In addition to providing support to individuals who face significant barriers to employment, the Reentry Task Force also strives to assist employers in the hiring of these individuals. Below is basic information about several programs and links where you can learn more.

Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC)

WOTC is a federal tax incentive program for businesses hiring individuals who face significant barriers to employment. The employer or agent must apply for, and receive, certification from the Ohio Office of Workforce Development to claim these tax credits.

A cost-effective and streamlined way to request your tax credits is through the use of Ohio's online application.

Applications must be submitted to the Ohio WOTC Office within 28 days of the start to work date to meet the timely filing criteria.

Don’t miss this tax credit by missing the deadline.

For more information about WOTC, visit the program's website.

Federal Bonding Program

Individuals with criminal histories often find the reentry process challenging due to the employment barriers created by the criminal offense(s). Ex-offenders are routinely classified as “at risk” job applicants and routinely denied employment. Employers view these applicants as being potentially untrustworthy.

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) sought a means of eliminating bonding as a barrier to employment to ease employer concerns that “at risk” job applicants would be untrustworthy workers. In 1966, the DOL created a Federal Bonding Program that would cover anyone who was at risk and was formerly classified as NOT BONDABLE.

Since 1998, the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction has managed the Federal Bonding Program. For the bond to be processed and issued, the employer must make the applicant a job offer and set a date for the individual to begin work. Fidelity Bond Insurance is effective for six (months) with a coverage amount of $5,000 free to the employer and expires six months later. After the six months, continued coverage will be made available if the worker has exhibited job honesty under the program’s bond.

The Federal Bonding Program is currently administered by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (DRC).

Other programs for employers
Ohio is home to countless employment programs to help you get the training, experience and connections you need. Local and regional programs can be found on the OhioMeansJobs site.