New York State Veteran Employment and 55-c Hiring Program (Veteran Employment (55-c))
New York's 55-c program lets up to 500 state jobs be filled by qualified wartime-era veterans who have a service-connected disability rating of at least 10 percent, without taking the civil service exam. DVS also connects veterans to Department of Labor employment services with priority job and training access.
Who it is for
Wartime-era veterans with a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs service-connected disability rating of at least 10 percent who meet the minimum qualifications for a state position can use the 55-c hiring path. Any New York veteran can use the Department of Labor's veteran priority services, including the Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program and Local Veterans Employment Representatives.
Focus: Veterans with disabilities
Before you start
How you apply: Apply directly to the program.
How to apply
- Confirm you have a VA service-connected disability rating of at least 10 percent and gather your DD-214 and VA rating letter.
- Contact a Veterans Benefits Advisor at 1-888-838-7697 or visit the DVS employment page to start a 55-c application and find open positions.
- For job search help, call the Department of Labor at 1-888-4-NYSDOL to reach a career center and ask for veteran priority service.
Deadline: There is no single deadline. 55-c positions and employment services are available on an ongoing basis; apply when a position or need arises. (Rolling, apply any time)
Verified as of 2026-07-06. Resources are checked periodically against their official source. Details, amounts, and deadlines change. Confirm the current information on the official page before you rely on it.