Program Highlights

The Return to Work initiative is an opportunity for a trainee to get their foot in the door and learn new skills and an opportunity for an employer to train without the accompanying costs. The training must be authorized through the Department of Employment Security prior to the beginning of the training. There is a five day processing period before training can begin.

The training program may be up to six weeks, and a maximum of 24 hours per week per benefit year. Upon timely submission of their paper continued claim form, and meeting all other unemployment compensation eligibility requirements, trainees will receive their weekly unemployment compensation benefits. The trainee is covered under a state provided Workers Compensation program.

A trainee may stay in the program if they exhaust benefits or lose program eligibility prior to the end of the 6 weeks, however, once benefits are exhausted or program eligibility is lost, unemployment compensation is discontinued.

The program is limited to 6 weeks in a benefit year, a trainee is encouraged to end a training relationship that is not beneficial and are encouraged to preserve the remainder of the their 6 weeks of training for another Return To Work opportunity.

A Return to Work trainee must be able and available to seek and accept work during this period.