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How New York OJT Reimbursement Actually Works for Employers

New York OJT runs through local workforce boards under WIOA. NYSDOL says a new employer can receive up to 50% of a hire's wages during training, and federal rules allow up to 75% where the board documents why. Each board sets its own rate and limits: Rochester pays up to 50% to a $7,500 cap, Niagara County pays 50% to 75% by company size. You must sign the contract before the person starts work.

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  • State pre-filled: NY
  • Program type pre-filled: OJT
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HOW IT WORKS

Four steps, in this order.

  1. 1

    Find your local workforce board or career center

  2. 2

    Board screens the candidate and you agree a training plan

  3. 3

    Sign the OJT contract before day one

  4. 4

    Pay the trainee, then invoice the board for its share of wages

1 VERIFIED PROGRAM

Where the New York money comes from.

Run by New York State Department of Labor (policy) and local workforce development boards (contracts and payment). Every figure is from an official page, linked on each card.

WIOA On-the-Job Training through your local workforce board

Up to 50% of wages, 75% with documentation
THROUGH YOUR LOCAL BOARD
WHAT YOU GET

Reimbursement of part of the trainee's wages during the training period. You do not document your actual training costs.

HOW MUCH

NYSDOL: up to 50% of wages. Federal rule: up to 50%, and up to 75% where the board documents the reason. Local examples: Rochester up to 50% with a $7,500 cap per hire; Niagara 50% to 75% by size; Sullivan 50%.

WHO RECEIVES THE MONEY

The employer, by reimbursement. The trainee is paid wages by the employer as usual.

WHO QUALIFIES
  • Trainee must be WIOA eligible and approved by the board
  • Full-time new hire in most boards (Rochester 35+ hours, Sullivan 30+, Jefferson 30+)
  • Not for replacing a current employee
  • Employer must keep the person on after training
Before you start: Yes. Contract and training plan must be signed before the person starts.
HOW TO APPLY
  1. 1Call your local board's business services team
  2. 2Agree the trainee, occupation and training plan
  3. 3Sign the OJT contract before the first day
  4. 4Submit payroll records and invoices

Deadlines and windows: Training length is set per contract. Rochester: four months (640 hours). Sullivan: four to 26 weeks. Westchester: up to six months.

SOURCE: ECFR.GOV
LOCAL BOARDS

Same program, different rules by board.

RochesterWorks (Rochester and Monroe County)

Up to 50% of wages, $7,500 maximum per new hire, four months or 640 hours, three grants per program year, OJT limited to 25% of your workforce.

SOURCE: ROCHESTERWORKS.ORG
Niagara County Employment & Training

50% to 75% depending on company size. Contract must be signed before work starts.

SOURCE: NIAGARACOUNTY.GOV
Westchester-Putnam career centers

Up to 50% for new full-time employees for up to 6 months, under a four-year employer contract.

SOURCE: WESTCHESTERPUTNAMONESTOP.COM
Sullivan County Workforce Development

50% of gross base wages, training of four to 26 weeks, contract signed on or before the start date.

SOURCE: SULLIVANNY.GOV
AVOID THESE

What gets New York OJT claims denied.

STRAIGHT ANSWERS

New York OJT questions.

How much of a new hire's wages will a New York board reimburse?

NYSDOL says up to 50%. Federal rules let a board go to 75% when it documents why, and Niagara County uses 50% to 75% by company size.

SOURCE: DOL.NY.GOV
Do I have to prove what the training cost me?

No. Federal rules treat the payment as compensation for extra training cost and lower productivity. You document wages and hours.

SOURCE: ECFR.GOV
Can I get OJT for someone I already hired?

Generally no. Boards approve the person and sign the contract before the start date.

SOURCE: SULLIVANNY.GOV
Who do I call first?

Your local career center or workforce board business services team. NYSDOL directs employers there.

SOURCE: DOL.NY.GOV

How we checked. Every fact on this page comes from a state agency, a local workforce board or federal regulation, read on . Where a board publishes nothing, we say so instead of guessing. Programs and funding change often; confirm with the program before you commit. Written by Jason Meehl, founder of Reimbursa. Found an error? Email hello@reimbursa.com.

OTHER PROGRAMS IN NEW YORK

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