Politics & Government

VOW To Hire Heroes Act Benefits Unemployed Veterans and Employers

The federal legislation goes into effect July 1, and aims to lower the unemployment rate of veterans and reward the companies that hire them.

 

The Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) to Hire Heroes Act intends to help veterans between the ages of 35 and 60, especially ones with service-related disabilities, find training and employment.

Nearly 900,000 veterans across the United States find themselves unemployed since returning home from service, according to the U.S. House Committee on Veterans Affairs. 

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"It's sad that the unemployment rate of veterans has generally remained three points higher than that of equivalent age groups of civilians," said County Council Vice Chairman Mario J. Civera. 

Delaware County Council announced their support for the legislation and the joint effort between employers and job-seeking veterans at a council meeting last Wednesday. 

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The services offered by VOW will provide education and training opportunities for vets not already enrolled in other employment or education programs. 

"It's really something we can be proud of in the county," Civera said. 

Under new Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) provisions, employers can claim a tax credit for veterans hired before the start of 2013.

Officials hope the federal assistance will ease the transition to civilian life for former soldiers, both locally and nationwide.

"I strongly support the VOW to Hire Heroes Act because it will help make job opportunities more available for the veterans right here in our area," said U.S. Rep. Patrick Meehan. "The men and women who so honorably served our country deserve the best possible resources we can provide when they return home."


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