers that can help bridge the gap between what employees earn and the high cost of living. When lower-wage workers are able to supplement their income, feed their families, and acquire medical care, they will be more dependable, stable and valuable employees.
Major Work Supports for Your Employees
- Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) - Assistance for low- to moderate-income households in meeting their home energy costs.
- Employee Tax Credits - Credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credits, Child and Dependent Care Credit, and many more can help low- to moderate-wage earners to maximize their earnings.
- Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Sites - Employees can have their taxes prepared for free, saving the cost of tax preparation fees.
- Food and Nutritional Benefits - Nutrition programs such as the School Breakfast and Lunch Programs, Women, Infants and Child program (WIC), and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can supplement the food budgets of low- to moderate-income households.
- NY State of Health Marketplace – Employees can determine eligibility for free or low-cost coverage from Medicaid or Child Health Plus. Employers can use The Small Business Marketplace to offer affordable, high quality health insurance coverage to their employees.
Benefits of Work Supports
- Improve Attendance and Retention - Employees that are better able to provide for their families’ needs have better attendance. You will have more reliable employees, less turnover and reduced training and recruitment costs, and less employee time taken off from work.
- Help Supplement Wages - Many low- to moderate-wage employees are eligible to receive the Earned Income Tax Credit and other tax credits, food and nutritional benefits, and other work supports.
- Be the Bearer of Good News - Employees can receive more income through these supports and you can build trust with your employees by making them aware of these valuable resources.
- Bring Tax Dollars Home to Your Community - The substantial federal and state dollar influx into your community help boost the local economy and businesses.
What Businesses Can Do
Use your direct access to employees to inform, educate and dispel myths. Employees may mistakenly believe that:
- Certain benefits are only available to the unemployed and are not for working families;
- They would need to take time off from work to visit the local social service office;
- The tax credits and work supports are not large enough to make a difference in their lives
Talk to employees about Work Supports:
- At orientation
- At employee meetings
- Invite community partners/government agencies to speak/ take applications
Provide Work Support information to Employees:
- Post information on bulletin boards
- Make brochures available
- Add to your human resources website
- Charge Employee Assistance Program with assisting low-moderate earners secure work supports
- Include informational stuffers with paychecks
- Promote access to myBenefits.ny.gov
- An online tool where employees can see if they may be eligible for New York State benefit programs.
myBenefits
myBenefits.ny.gov is an Internet-based tool allowing quick, easy and confidential screening for an array of work supports that can help people make ends meet. By promoting the use of this website, you can help dispel myths and help get people connected to supports that can make them better employees.
Employer Tax Credits
Employers doing business in New York can lower their labor costs by taking advantage of Federal and New York State Tax Credits. Employment-based tax credits are designed to lower federal and state liability; translating into savings for you the employer. You may obtain tax credit savings of up to $9,600 by simply hiring one targeted worker for your company. Many of our job seekers when hired may qualify employers for a combination of Federal and State Tax Credits. Employers should consult their tax advisor, accountant or attorney regarding the availability of tax credits.