Summer Youth Employment Program FAQs

If the youth’s application is selected, the parent/guardian will have to attend an Intake Appointment. The parent/guardian must have the following documents at this appointment:  

1. Proof of Family Income 

• If Parent/Guardian works: 2 most recent pay stubs*, or W2 from 2025

• If you receive: Worker’s compensation or unemployment benefits, you will need the award letter

2. Proof of Identity and Residence for the parent/guardian

• Your current valid State Issued photo ID, Driver’s License, or Passport.

• Proof of current residency in Cuyahoga County* 

• If your current residence is not listed on your Photo ID, you must provide:

  • Utility bill, government agency letter (Snap Award letter, TANF Household benefit letter, School record or letter from school) that is less than 60 days old at time of your appointment, or a lease agreement. We must have your CURRENT Address.

• Social Security Card

3.   Documents required for the teen (who will be working in the program) – ALL following documents are required:

• Your child’s current photo ID: the following can be accepted in leu of a school report card. 

  • 14 – 17 years old: School ID, School Report Card with clear photo, Driver’s License, State ID, Passport, or City Rec ID

  • 18 years old: current valid state issued ID: Driver’s License, State ID, or Passport

  • Ohioans who are 16 years and younger can receive an ID card at the Ohio BMV at no cost. For Ohioans who are 17 and older, an ID card will cost $10.00.

4. Proof of Relationship between parent/guardian and child

• Examples: birth certificate with your name and your child’s name, school records listing current guardian, or current custody papers)

• If child is 18 years old: Copy of their current report card, letter from school or current year registration record.

• If child is 18 or 19 years old AND a male, Y.O.U. will require Selective Service Registration Verification before the start of work. Currently Selective Service information is collected at Orientation.

5.   Required documents for other family members: At times, we need to add other family members who live in your household to the application to determine eligibility. Because of this, you should plan to bring the following for other household members:

• Additional minors in the household Birth Certificate

• Additional child’s Social Security number (just number, not actual card)

• Proof of relationship to that minor child

• Other Adults in your household (i.e., adult children, partner, spouse, other adult relatives) : If other adults works: 2 most recent pay stubs*, or W2 from 2025

• Social Security number (just number, not actual card)

ANY UTILITY BILLS MUST BE DATED WITHIN 60 DAYS OF YOUR SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT

• If your household exceeds the income eligibility limit, there may be additional funding available. Please note that these funds are limited.

Youth must attend a scheduled Orientation session in June. (Parent/guardian do not need to attend)

• Participants will need to bring their Photo ID and Social security card to Orientation in order to fill out their tax forms.  

• If you do not bring documentation to complete I-9 Employment Verification your orientation will be rescheduled.  

• If under age 16 you must present a Work Permit. If you turn 16 by may 31st you do not need a work permit.

• If you are18 or 19 and a male, must present Selective Service verification 

It is ONLY upon the completion of these steps that you are fully accepted into the Y.O.U. Summer Youth Employment Program and considered to be hired.

• If you do not report to work on your first day and have not properly notified your site supervisor and your Job Coach, you are not hired by Y.O.U.

• If you are selected to participate you MUST have a social security card to continue with enrollment.

• Getting a new social security card is free.

  • Go to https://www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber/

    • The website has instructions and the application to request a new social security card.

    • It takes more than 2 weeks to receive a new card once you submit the application.

    • If you need a new card, request one today.

• If you were born in Ohio, to get a certified copy of your birth certificate, contact the Cuyahoga County Bureau of Vital Statistics.

  • Address: Cleveland City Hall, 601 Lakeside Ave, Room 122

  • Phone: (216) 664-2324

• The cost for a certified copy of a birth certificate is $25.

• Visit the Bureau’s Website for more details.

• There may be other ways to prove relationship between you and your parent/guardian and to verify your age.

  • Other examples of Proof of Relationship:

    • Court Custody Document showing guardianship

    • School Record showing guardianship

    • Medical Record showing guardianship

    • Government Letter listing household members

  • Other examples of age verification:

    • School Record

    • Medical Record

    • Government Letter

If you are 14 or 15 and are offered a position in the Summer Youth Employment Program, you will need a Work Permit.

Here’s how to get one:

1. Receive the application at Intake

• The Work Permit instruction manual and Application for Minor Work Permit will be provided to the parent/guardian at the Intake Appointment.

• Y.O.U. pre-signs the application as the employer, which is why it is not available until after the Intake Appointment.

• Check out How to Get a Work Permit document for more details

2. Complete the process

• The process can take time and requires a physical exam. Your physician must sign off on their portion of the application.

• Do not use blank work permit applications from your child’s school or online—they will not be accepted.

3. Submit your completed permit

• You must turn in the completed Work Permit at your Y.O.U. Orientation to participate in the program.

Check out the FAQs about Work Permits to learn more.