Targeted Wage Subsidies

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Program Information

Program objective

The Targeted Wage Subsidy (TWS) program helps unemployed eligible participants to obtain employment where they can enhance their skills and improve their employability by providing eligible employers with a financial incentive to hire them.  The expectation is that the subsidy will lead to full time employment with the TWS employer.

Who delivers Targeted Wage Subsidies?

Employment Nova Scotia delivers Targeted Wage Subsidies and other Employment Benefits and Support Measures in Nova Scotia.

Eligibility Information

Individuals

Am I eligible for participation in Targeted Wage Subsidies?

• To be eligible for participation in Targeted Wage Subsidies, you must be an unemployed individual ("insured participant") as defined by Section 58 of the Employment Insurance Act. This means that you are an individual for whom:

(a) an unemployment benefit period has been established or has ended within three years prior to the date of requesting assistance; or

(b) a benefit period that included a maternity or parental claim has been established within the five years prior to the date of requesting assistance, after which you remained out of the labour market in order to care for a newborn or newly adopted child and are now seeking to re-enter the labour force.

• Other criteria may apply.

What else do I need to know?

• The date your completed application is received by Employment Nova Scotia is the date when you are considered to have requested assistance. This date is used to determine whether you qualify as an "insured participant" within the timeframes outlined above.
• Financial assistance in the form of a subsidy is provided to employers to cover the costs of wages paid to the participant. Financial assistance may also be provided to cover all or a portion of the costs related to the special needs of persons with disabilities.
• Temporary financial assistance may be provided in exceptional circumstances to cover all or part of the following costs related to participation (e.g., dependent care, disability needs and transportation).
• Your application must be approved by Employment Nova Scotia before you begin activities with the employer.
• The longest an agreement with an employer can be is 52 weeks in a row (or up to 78 weeks if the participant is a person with a disability).
• Targeted Wage Subsidy fact sheet

Organizations

• Businesses, organizations, municipalities, band/tribal councils, public health and educational institutions.

Application Information

How do I apply?

Individuals

• As part of the application process, it is necessary for you to receive an employment assessment and develop a Return to Work Action Plan with a case manager. The case manager's decision is required before Employment Nova Scotia can assess your application. If you are interested in this program, the first step is visit an Employment Assistance Service provider in your local area who will advise you on your options and help you with your Targeted Wage Subsidy application process.

Employers/Community Coordinators

• Employers seeking funding under the Targeted Wage Subsidy program will be able to apply online using the LaMPSS system.  To register for the LaMPSS system, please call  1-877-223-0888 to obtain a registration package
• For details on the application process and program eligibility/information please download the Program Guidelines.

• Community coordinators seeking funding under Targeted Wage Subsidies should contact the nearest Employment Nova Scotia office . Please download the following Program Guidelines for detailed information on the LaMPSS application process for TWS/ Community Coordinators.

Forms

• Targeted Wage Subsidy Worksheet

Contact Information

• Employment Nova Scotia Centres
• General enquiries: 1-877-223-0888