The Department of Social Services in a collaborative partnership with the Fresno County Economic Development Corporation created the New Employment Opportunities (NEO) subsidy program.   The NEO program was created as an incentive to employers that create and retain full time jobs in Fresno County while meeting the needs of enrolled job seekers ready to work.

The goal of subsidized employment is to provide Welfare-To-Work participants with long term and transitional employment opportunities with public, private and non-profit organizations throughout Fresno County and contribute to the development of a trained and skilled workforce in the Central Valley.

For every NEO hire, the employer shall be reimbursed only for actual wages paid in accordance to the table shown below:

Weeks of Placement Wage Reimbursement
1 – 13 100%
14 – 26 75%

The Employer shall make a good faith effort to retain the participant as a permanent employee after the initial six (6) month placement.

On a case-by-case basis, employment placements and wage reimbursement may be considered for an extension at the discretion of the COUNTY’s DSS Director or designee. Extension requests shall be submitted to COUNTY’s DSS no later than thirty (30) days prior to the original subsidized employment end date.

Extensions are thirteen (13) weeks in duration and limited to a maximum of two (2) extensions for each participant.

Approval of extensions must contribute to the likelihood of either of the following criteria:
1. The participant obtaining unsubsidized employment with the EMPLOYER; or
2. The participant obtaining specific skills and experiences relevant for unsubsidized employment for a particular field.

Extensions are at the sole discretion of the COUNTY’s DSS Director or designee.

For employer requirements, please visit the Employers page.