In order to comply with the Enterprise Zone Legislation (SB 1097) and requirements under Section 17053.34 and Section 23622.7 of the California Revenue and Taxation Code, the City of Oakland has developed policies and procedures regarding vouchering eligible Enterprise Zone individuals.  The policies and procedures take into account recent recommendations suggested in a recent quality control review and the implementation of an electronic online vouchering system.  These policies and procedures are intended to ensure the following: 

1. All qualified individuals fully meet the requirements of qualification

2. The accepted documentation fully justifies the qualification category

3. Voucher requests provide complete information regarding the individual, qualifying business and person submitting the request for the voucher

4. Voucher requests are processed in a timely fashion

5. Effective communication with our customers

6. Enhanced reporting capabilities

In order for a voucher request to be processed, the following steps must be completed: 

• Registration of Agent

• Registration of Business and Enterprise Zone Business Location

• Submission of complete voucher request (see below)

 Agent Registration

The person requesting the voucher is considered the Agent of the business for vouchering purposes.  This will include an outside consultant (CPA, etc.) as well as a person within the business itself who may be handling this process for the business.  In order to register, an agent will go to the online system and click on the agent icon.  The system will take you through a series of questions obtaining basic information (name, address, etc.).  During this process, you will receive an Agent ID number that you will include on your voucher request.

It is through this system that you will be able to send messages to the Enterprise Zone Coordinator to inquire about voucher requests and receive the determination of your voucher request.  The system will return a signed voucher with summary information if approved or a denial with explanation.  The information can be printed directed from the system or saved as a PDF file.  Hard copies will be mailed upon request. 

All agents must register themselves through the online system or can click here to download the necessary forms to register through our manual process.

Business and enterprise zone Registration

As part of the Agent Registration section, the agent will register the business and the qualifying business location (location in enterprise zone).  During this process, the agent will provide the name of the qualifying business, the business contact and the qualifying enterprise zone addresses.  The system will provide unique identification numbers for the business and qualifying enterprise zone locations that the Agent will provide on the voucher request.

All agents must register the businesses and enterprise zone locations through the online system or can click here to download the necessary forms to register through our manual process.

Voucher Request

 A proper voucher request will include:

1.    City of Oakland Hiring Voucher Checklist (Form OAKEZ-4)

The checklist is a 2-page form that can be completed by the employee or other party (business, consultant, etc.).   The form should be completely filled out and signed by the person completing the form.

2.    Employee Template

Excel worksheet template that contains specific employee data regarding the person that you are requesting a voucher.  All required fields should be completed and the template should be submitted in an electronic format on a diskette, CD or submitted online through the Oakland online vouchering system.

3.    Supporting Documentation

Supporting documentation verifying that the employee satisfies the qualification requirements (for instance, for a TEA eligible, you would provide a completed Federal form I-9 form, W-4, utility bill, etc and a copy of the Oakland TEA Street Listing).  Please review the acceptable documentation list for guidance.

4.    Processing Fee of $50 Per Voucher Request

Each voucher request must be submitted with a $50 processing fee (For example, 10 voucher requests should be submitted with a $500 payment).  The processing fee increased from $40 to $50 as of January 2, 2006.

Please note that any voucher request that is not complete or does not include the proper processing fee will be returned unprocessed.  Payment of the voucher fee can be paid through the online vouchering system or the Agent may include a check payable to the City of Oakland with the voucher request.  All voucher requests including payments not properly paid to the City of Oakland will be treated as unpaid and returned to the sender or held without processing until payment is properly made.

All voucher requests should be mailed to:

Susana Villarreal, Enterprise Zone Coordinator

City of Oakland – CEDA

Workforce Development

250 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Suite 3315

Oakland, CA 94612

Phone: (510) 238-7794

Fax: (510) 238-2230

timely processing

As part of our cooperation with our customers, we will ensure that all vouchers are processed in 60 days from the date the completed voucher is received.  It should be noted that the "complete" voucher includes the 4 items listed above.  The 60 day period begins once all the information has been received. 

Communication

All inquires regarding the status of voucher request should be sent through the messaging system within the Agent Registration section in the online vouchering system.  All such inquires will be answered within 3 business days.  Any other communications (complaints, feedback, etc.) should be submitted by clicking here.  All communications will be answered within 7 business days and all such communications goes to the Oakland Enterprise Zone Coordinator and Program Manager.