Pennsylvania Tax Incentives
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Pennsylvania Tax Incentives
Page Contents
- Client Assistance Program
- Enterprise Zone Program
- First Industries Fund
- Job Creation Tax Credit
- Keystone Innovation Zone
- Medical Assistance for Workers with Disabilities
- New PA Venture Capital Investment Program
- Office of Vocational Rehabilitation of Pennsylvania
- Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) –Office Director
- On-The-Job Training
- PennSafe - Workers’ Compensation Premium Discounts
- Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation
- Pennsylvania's Assistive Technology Lending Library
- Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry
- Pennsylvania Initiative on Assistive Technology
- Pennsylvania Open for Business
- Pennsylvania Workforce Development
- Reused and Exchanged Equipment Partnership (REEP)
- Student to Work Transition
- Various Pennsylvania Miscellaneous Incentives
- Understanding Medicaid Waivers
- Way to Work
Client Assistance Program (CAP)
The Pennsylvania Client Assistance Program is a free legal advocacy program for people with disabilities. CAP helps people who are seeking services from the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Blindness and Visual Services, Centers for Independent Living and other programs funded under federal law. Its purpose is to ensure that the rehabilitation system in Pennsylvania is open and responsive to the needs people with disabilities. The CAP style of advocacy includes a wide array of strategies and techniques including information and referral, consultation, mediation, negotiation, as well as administrative and legal representation.
Enterprise Zone Program
The Enterprise Zone Program offers grants and loans to businesses located in any one of Pennsylvania’s designated Enterprise Zones. This funding can be used for many different business endeavors, including job creation, land and building acquisitions or machinery/equipment purchases or repairs.
First Industries Fund
The First Industries Fund is a grant and loan program aimed at strengthening Pennsylvania's agriculture and tourism industries. The First Industries Fund is part of PA Grows, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's new initiative designed to assist agricultural producers in gaining access to the capital they need to begin, continue, or expand their businesses. This funding can be used for many different business endeavors, including, land and building acquisitions or machinery/equipment purchases or repairs.
These loans can be used to purchase ADA compliant property or Assistive Technology to make a disabled employee more productive on the job.
Job Creation Tax Credit
Job Creation Tax Credit: Pennsylvania offers eligible businesses a $1,000-per-job tax credit to create new jobs in the Commonwealth. This tax credit can be used as an incentive for an employer to create new jobs, especially for people with disabilities. The tax credits may not be utilized by the business until the jobs are actually created and the business must create at least 25 new jobs equaling at least 20% of their existing workforce.
Job Creation Tax Credit Guide - PDF
Keystone Innovation Zone
Keystone Innovation Zone (KIZ) provide grant funds to community/university partnerships to generate job growth through technology transfer and entrepreneurship, focused around college and universities’ property.
This plan is designed to create jobs in technology-oriented fields. People with disabilities who are educated in this area and have the appropriate employment backgrounds could be the recipients of the jobs created by this program.
Keystone Innovation Zone Guidelines – PDF
Keystone Innovation Zones – PDF
Keystone Innovation Zones Tax Credit – PDF
Medical Assistance for Workers with Disabilities (MAWD)
MAWD lets Pennsylvanians with disabilities take a fulfilling job, earn more money and still keep their full medical coverage. With MAWD you can keep Medical Assistance while you work, even if your earnings increase above the limits for other Medical Assistance programs.
To apply for MAWD, (use the COMPASS website).
Or contact your County Assistance Office.
MAWD and Mental Health
The Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation at Boston University has published a report, entitled Medicaid Buy In: Enhancing Earnings & Employment for People with Psychiatric Disabilities. The Medicaid Buy In is a federally authorized program that has been adopted in 42 states and the District of Columbia. The program in Pennsylvania is called MAWD—Medical Assistance for Workers with Disabilities. The program allows people to work and continue on Medicaid. Experts estimate that over 75% of adults with psychiatric disabilities, like people with other disabilities, are unemployed. The study highlights many of the positive effects of the program for people with psychiatric disabilities.
For more information on the Medicaid Buy In program.
New PA Venture Capital Investment Program
New PA Venture Capital Investment Program: Loans are available to life sciences and technology-oriented businesses that are in their growth-stage. Job creation, especially for people with disabilities, is an appropriate use of these loans. The Program is a $60 million fund designed to provide loans to venture capital companies looking to make investments in companies located in the Commonwealth. It will allocate 50% of the funds available to venture capital partnerships which operate locations in historically underserved areas of Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Venture Capital Investment Program Guidelines – PDF.
Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR)
The Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) is a State Agency that provides services to help individuals with mental or physical disabilities prepare for, start, and maintain competitive employment, thus, achieving independence for people with disabilities in their communities.
There are 15 OVR district offices throughout the state. Some of the services OVR provides to their customers include the following: vocational evaluation, education/training, job placement assistance, Assistive Technology and home/workplace modifications.
Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) – Office Directory
This website has contact information for the OVR offices throughout Pennsylvania.
OVR’s On-The-Job Training Program
On-The-Job Training: The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation can reimburse employers for a percentage of the weekly wage of the worker who is being trained for a specified period of time. The employer is responsible for providing the trainer.
Pennsylvania Initiative on Assistive Technology (PIAT)
Pennsylvanian Initiative on Assistive Technology (PIAT) provides information and assistance to individuals with disabilities who are searching for funding for Assistive Technology they need for employment purposes. PIAT can help work through the maze of health insurances, public programs including "waivers," recycling programs, cash loan programs, and non-governmental funding sources to determine which ones might help.
Assistive Technology is any device that enables a person with a disability to be more functional. Using the proper technology at work will allow a disabled person to be more productive, and in turn, a better worker. Because of the increased productivity, it is wise for an employer to invest in Assistive Technology for disabled employees.
Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation
The Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF), another potential source for funding Assistive Technology. PATF is committed to providing borrowers with low-interest loans so they can afford devices that make their lives easier, more productive, and more independent.
Pennsylvania Assistivee Technology Foundation Application Form
Pennsylvania's Assistive Technology Lending Library (PAATLL)
Pennsylvania's Assistive Technology Lending Library is a free service that loans assistive technology devices to people with disabilities. It's available to Pennsylvanians of all ages and disabilities – even to workplace locations.
For a complete list of devices, see the equipment catalog listed below. Requests for devices can be made by you, a family member, friend, an employer, an advocate, or someone who is helping you with your assistive technology needs (e.g., a therapist, teacher, rehabilitation counselor).
To view the lending library equipment catalog.
To view the lending library borrowing procedures.
Assistive Technology Device Demonstration - Pennsylvania's Initiative on Assistive Technology now provides opportunities for "guided exploration" of a specific device or category of devices.
PennSafe - Workers’ Compensation Premium Discounts
PennSafe is a state resource helps companies set-up workplace safety committees that may help the company qualify for a 5% reduction in workers' compensation premiums for up to 5 years. The program provides a technical assistance manual, free employer training for committee certification, and speakers.
PennSafe Application Guide – PDF
Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry
The Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry is the largest broad-based business association in Pennsylvania. Thousands of members throughout the Commonwealth employ greater than 50 percent of Pennsylvania’s private workforce. Headquartered in Harrisburg, the PA Chamber serves as the frontline advocate for business on Capitol Hill by influencing the legislative, regulatory and judicial branches of state government.
Pennsylvania Open for Business
The Pennsylvania Open for Business web site gives entrepreneurs "one stop" access to business information. Entrepreneurs can explore financial options, download many of the important forms necessary to start and expand a business, and electronically register a business with the Pennsylvania Departments of Labor and Industry, Revenue, and State.
Pennsylvania Workforce Development
Pennsylvania's Workforce Development system enables businesses and workers to compete in the worldwide, knowledge-based economy. The workforce system will enhance employer competitiveness and innovation, while preparing Pennsylvanians for new careers in higher-wage jobs.
Workers with disabilities can be part of the workforce that benefits from this system.
Reused and Exchanged Equipment Partnership (REEP)
Pennsylvania's Initiative on Assistive Technology (PIAT) supports a variety of programs that may be a source for "previously-owned" assistive devices, usually available at a lower cost than buying new. These efforts help get used assistive technology devices such as wheelchairs, walkers, commodes, lifts, portable ramps, and other devices into the hands of people with disabilities who need them.
School to Work Transition
Any high school student with a disability who may need vocational guidance and assistance in pursuing employment should be considered for referral to the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation prior to graduation for School to Work Transition services. These would include students who have an Individualized Education Program (IEP), students who are covered under Chapter 15 (Protected Handicapped Students), and any other students with disabilities who may or may not require specialized services in school.
Various Miscellaneous Pennsylvania Incentives
- Guaranteed Free Training, provides grant funds for basic entry-level skills and advanced information technology skills for employees.
- Customized Job Training, provides grant funds for specialized job training to existing or newly hired employees.
Understanding Medicaid Waivers
The name Waiver comes from the fact that the Federal government waives Medicaid rules for institutional care in order for Pennsylvania to use the same funds to provide supports and services for people in the community. Many of these programs allow for pre-vocational, vocational (including attendant support), or transportation supports to be funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare – through a qualified Service Coordinator and Provider Agency. The state must make specific assurances to the Federal government when requesting a Medicaid Waiver – these form the basis of the rules and procedures for each of the below defined Waiver programs. Federal and state funds are combined in Medicaid Waivers. To open a page that describes the available Pennsylvania Waiver programs.
Way to Work
Pennsylvania Way to Work is a statewide initiative that will provide 100 percent gross wage subsidies for private, not-for-profit and public employers.
Through Pennsylvania Way to Work, the Departments of Labor & Industry and Public Welfare will use federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF Emergency funds available through the federal Recovery Act to provide an estimated 20,000 employment opportunities for youth and adults through Sept. 30, 2010.
Way to Work Employer Interest Notification Form
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