Overview

The Telework!VA program provides telework training and financial incentives for Virginia businesses to establish or expand telework programs for their employees. The program was established by the Commonwealth of Virginia's Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) in an effort to reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, and facilitate better transportation through technology.

DRPT partners with other like-minded organizations in administering Telework!VA, such as RideFinders in the Richmond area, and TRAFFIX in the Hampton Roads region.

Applications to participate in the Telework!VA program are now being accepted. Applicants must demonstrate their willingness to start a long-term program, invest in the planning and staff resources required to sustain a program, and commit to an implementation schedule with appropriate milestones of two (2) years or less. Priority will be given to new program starts; however, existing program expansion requests may be considered on a case-by-case basis. You will be required to sign a contract with either the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation or the commuter assistance program in your region.

Eligible Businesses

Participating business sites must be a private for-profit business enterprise or non-profit organization classified as such under Section 501(c) of the Federal Internal Revenue Code and located in northern Virginia, the greater Richmond, or Hampton Roads.

Priority in Northern Virginia will be given to businesses located in the counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, Stafford, Spotsylvania and the cities of Alexandria, Falls Church, Fairfax, Fredericksburg, Manassas and Manassas Park. Priority in Richmond will be given to businesses located in the counties of Chesterfield, Henrico, Goochland, Prince George, Hanover, and New Kent, and the cities/towns of Richmond, Ashland, and the Tri-Cities. Priority in Hampton Roads will be given to businesses located in the cities of Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach. Applicants should have a minimum of 20 employees working from the northern Virginia, Richmond, or Hampton Roads site.

Eligible Expenses for Reimbursement

The Telework!VA program includes reimbursement at a variable percentage of lease costs and consultant/technical assistance expenses. No purchases are eligible for reimbursement. Eligible expenses include, but are not limited to, the following as examples*:

• Laptops for teleworkers
• Computer peripherals for teleworkers (such as printers, all-in-one printer/scanner/fax machines, web cams, and more)
• Broadband Internet access for teleworkers
• Other telecommunications equipment and charges for teleworkers
• Centralized remote connectivity infrastructure (such as computers/server equipment)
• Telecommunications/VOIP Solutions
• Telework Center fees
• Consultant Services (Information Technology assistance; installation of software and hardware; teleworker support; and real estate consolidation assistance)

*Exceptions will be evaluated on a case by case basis. i.e., new technology, equipment, etc.

Assistance	Location	Reimbursement Rate	Reimbursement Cap
Equipment Lease	Home Site	80%	$35,000 per business (not to exceed $3,500 per teleworker)
Equipment Lease	Office Site	50%	$10,000 per business
Technical / Consultant Assistance	Home/Office	100%	$25,000 per business
Space	Telework Center	50%	$10,000 per business
MAXIMUM FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE NOT TO EXCEED $35,000* PER BUSINESS * $50,000 for businesses in Tysons Corner or along the I-495 corridor

Program Criteria

Participation in the Telework!VA program must result in a formal company telework program that provides the opportunity for qualified employees to telework from home or a telework center. Milestones for developing the program and participation by eligible employees include the following minimum criteria:

Each employee should telework a minimum of 6 days per month, or an average of 1.5 days per week. This must result in the reduction of six (6) employee round trips per month during normal business or commuting hours (approximately 7 a.m.-6 p.m.) from their home to the primary business location. Employees may telework from home or a telework center (or other alternate work site).

If the employer opts to utilize a telework center as their employees' alternate work site, they should reserve one workstation a minimum of six (6) days per month. The reservation of one workstation can theoretically accommodate three employees on alternate shifts, since the centers are open 24 hours a day. Travel to the telework center cannot be a longer commute for any teleworking employee than travel from their home to the primary business location.