Work First Employment Services (WFES) is the part of Work First that helps you prepare for and find a job. If you receive a check, you MUST participate in this program. Each head of a family is responsible for participating 35 hours weekly in work-related activities. Your Work First Employment Worker will help you choose an activity that best meets your needs. The only time you may be exempt from this program is if you have a child under the age of one year. This exemption is a one-time-only exemption and can only last until your child turns age one. Once you apply for Work First you will immediately begin working with Employment Services. Once you begin receiving assistance, you will be required to participate in your plan for financial independence through the last day of the month in which you receive your final check. For example, if you received a check in January 2008, you would be required to participate until January 31, 2008.

This is the second part of the agreement each family MUST develop and sign. The agreement will act as a contract between the family and the Work First program. The plan details what you will do to become financially independent and what Work First will do to help you. It is very important to keep this agreement updated! If you don't come in for your appointments to develop new agreements, your check may be stopped and all Work First assistance closed.

Please remember the Richmond County Work First Program is happy to help you become self-sufficient; however, you only have 24 checks available to you and your family. If you are a healthy person, you may receive cash assistance in North Carolina for only 24 months and then you must wait three years until you can apply for Work First again.

Think of this program as an account with 24 checks in it. Use your time wisely! Please also remember that throughout the United States, the government has imposed a 60-month (five -year) time limit. This means that if you receive a check 60 times (one check a month), you can NEVER receive cash assistance again. These time limits do not apply to Medicaid, Food Stamps, or Housing Assistance. You may receive these benefits separate from Work First.

Work First client working as an auto mechanic

Participant working at a local car dealership

Work First client who is a vet tech