The U. S. Small Business Administration has been dedicated to helping entrepreneurs open new businesses, expand existing enterprises, and sustain success in their operations since 1953. Now, in this era of low unemployment, the SBA is helping small businesses gain access to a new pool of potential workers as well as helping former welfare recipients become entrepreneurs.
Small firms provide the largest potential source of jobs for individuals leaving public assistance.
By hiring former welfare recipients, small business owners can tap into significant wage subsidies and tax breaks as well as gain access to new workers. This makes the SBA ideally positioned to link small business owners, service providers, and potential entrepreneurs to local resources and information on welfare to work efforts. Businesses will be able to hire work-ready individuals through service providers and job training programs that have tested, screened and trained them for employment. Upon hiring a former welfare recipient, businesses will receive additional benefits. A number of participating states offer additional tax incentives.