To be eligible for WIOA-funded services through CareerSource Southwest Florida, applicants must meet one of the following criteria.

• Low-Income Status: Your annualized household income for the past six months is at or below the Lower Living Standard Income Level (LLSIL) or the Federal Poverty Guidelines, whichever is higher.
• Public Assistance: You are receiving, or are a member of a household currently receiving, public assistance like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
• Disabilities: You have a documented substantial disability. A substantial disability is defined as a physical or mental impairment that severely limits one or more major life activities.
• Homelessness: You lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence and are considered homeless.
• Additional Barriers (Youth): Young adults (ages 14-24) may also be eligible if they meet the low-income criteria and have other barriers, such as being an offender, a school dropout, a basic skills deficient individual, an English language learner, or being in or having aged out of the foster care system.

2025/2026-Eligibility Documents

• Social Security Card.
• Driver’s License or State Identification.
• Proof of Citizenship/Right to Work. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must provide an Alien Registration Card or Permanent Residence Card (Green Card).
• Proof of Birth Date: Birth certificate, passport, record of birth.
• Selective Service Registration Confirmation. (If male, age 18 or older and born after December 31,1959, you must be registered for Selective Service by age 25.) Print out from www.sss.gov. Selective Service card or application confirmation letter

• To determine eligibility for other WIOA services, you might need to provide additional details:

• Register on www.employflorida.com.

• Work History - last 5 years, include: employer name, address, phone number, position held, wage, reason for leaving.

• Proof of Total Household Income of all family members in household working during the last 6 months:

• Include pay stubs, SSA/SSI/SSDI statements, earnings statements, alimony statement, bank statements (as a last resort).

• Family Size Verification (if applicable):

• For purposes of household income, a family is defined as “two or more persons related by blood, marriage or decree of court living in a single residence. (1) a husband, wife, and dependent children, (2) a parent or guardian and dependent children, or (3) a husband and wife.

• Proof of Unemployment Compensation (if out of state).

• Copy of High School Diploma, General Equivalency Diploma (GED), College Degree (if applicable).

Eligibility is based on "low-income" status. WIOA's primary goal is to help individuals who face challenges in the job market. A person's income is a major factor in determining if they qualify.

Click here to access income guidelines:

Registering for Employ Florida is a useful step to take if you are seeking employment in the state of Florida and a requirement for WIOA services.

Click here to Access employflorida guide