Hire a Hero and Earn Up to $9,600. Companies looking for team players possessing valuable skills can now look forward to receiving up to $9,600 for each qualified new hire. Under the VOW to Hire Heroes Act, employers may qualify for significant work opportunity tax credits. Program Details The credits are available for veterans hired between November 22, 2011, and December 31, 2012. The veteran must be a new hire (meaning you haven’t employed them previously) and not be a relative of the employer. In addition, they must be employed for at least 400 hours for you to earn the full credit. If the veteran works at least 120 hours but less than 400 hours, the percentage of wages qualifying for the credit is reduced to 25 percent.