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Governor Kathy Hochul announced the launch of the Health Care and Mental Hygiene Worker Bonus program.
Enacted in the Fiscal Year 2023 New York State Budget, the program includes $1.3 billion allocated for the payment of recruitment and retention bonuses to certain health care and mental hygiene workers, a key initiative in the Governor's aim to increase the state's health care workforce by 20 percent over the next five years.
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- Bonuses will be awarded to eligible workers who make less than $125,000 annually and remain in their positions for at least six months.
- Disbursements will be commensurate with the number of hours worked and duration of service within designated vesting periods for up to a total of $3,000 per employee.
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Important: Some employers who receive funding from Medicaid may be required to provide these bonuses to certain employees.
Employees Must Meet The Following Eligibility Criteria:
- Qualified employees must continuously employed by a qualified employer for the duration of at least one vesting period (see below)
- Qualified employees must have an employee title included on the list of Eligible Worker Titles;
- Qualified employees must not exceed an annualized base salary (excluding any bonuses or overtime pay) of $125,000, as evidenced by an Employee Attestation, which they must complete and return to their employer;
- Qualified employees can be full-time, part-time or temporary employees as well as independent contractors; and
- Qualified employees must not be suspended or excluded from the Medicaid program during the vesting period.
Bonus Requirements.
Qualified employers will pay bonus amounts to qualified employees based on the number of hours worked during the vesting period as defined below:
- Qualified employees who work at least 20 hours but no more than 30 hours per week are eligible for a bonus of $500;
- Qualified employees who work at least 30 hours but no more than 35 hours per week are eligible for a bonus of $1,000; and
- Qualified employees who work at least 35 hours per week are eligible for a bonus of $1,500.
- A qualified employee is eligible for up to two vesting periods per employer. The maximum any employee may receive is $3,000.
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