{"id":"federal-bonding-program","name":"Federal Bonding Program","provider":"U.S. Department of Labor","entitlement_type":"employment-program","entitlement_type_label":"Employment program","entitlement_type_context":{"definition":"A public or nonprofit program providing job preparation, training, placement support, work supports, or employer-risk assistance.","domain":"employment-and-business","archetype":"direct-program","agent_instruction":"Check participant eligibility, referral route, local operator, training availability, and supportive-service limits."},"summary":"Fidelity bonds reduce hiring risk for job seekers whose backgrounds may make employers reluctant to hire them, including many people with a criminal record or other employment barrier.","benefit":{"description":"A no-cost bond for the initial employment period that protects the employer against specified employee dishonesty losses.","estimated_value_usd":null},"discovery":{"focus":"public-service","has_estimated_dollar_value":false},"access":{"relationships":["Job seeker facing a background-related hiring barrier, including a justice-involved applicant","Employer prepared to hire an eligible worker"],"requirements":"The job seeker must face a qualifying employment barrier, such as a criminal record or another background-related risk, and have a bona fide job offer that meets program rules. State coordinators determine eligibility and issue bonds; self-employment and some job types are excluded.","activation":"Contact the state bonding coordinator or an American Job Center, confirm the job offer and eligibility, and have the coordinator issue the bond.","cost_basis":"no-cost","cost_basis_label":"No-cost access","cost_basis_context":{"classification":"free","definition":"The core benefit has no required payment, purchase, deposit, paid membership, or pre-existing paid-product relationship under the captured terms.","agent_instruction":"Still disclose optional add-ons, transportation, parking, replacement charges, taxes, capacity, and eligibility conditions found in fees or requirements.","variation_patterns":null,"does_not_mean":null},"fees":"No charge to the eligible job seeker or employer for the initial federal bond. Continued commercial coverage may cost extra.","personalized":false,"regions":["US","Administered through state and local coordinators"],"expires":null},"status":"verified","last_checked":"2026-08-04","claim_url":"https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/federal-bonding-program","source_url":"https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/federal-bonding-program","source":{"primary_url":"https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/federal-bonding-program","evidence":[{"source":"U.S. Department of Labor","url":"https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/federal-bonding-program","kind":"provider","checked_at":"2026-08-04"}]},"parent":null,"coverage":{"level":"national","family":"jobs-and-business","jurisdiction":"United States","maturity":"direct"},"web_url":"/benefits/federal-bonding-program","taxonomy":{"version":"1.0","url":"/api/v1/taxonomy"}}