If you have recently been laid off, you might be eligible for funding or services through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). WIOA is a federal program and the nation’s principal workforce development legislation, providing funds to address the employment and training needs of dislocated workers, low-income adults, and youth to help Georgia businesses meet the needs of today and the future.
The vision of WIOA is to increase access and opportunities to employment, education, training, and support services to residents of Atlanta and its surrounding metro area counties.
Dislocated Workers are individuals with significant attachment to the workforce but have lost their employment or income from employment. Watch the video below to see if you might qualify for job training or career services as a Dislocated Worker at no cost to you:
You may be classified as a Dislocated Worker if you lost employment or income from employment due to one or more of the following circumstances:
> Terminated through no fault of your own
Or you have received a notice of no-fault termination or layoff from employment and are eligible for or have exhausted U. I., or are not eligible for U. I. due to insufficient earnings or having performed work for a non-covered employer, but have been employed for a duration to show attachment to the workforce (6 months) and are unlikely to return to your previous occupation without additional services or training.
> Permanent closure of or any substantial layoff at a plant, facility or enterprise
You have been terminated through no fault of your own (determined by U.I. review) or laid off, or received a notice of no-fault termination or layoff from employment
> Employed at a facility that will close within 180 days.
You are employed at a facility at which the employer has made a general announcement that such facility will close within 180 days.
> Previously self-employed, now unemployed
You are self-employed or underemployed due to a natural disaster or general economic conditions.
> Displaced Homemaker
If you have been providing unpaid services to family members in the home and have been dependent on the income of another family member and are no longer supported by that income, you may be eligible for services.
> Federal employee classified as “unlikely to return”
You were a federal employee that has been classified as “unlikely to return” to your previous occupation without additional services or training.
> Underemployed
Currently employed dislocated workers may be determined eligible for services if the customer’s current employment meets all of the following conditions:
o You’re currently employed, but making less than 85% of your former wages.
o After layoff, you have become reemployed in an income maintenance position.
o You are in an employment position that uses significantly less skills or abilities than the job of dislocation and is not commensurate with the individual’s demonstrated level of educational attainment.
o The individual’s current employment and job of dislocation is not in a field or occupation that is generally known for short-term or contract work.
> Discharged under honorable circumstances
You have been discharged under honorable circumstances either voluntarily or involuntarily from the military and are unlikely to return to a previous industry or occupation.
> Separated from employment for cause
Individuals who have been separated for cause and/or those who voluntarily left might be eligible for U.I.
Call WorkSource Atlanta at 404-564-3000 to find out if you’re eligible for services.
Visit ATLWorks.org to learn more about job search resources, explore career training opportunities, and find a Career Resource Center near you.