Employers in Washington state will collect $56M in federal tax credits

From TheColumbian.com:
Washington employers will collect a record $56 million in 2011 federal tax credits because they hired certain hard-to-place job seekers, the state Employment Security Department said Thursday. The Work Opportunity Tax Credit provides up to $2,400 in tax savings per worker to businesses that hire military veterans, the disabled, ex-inmates, food-stamp recipients and individuals who receive benefits from the federal Supplemental Security Income program. Additionally, businesses that hire long-term welfare recipients can save as much as $9,000 per person over two years. This year, businesses can reap greater tax savings for hiring veterans, including up to $5,600 for long-term unemployed veterans and as much as $9,600 for those who have a service-connected disability. To receive the tax credit, each new employee must work a minimum of 400 hours during the first year of employment and earn at least $6,000.