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New JobBoost Program to Help Create Up to 1,000 Jobs for Low-Income Workers

For Release: Immediate     Date: October 28, 2010
Contact: Lori Walston, (919) 733-9190

RALEIGH - Gov. Bev Perdue today announced a new JobsNOW program, called JobBoost, to help put low- income workers into jobs. The program will create up to 1,000 jobs for Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) eligible workers. These jobs will provide needed experience to maintain employment for workers over the long term.

The N.C. Division of Social Services (DSS) in the Department of Health and Human Services is tapping into up to $4 million in federal TANF funds that have the potential of being matched with $1.5 from a private foundation. The funds will be distributed to local departments of social services in North Carolina. JobBoost has targeted 34 counties with high unemployment rates and a high number of TANF-eligible individuals.

“Job creation is my No. 1 priority, and any program that will help put our citizens to work is welcome,” said Gov. Perdue. “JobBoost helps in two ways – it gives workers valuable experience that helps them compete in the job market, and it puts a paycheck in their pockets and food on their families’ tables.”

The target population for JobBoost is low-income families, specifically TANF-eligible participants. This includes:

  • U.S. citizens or legal residents with a minor child under the age 18 (including non-custodial parents)
  • Families with an income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. This is an income of less than $44,100/year or $3,675/month for a family of four in North Carolina.
  • This also includes individuals who are currently receiving cash assistance or are in the process of applying for cash assistance.

TANF-eligible participants may include those who are active in NC’s Work First Program, as well as recent graduates from Community Colleges JobsNOW training programs. Other TANF-eligible individuals will be able to participate as identified by either local departments of social services or local Employment Security Commission offices.

To learn more about JobBoost, contact CARELINE at 1-800-662-7030 or contact your local county Department of Social Services or local Employment Security Commission office.