The Federal Bonding Program
A real U.S. Department of Labor program, running since 1966. It provides a free fidelity bond — insurance that protects an employer against employee theft, forgery, or embezzlement — for the first six months of a new hire's employment. It costs the job seeker nothing and costs the employer nothing.
- Covers $5,000–$25,000, with no deductible for the employer
- Available for any job, at any employer, in any state
- Can be issued the same day a job offer is accepted
- Specifically designed for "at-risk" job seekers, including anyone with a record of arrest, conviction, or imprisonment
Ask about it at your local American Job Center / One-Stop Career Center, or call 1-877-US2-JOBS (1-877-872-5627). Bring it up with an employer directly — many hiring managers have never heard of it.
Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC)
A federal tax credit that rewards employers for hiring people who face barriers to employment, including people with felony convictions. It can be worth up to $9,600 per employee to the employer — a real incentive to bring up in an interview.
Grants & reentry programs
- Second Chance Act grants — federal funding that supports state and local reentry programs (job training, housing assistance, mentoring). Availability and specific programs vary by state — ask your case manager or local workforce agency what's currently funded near you.
- State workforce agencies / American Job Centers — every state runs free employment services, often including reentry-specific case management, resume help, and connections to the Federal Bonding Program.
- "Ban the box" laws — many states and cities now delay when an employer can ask about criminal history in the hiring process, giving you a fairer shot at getting to an interview.
Employers commonly cited as open to hiring people with records
Every employer evaluates applications individually — nature of the offense, how long ago, and the role all matter, and policies change. Treat this as a starting point for research, not a guarantee: confirm directly with each employer before you apply.