White Plains Youth and Businesses Now Eligible for Youth Works Program
New York Youth Works is a state program that matches certified businesses with qualified youth, ages 16 to 24, offering tax credits to the employer and job opportunities to at-risk youth.
The program, which was successfully run in 2012, was reauthorized in 2014 under the State Revenue Budget Bill with a population threshold change that allowed White Plains to be included as one of 13 cities in New York eligible for the program.
Mount Vernon, New Rochelle and Yonkers had already qualified in 2012. In addition, New York City, Utica, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Schenectady, Albany and the Towns of Brookhaven and Hempstead are part of the program.
Working with Assemblywoman Amy Paulin (D-Scarsdale), Assemblyman David Buchwald (D-White Plains), during a press conference promoting the program o May 21, said he fought in the legislature for White Plains’ inclusion in the program. He received support from White Plains Mayor Tom Roach, the Business Council of Westchester and the White Plains Youth Bureau.
Eligible businesses can earn up to a maximum $2,500 tax credit for each youth working part-time (20 to 34 hours per week) and up to $5,000 for those working full-time (35 hours or more per week). The credits are paid out per month with six-month and one-year thresholds.
To qualify businesses must be in good legal standing and be located within a reasonable commuting distance for youth who live in the areas listed.
Young adults who are unemployed and living in White Plains must be between the ages of 16 to 24 to qualify. Students ages 16 to 17 must be in school or attending classes to earn a high school equivalency diploma and need permission from a parent or guardian.
In 2012, the NY Youth Works program saw 1,270 businesses participate and 12,866 young adults hired statewide, providing them with the training and opportunities they need to be productive members of their communities.
Kevin Nunn, Executive Director of the White Plains Business Improvement District, which represents about 300 businesses in the White Plains downtown said he would encourage BID business members to certify for the program.
For more information on the NY Youth Works program and how to participate, businesses and youth can visit the NYS Department of Labor’s website at https://labor.ny.gov/careerservices/youth-tax-credit.shtm
