FEDERAL BONDING PROGRAM
What is the Federal Bonding Program?
The Federal Bonding Program is a hiring incentive provided by the U.S. Department of Labor. This program provides fidelity bonds to employers that are willing to employ ex-offenders and other “at-risk”, or hard-to-place job seekers.
- The bonds cover the first six months of employment.
- There is no cost to the job applicant or the employer.
- It provides employers with peace of mind while providing job opportunities with limited risk.
Who can participate in the Federal Bonding Program?
This hiring incentive tool allows employers to target individuals whose backgrounds can pose significant barriers to securing or retaining employment including:
- “at-risk”, or hard-to-place job seekers
- Ex-offenders
- Recovering substance abusers
- TANF recipients
- Individuals with poor credit
- Economically disadvantaged youth and adults with little to no work history
- Individuals dishonorably discharged from the military
Eligibility and Requirements
- Job seekers/potential employees must meet the legal working age requirement for the U.S. Virgin Islands. If under the age of 18 a child labor certificate will need to be acquired. There are no maximum age limits.
- Federal taxes must be automatically deducted from the employee’s pay.
- Self-employed individuals are not eligible.
How to apply?
After an employer makes a job offer to an ex-offender, “at-risk,” or hard-to-place job seeker and the job is accepted; the employer must then send a letter to the Federal Bonding Coordinator that confirms the worker’s identity, an offer of employment, job title, work location, start date, salary, and hours of work per week. This letter must then be mailed or emailed to the Federal Bonding Coordinator.
Contact Information
Before contacting the Federal Bonding Coordinator make sure that employment was offered and accepted by the job seeker (who should fall within the targeted population parameters).
Federal Bonding Coordinator
2353 Kronprindsens Gade
St. Thomas, VI 00802-6221
Phone: (340) 776-3700