Hiring Veterans
Employers who hire post-9/11 era veterans, especially those who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn or Operation Enduring Freedom, may be eligible for training funds. All private businesses, including private, nonprofit hospitals, can apply to TWC for training offered by their local community or technical college, or the Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX), to upgrade the skills of newly hired veterans. We review the applications and work with the college to fund the specific courses selected by businesses for their employees. Access application forms and instructions from the TWC website.
The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) for Veterans
WOTC is a federal income tax benefit administered by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) for employers who hire individuals from specified target populations, including veterans. WOTC reduces a business’s federal tax liability, serving as an incentive to select job candidates who may be disadvantaged in their efforts to find employment.
Qualifying for WOTC
Employers are eligible for a tax credit when hiring individuals with specified barriers to employment identified as target groups. TWC will verify for employers which target group applies. Tax credits currently are available for hires in the following categories:
| Veterans Target Group | Maximum Tax Credit |
|---|---|
| Disabled veterans with a service-connected disability who have been unemployed for at least 6 months | $9,600 |
| Veterans who have been unemployed for at least 6 months | $5,600 |
| Disabled veterans with a service-connected disability | $4,800 |
| Veterans receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits | $2,400 |
| Veterans who have been unemployed for at least 4 weeks | $2,400 |
