NOTE: This refers to the hours required for First-to-Work only. Hours required for childcare reimbursements are calculated separately.

How many Hours do I need to work?
Ask your First-to-Work case manger to clearly explain what is expected of you. The number of hours and what activities count towards fulfilling the First-to-Work requirements varies depending on a number of factors including: Single or 2-parent household, age of youngest child, amount of time utilizing education for work activities.

See the charts below for more details, including those academic activities requiring signatures. Check with your campus BTH Coordinator to discuss options for who can sign verification paperwork. The childcare subsidy program requires 97 hours per month (24 hours per week) to receive maximum benefits.

What are “core” hours?
“Core” hours are the first 20 hours of your work requirement. Paid employment and supervised volunteer work are always “core.” Academic classroom hours may be counted as “core” for 12 months using the Vocational Education option (VET).

Single Parent Households:
Households with children under 6 years old are required to meet 20 hours CORE
Households with children older than 6 years are required to meet 30 hours (20 Core + 10 Non-Core).
Example 1: Using VET, 12 hours class, 12 hours study = 24 Core hours + 6 hours BTH employment = 30 total.
Example 2: Using JST, 20 hours BTH employment = 20 Core hours + 12 class hours = 32 total.

All single-parent households need 24 hours per week to maximize childcare reimbursement. Childcare does not count study hall, only work, volunteer or class time.

Two Parent Households 1 Adult is "Work Required".
1 parent with work requirements = 35 hours (30 Core)
One adult in 2-parent households may use education or class/study hours for CORE, including 12 months under VET. They may also use class hours and study for JST. 2-parent households must meet their total hours required between the two adults.

Example 1: Using VET, 12 hours class, 12 hours study + 11 hours BTH employment = 35 Core.
Example 2: Using JST, 20 hours BTH employment + 10 hours volunteer = 30 Core hours + 5 class hours = 35 total.

Two-Parent Households, Both Adults “Work Required.”
2 parents with work requirements = 55 hours (50 Core)
2-parent households using childcare must meet 55 hours total (50 Core)
One adult in a 2-parent household may use education or class/study hours for CORE, including 12 months under VET. They may also use class hours and study for JST. 2-parent households must meet their total hours required between the two adults.

Counting hours depends on the # of hours worked by the “non-student” adult, which contributes to the 50 Core hours.

NOTE: Childcare Subsidies for 2-parent households only count hours during which BOTH parents are at work or attending classes.  This significantly reduces the childcare subsidy.  Check with T.Bill for questions about this option."