📖 WPA Work Assignments & Job Reclassifications: How New Deal Workers Navigated Employment in the Great Depression

📜 Explore WPA Work Assignment Forms, Reassignment Slips, and Job Reclassification Records. Learn how workers were assigned, transferred, and classified under the New Deal, and uncover real case studies of laborers who navigated government employment. Essential reading for teachers, historians, and genealogists!

A WPA Worker Receives a Pay Check, January 1939. US National Archives and Records Administration NAID 594956. (Colorized by GG Archives for Emphasis). GGA Image ID # 22269acdb7

📜 WPA Work Assignments, Reassignments, and Reclassifications

📖 "How the WPA Assigned, Reassigned, and Classified Millions of Workers During the Great Depression"

The Work Progress Administration (WPA) played a critical role in providing employment during the Great Depression, offering millions of Americans an opportunity to earn a living while contributing to public projects. This review of WPA work assignment forms, reassignment slips, and reclassification records reveals the intricate process used to track workers, allocate jobs, and manage shifting workforce needs.

For teachers, students, genealogists, and historians, these records are an invaluable primary source that sheds light on how workers navigated federal employment, how the government structured relief efforts, and how job classifications changed over time.

During the Depression, the WPA used a number of forms to track work assignments.

A partial list includes:

• USES Form 325 Assignment Slip - Works Pogram
• WPA Form 402 Reassignment Slip
• WPA Form 402 (Revised 1936-08-15) Notice to Report for Work on Project
• WPA Form 404 (Revised 1936-08-15) Reclassification Slip
• Rubber Stamp Imprint: Timekeeping (Payroll Month, Assigned Hours, Assigned Hours Worked, Assigned Hours Lost, Not Allowable, Allowable Hours, Classification, Last Date Worked, and Certification by Timekeeper and Dated.

Assignments shall be made on W.P.A. Form 402 by the employment division upon requisition from the necessary operating division and workers shall be subject to all regulations governing employment of project supervisory persons paid on a monthly basis.

Form 402, notice to report for work, shows name and address of worker, identification number, wage classification, sex, race, relief status, time to report, number hours to be worked, signatures of placement officer, foreman, and client.

If the worker is accepted, the contractor, or his designated agent, and the worker shall sign copies 1 and 2 of WPA Form 402, Reassignment Slip. Copy 1 shall be returned to the worker and copy 2 forwarded to the pay roll unit.

All other copies shall be sent to the district Division of Employment of the WPA. if the worker is rejected, refuses the assignment, or fails to report, the contractor will clip together all copies in his possession, write "Rejected," "Refused Assignment," or "Failed to Report."

INSTRUCTIONS FOR FILLING IN W. P. A. FORM 402- REASSIGNMENT SLIP

General: This form is to be filled in for every worker reassigned to Works Progress Administration projects, including those now working on Emergency Relief... If a worker does not appear on the project at the specified time, or if the worker refuses the assignment, or if the worker is not accepted by the foreman, the foreman will mark all copies with 'Did not report', 'Refused job", or 'Rejected', respectively.

W. P. A. FORM 402 REASSIGNMENT SLIP

W. P. A. Form 402 (Revised 1936-08-15) Notice to Report for Work on Project

• Actual size: 6 by 4 inches.
• Number of pages: 1.
• Prepared by: District office.
• When prepared : When reassigning workers from one project to another.
• Source of data: Requisition for workers.
• Number of copies: 7.

Routing and distribution: Seventh copy retained by district office. Copies 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 sent through the office requisitioning to the project foreman.

If the worker is accepted, the first copy goes to the worker, the foreman signs the second copy and sends it to the payroll unit, and the remaining copies are returned to the district office for distribution.

If the worker is not accepted, the foreman indicates the reason on the face of the second copy, signs it, and returns all copies to the district office.

Case Studies

We'll follow Mr. William Frank Provence, Case No. 919, ID # 1885-518, who began his work assignments at age 60. He apparently was a skilled carpenter although most of his assignments he was considered an unskilled laborer.

Next we'll follow WPA Worker Mr. Louis H. Freeman, Case No. 736 [DFW] and Case No. IC 846, Identification No. 3603-3606, who managed to change job types with almost every new assignment. He was a Carpenter's Helper, Carpenter Apprentice, Carpenter, and lastly, an Unskilled Laborer.

15 November 1935, William Frank Provence, Case No. 919, ID # 1885-518, USES Form 325 Assignment Slip - Works Program - Project Nbr 566: 9th and Pacific Streets in Salina, KS. GGA Image ID # 1e886d6d4f. Click to View a Larger Image.

Transcription of Project No. 566

USES Form 325 ASSIGNMENT SLIP - WORKS RROGRAM (Not transferable) Employee’s name - Frank Privinne's, Age 60 Male Address Salina, KS Identification No. 1865-516 Date - Nov. 11. 1935 Previously assigned to works program project [No] Certified from relief rolls [X] Case No. 919. Relief district Saline County The person named above is to report ready for work at 8:00 am on November 15, 1935 as a Laborer, Code U at $35.00 per month on Project No. 566 of the Works Progress Administration, Req. No. 32C, at 9th and Pacific Streets to O. S. Faulkner (Forman or Supervisor). I HEREBY CERTIFY that I am the person named above as employee. /s/ (Signature of worker) Penalties are provided for illegal signature, transfer or use of form. Assignment Official: Harold J. Seusy Copy 6: TO APPLICANT FOR DELIVERY TO FOREMAN OR SUPERVISOR c16—4120 U.S. Government Printing Office.

30 Jul 1936, William Frank Provence, Case No. 919, ID # 1885-518, WPA Form 402 Reassignment Slip, Project No. 459: Kenwood Park in Salina, KS. GGA Image ID # 1e88b93c30. Click to View a Larger Image.

Transcription of Project No. 459

Duplicate WPA Form 402 REASSIGNMENTSLIP (Not transferable). Employees name: Province, Frank. Identification No. 1885-518. Address: Salina, KS, Date: 30 July 1936. Case No. 919. Relief Distrct: Saline Co. Age: 60 (Male). Reassigned from Project No. 566 to Project No. 459. The person named above is to report ready for work at 8:00 am on 30 July 1936, as a Laborer. Code 7V10 at $0.32 per hour at Kenwood Park. Project Located at Saline County to Henry Bauman (Foreman or Supervisor). I Hereby Certified that I am the Person named above as employee. /s/ (Signature of worker). Penalties are provided for illegal signature, transfer, or use of form. Reassignment official /s/ Luther O. Williams N.H.

17 Feb 1937, William Frank Provence, Case No. 919, ID # 1885-518, WPA Form 402 Notice To Report For Work On Project No. 5223: Walnut Twp. Road in Salina, KS. GGA Image ID # 1e8935e5bb. Click to View a Larger Image.

Transcript of Project No. 5223

WPA Form 402 Revised 8-15-36. NOTICE TO REPORT FOR WORK ON PROJECT. B A Address Salina, KS. Case No. 919. Date 17 February 1937. Male, Certified [X]. Transfer—Yes [X]. From Project No. 4097 to Project No. 5293. Additional Information Age 62. Foreman: Fred Warnow. You are asked to report ready for work at 8:00 A.M. on Thursday, 18 February 1937 at Walnut Twp. Road with ____ as Laborer on 5293. Wage Class Unskilled. Location of Project Walnut Twp - Saline County. Signature of placement officer /s/ Luther O. Williams. (Penalties are provided for illegal signature, transfer, or use of this form) I HEREBY certify that I am the person named above as employee: Employee s signature /s/ William Frank Province. Date employee begins work 18 February 1937. Foreman's Signature /s/ Fred Warnow. U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. Part 5 To Worker.

19 Aug 1937, William Frank Provence, Case No. 919, ID # 1885-518, WPA Form 402 Notice To Report For Work On Project No. 5727: Community Sanitation in Salina, KS. GGA Image ID # 1e89427817. Click to View a Larger Image.

Transcription of Project No. 5727

WPA Form 402 Revised 8-15-36 NOTICE TO REPORT FOR WORK ON PROJECT. Name Province, Frank. Identification No. 1885-518. Address Salina, KS. Case No. 919. Date 19 August 1937. Male. Transfer Yes [X]. From Project No. 5293 to Project No. 5727. Additional Information Foreman: Sam Brice. You ore asked to report ready for work at 8:00 A.M. on 19 August 1937 at Community Sanitation with _____ as Carpenter on 5727 Wage Class Skilled. Location of Project Saline County. Signature of placement officer /s/ Luther O. Williams. (Penalties are provided for illegal signature, transfer, or use of this form) I hereby certify that I am the person named above as employee: Employee's signature. Date employee begins work ____/ Foreman's signature Sam Brice. U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 10-4100.

26 Nov 1937, William Frank Provence, Case No. 919, ID # 1885-518, WPA Form 402 Notice To Report For Work On Project No. 5846: County Barn in Salina, KS. GGA Image ID # 1e8830252d. Click to View a Larger Image.

Transcription of Project No. 5846

WPA Form 402 Revised 8-15-36 NOTICE TO REPORT FOR WORK ON PROJECT. Name Provence, Willlam F. Identification No 1885-518. Address Salina, KS, Case No. 919. Date 23 November 1937. Male, Certified [X]. Transfer Yes [X]. From Project No. 5727 to Project No. 5846. Additional information Henry J. Baumann, Salina, KS. You are asked to report ready for work at. 8:00 A. M. on 26 November 1937 at County Barn with ___ as Laborer on 5846. Wage CLass U $0.32. Location of Project 5 Miles N of Hedville. Signature of placement officer /s/ M. H. Rigby. (Penalties are provided for illegal signature, transfer, or use of this form). I hereby certify that I am the person named above as employee: Employee’s signature /s/ Date begins work _____. Foreman’s signature/s/ Henry J. Baumann. U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 16-4100.

1 May 1937, Louis H. Freeman, Case No. 736, ID # 3603-3606, WPA Form 402 Notice to Report for Work on Project - Project No. 165-85-2079-1134: Roswell, NM. GGA Image ID # 2224a540d5. Click to View a Larger Image.

Transcription of Project No 165-85-2079-1134

WPA Form 402 Revised 8-15-36 NOTICE TO REPORT FOR WORK ON PROJECT Name —Freemans Louis H. Identification No. 3603-3606 Address Frazier, NM Case No. 736 Date 5-1-37 Sex [M] Race [W] Certified [X] Transfer [Yes] From Project No. 65-85-1075-968 to Project No. 165-85-2079-1134 Additional information Age 34 969--OK You are asked to report ready for work at 8 AM on Monday, 5-3-37 at Roswell with ____ as Carpenter Helper on 165-85-2079-1134 Wage class I $0.39 Location of project Roswell, New Mexico Signature of placement officer /s/ Cl. t A. B. (Penalties are provided for illegal signature, transfer, or use of this form) I HEREBY CERTIFY that I am the person named above as employee: Employee’s signature /s/ Louis H. Freeman Date employee begins work 5 p ST 3y Foreman’s signature /s/ Lauk J. Spuils? U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 16-4100.

25 Sep 1937, Louis H. Freeman, Case No. 936, ID # 3603-3606, WPA Form 402 Notice to Report for Work on Project - Project No. 65-85-1217-462: Roswell, NM. GGA Image ID # 2224b70ac6. Click to View a Larger Image.

Transcription of Project No 65-85-1217-462

WPA Form 402 Revised 8-15-36 NOTICE TO REPORT FOR WORK ON PROJECT Name —Freemans Louis H. Identification No. 3603-3606 Address Frazier, NM [DFW] Case No. 936 [DFW] Date 9-25-37 Sex [M] Race [W] Certified [X] Transfer [Yes] From Project No. 165-85-2079-11634 to Project No. 65-85-1217-462 Additional information Age 34 969--OK ECA You are asked to report ready for work at 8 AM on 26 September 1937 at Park Improvement with _____ as Carpenter Helper on 65-85-1217-462 Wage class I $0.39 per Hour Location of project Roswell, New Mexico Signature of placement officer /s/ Mary A. Orber? (Penalties are provided for illegal signature, transfer, or use of this form) I HEREBY CERTIFY that I am the person named above as employee: Employee’s signature /s/ Louis H. Freeman Date employee begins work 9-27-37 Foreman’s signature /s/ (Illegible). U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 16—4100.

4 Nov 1937, Louis H. Freeman, Case No. 736, ID # 3603-3606, WPA Form 402 Notice to Report for Work on Project - Project No. 465-85-2-105: Roswell, NM. GGA Image ID # 2225361413. Click to View a Larger Image.

Transcription of Project No 465-85-2-105

WPA Form 402 Revised 8-15-36 NOTICE TO REPORT FOR WORK ON PROJECT Name —Freeman, Louis H. Identification No. 3603-3606 Address Frazier, NM [DPW] Case No. 936 [DFW] Date 11-4-37 Sex [M] Race [W] Certified [X] Transfer [Yes] From Project No. 65-85-1217-462 to Project No. 465-85-2-105 Additional information Age 34 969--OK ECA You are asked to report ready for work at 8 AM on Saturday, 6 November 1937 at North Hill School with _____ as Carpenter's Helper on 465-85-2-105 1381 Wage class I $0.39 per Hour Location of project Roswell, New Mexico Signature of placement officer /s/ Mary A. Dokker? (Penalties are provided for illegal signature, transfer, or use of this form) I HEREBY CERTIFY that I am the person named above as employee: Employee’s signature /s/ Louis H. Freeman Date employee begins work 11-6-37 Foreman’s signature /s/ (Illegible). U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 16—4100.

6 Mar 1939, Louis H. Freeman, Case No. IC 846, ID # 3603-3606, WPA Form 402 Notice to Report for Work on Project - Project No. WP 1989: Roswell, NM. GGA Image ID # 2225411269. Click to View a Larger Image.

Transcription of Project No WP 1989

WPA Form 402 Revised 8-15-36 NOTICE TO REPORT FOR WORK ON PROJECT Name —Freeman, Louis H. Identification No. 3603-3606 Address Frazier, NM Case No. IC 846 Date March. 4, 1939 Sex [M] Race [W] Certified [X] Transfer [Yes] From Project No. WP 1772 to Project No. WP 1989 Additional information Age 34 You are asked to report ready for work at 8 AM on Monday, 6 March 1939 at North Hill School with _____ as Carpenter Apprentice 1 Year on WP 1989 Wage class S-A $0.55 per Hour 115 Hours per Month. Location of project Const. Teacherage, Diamond A. Ranch near Roswell, New Mexico Chaves County Req. 1 Signature of placement officer /s/ (Illegible) (Penalties are provided for illegal signature, transfer, or use of this form) I HEREBY CERTIFY that I am the person named above as employee: Employee’s signature /s/ Louis H. Freeman Date employee begins work March 6, 1939 Foreman’s signature /s/ O. L. Shields. U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 16—4100.

2 Jun 1939, Louis H. Freeman, Case No. IC 846, ID # 3603-3606, WPA Form 402 Notice to Report for Work on Project - Project No. WP 1772: Roswell, NM. GGA Image ID # 22255ee2c4. Click to View a Larger Image.

Transcription of Project No WP 1772

WPA Form 402 Revised 8-15-36 NOTICE TO REPORT FOR WORK ON PROJECT Name Freeman, Louis H. Identification No. 3603-3606 Address Frazier, NM Case No. IC 846 Date 2 June 1939 Chaves County Sex [M] Race [W] Certified [X] Transfer [Yes] From Project No. WP 1989 to Project No. WP 1772 Additional information Age 37 You are asked to report ready for work at 8 AM on Monday 5 June 1939 at Roswell NM with _____ as Carpenter's Helper on WP 1772 Wage class I $0.55 per Hour 92 hours per month. Location of project Const. Adobe School, Oasis Ranch, Roswell, NM Chaves County Signature of placement officer /s/ (Illegible) (Penalties are provided for illegal signature, transfer, or use of this form) I HEREBY CERTIFY that I am the person named above as employee: Employee’s signature /s/ Louis H. Freeman Date employee begins work 6-7-39 Foreman’s signature /s/ Otis L. Shields. U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 16—4100.

19 June 1939, Louis H. Freeman, Case No. IC 846, ID # 3603-3606, WPA Form 402 Notice to Report for Work on Project - Project No. WP 2079: Roswell, NM. GGA Image ID # 22259c9144. Click to View a Larger Image.

Transcription of Project No WP 2079

WPA Form 402 Revised 8-15-36 NOTICE TO REPORT FOR WORK ON PROJECT Name Freeman, Louis H. Identification No. 3603-3606 Address Frazier, NM Case No. IC 846 Date 19 June 1939 Chaves County Sex [M] Race [W] Certified [X] Transfer [Yes] From Project No. WP 1772 to Project No. WP 2079 Additional information Age 36 You are asked to report ready for work at 8 AM on Tuesday 20 June 1939 at Rippee, NM with _____ as Carpenter on WP 2079 Wage class S $1.00 per Hour 64 hours per month. Location of project Const. School Building, Rippee, NM Chaves County Req. 2 Signature of placement officer /s/ Chester N. Numman? (Penalties are provided for illegal signature, transfer, or use of this form) I HEREBY CERTIFY that I am the person named above as employee: Employee’s signature /s/ Louis H. Freeman Date employee begins work 6-20-39 Foreman’s signature /s/ O. L. Shields. U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 16—4100.

18 August 1939, Louis H. Freeman, Case No. IC 846, ID # 3603-3606, WPA Form 402 Notice to Report for Work on Project - Project No. 1805: Roswell, NM. GGA Image ID # 2225cb0cca. Click to View a Larger Image.

Transcription of Project No 1805

WPA Form 402 Revised 8-15-36 NOTICE TO REPORT FOR WORK ON PROJECT Name Freeman, Louis H. Identification No. 3603-3606 Address Frazier, NM Case No. IC 846 Date 19 June 1939 Chaves County Sex [M] Race [W] Certified [X] Transfer [Yes] From Project No. WP 1772 to Project No. WP 2079 Additional information Age 36 You are asked to report ready for work at 8 AM on Monday 21 August 1939 at Warehouse Constr., Roswell NM with _____ as Laborer on 1805 Wage class Unskilled $44.20 per Month 120 hours per month. Location of project County Warehouse Construction, Roswell, NM, Chaves County Signature of placement officer /s/ Rodney Elles? (Penalties are provided for illegal signature, transfer, or use of this form) I HEREBY CERTIFY that I am the person named above as employee: Employee’s signature /s/ Louis H. Freeman Date employee begins work 8-21-39 Foreman’s signature /s/ Ruben C. Casselam? U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 16—4100.

Time Keeping Memorandum for Mr. Louis H. Freeman. Rubber Stamp Form on the Back Side of WPA Form 402 Revised 1936-08-15 Notice to Report for Work on Project, Case No. IC 846 Project No. WP 1989. Timekeeping Entry: Payroll Month 19th to 18th. Assigned Hours 115. Assigned Hours Worked 58. Assigned Hours Lost, Not Allowable 0. Allowable Hours 0. Classification App. Carpenter 1 Year. Last Date Worked 1 March 1939 7 Hours. I Hereby Certifiy that the Date a Shown Hereon is Correct as of 6 March 1939. /s/ Orland K. Brady, Timekeeper. GGA Image ID # 2225ce3c94

Time Keeping Memorandum for Mr. Louis H. Freeman. Rubber Stamp Form on the Back Side of WPA Form 402 Revised 1936-08-15 Notice to Report for Work on Project, Case No. IC 846 Project No. WP 1772. Timekeeping Entry: Payroll Month 19th to 18th. Assigned Hours 92. Assigned Hours Worked 0. Assigned Hours Lost, Not Allowable 0. Allowable Hours [No Entry]. Classification Carpenter 's Helper. Last Date Worked 31 May 1939 3 Hours. I Hereby Certifiy that the Date a Shown Hereon is Correct as of 7 June 1939. /s/ O. L. Shields, Timekeeper. GGA Image ID # 222662995c

17 Jan 1939, Louis H. Freeman, Case No. R [IC 846], ID # 3603-3606, WPA Form 404 Reclassification Slip - Project No. EP 1772: Oasis School Building Near Roswell, NM. GGA Image ID # 22267a344a. Click to View a Larger Image.

Transcription of Reclassification Slip - Project No. EP 1172

WPA Form 402 Revised 8-15-36 RECLASSIFICATION SLIP Employee’s name Freeman, Louis H. Identification No. 3603-3606 Address Frazier, NM Case No. "R" [IC 846] Chaves County Date 17 January 1939 Sex [M] Race [W] Certified [X] Now working as Forn Builder's Helper Wage class I at $0.39 per hour On Project No. EP 1772 at Oasis School Building Near Roswell NM, Chaves County. A change in occupation is recommended for the above-named person: To Carpenter Apprentice 1 Year Wage Class S-A at $0.55 per hour, 115 Hours per Month Req. 2 Man Being Used in this Capacity. By /s/ Otis L. Shields Foreman or Supervisor. Approved by /s/ "Assign. Officer", Supervisor WPA Employment Division. Effective with payroll period beginning 19 January 1939. This form is to be used ONLY for changes in occupational title. It is not to be used for transfers or reassignments. [HS] U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 16—4127.

31 Mar 1939, Louis H. Freeman, Case No. IC 846, ID # 3603-3606, WPA Form 404 Reclassification Slip - Project No. WP 1989: Roswell, NM. GGA Image ID # 22254f69dd. Click to View a Larger Image.

Transcription of Reclassification Slip - Project No. WP 1989

WPA Form 402 Revised 8-15-36 RECLASSIFICATION SLIP Employee’s name Freeman, Louis H. Identification No. 3603-3606 Address Frazier, NM Case No. IC 846 Chaves County Date March 31, 1939 Sex [M] Race [W] Certified [X] Now working as Carpenter Apprentice 1 Year Wage class S-A at $0.55 per hour On Project No. WP 1989 at Teacherage Const., near Roswell, NM, Chaves County. A change in occupation is recommended for the above-named person: To Carpenter Helper Wage Class I at $0.30 per hour-130 hours per month. To comply with W-38 Wage Schedule. By /s/ (Illegible) Foreman or Supervisor. Approved by /s/ (Illegible) Assign. Officers, Supervisor WPA Employment Division. Effective with payroll period beginning 4 April 1939. This form is to be used ONLY for changes in occupational title. It is not to be used for transfers or reassignments. [hs] U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 16—4127.

29 May 1939, Louis H. Freeman, Case No. IC 846, ID # 3603-3606, WPA Form 404 Reclassification Slip - Project No. WP 1989: Roswell, NM. GGA Image ID # 22269568a5. Click to View a Larger Image.

Transcription of Reclassification Slip - Project No. WP 1989

WPA Form 402 Revised 8-15-36 RECLASSIFICATION SLIP Employee’s name Freeman, Louis H. Identification No. 3603-3606 Address Frazier, NM Case No. IC 846 Chaves County Date May 29, 1939 Sex [M] Race [W] Now working as Carpenter's Helper Wage class I at $0.39 per hour On Project No. WP 1989 at Dramans A Teacharage, Roswell, NM, Chaves County. A change in occupation is recommended for the above-named person: To Carpenter Helper Wage Class I at $0.55 per hour-92 hours per month. By /s/ Otis L. Shields Foreman or Supervisor. Approved by /s/ Chester H Nueman, Supervisor WPA Employment Division. Effective with payroll period beginning 19 May 1939. This form is to be used ONLY for changes in occupational title. It is not to be used for transfers or reassignments. [hs] U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 16—4127.

Assignment to WPA Projects

Workers listed in the awaiting assignment flies, after being classified occupationally, were assigned to suitable work whenever new projects were started, of project employment was expanded, or replacements were required. [Note 1]

Assignment was made by the issuance of a slip—WPA form 402—which was mailed to the applicant; it instructed him to report for work at a certain place on a certain date, and informed him as to the type of work he was to do and the wage rate at which he would be paid.

Assignments were subject to certain preferences established by legislation. In the ERA Act of 1937, Congress established veterans' preference in WPA employment/ Further preferential arrangements were due to the fact that WPA funds were never sufficient to employ all of the persons certified for employment. Questions arose as to whose need was greatest.

Some State welfare officials urged that priority in WPA assignments be given, first, to families of the size (usually four members) that could be entirely maintained by WPA wages and, second, to larger families for whom supplementary direct relief would still be required.

Other welfare officials held that the workers having the greatest need—those with the largest families— should be assigned first. In States where no funds, either State or local, were provided for direct relief to employable persons, sentiment was strong for restricting WPA employment to the wage-earning member of the larger families.

These demands were conflicting, and it was not until 1939 that Congress passed upon them. Preference in terms of relative need was established by Congress in the ERA Act of 1939."

In accordance with this act. the WPA set up two categories of need—families or persons with no income and families or persons with income insufficient for maintenance on a subsistence level. "No income" was interpreted to mean no regular income significant in size when compared with the need of the family or person.

For a time, single persons without dependents were placed in a third category, but it was later decided that they should be placed in one or the other of the first two categories."

The ERA Act, fiscal year 1941, added the requirement that unmarried widows of veterans and wives of unemployable veterans be given the same preference as veterans.

Thus far, the preference given to veterans and their wives and unmarried widows was a preference over other persons within the same category of relative need. However, the ERA acts for the fiscal years 1942 and 1943 gave preference to such veterans and veterans' wives or widows regardless of the relative needs of others.

Historical Records Survey (U.S.) -1941

Form 144, oomplete oooupational record of client and family, secured by FERA for information of Division of Employment of WPA. Filed numerically by case numbers, under county groups. (Rarely, official.) 10x12 oards. 3 ft. 10 in., in 2 drawers of steel filing case. R. not numbered. (22) 520. OCCUPATIONAL RECORDS, ASSIGNMENTS, AND CERTIFICATIONS, 1935 -1937. Form 144-A, occupational classification record; Form 402, reassignment slip; Form 403, notice of termination.

United States Federal Works Agency, "Section 3: Employment (Assignment)," in Final Report on the WPA Program, 1935-1943, Washington DC: U.S. Government Print Office, 1946, pp. 20-21.

📌 Work Assignments Were Carefully Tracked

The WPA used a series of standardized forms to organize employment and labor distribution:

✅ USES Form 325 – Initial Assignment Slip for the WPA Works Program.

✅ WPA Form 402 – Reassignment Slip, issued when workers were transferred to new projects.

✅ WPA Form 404 – Reclassification Slip, used to change a worker’s job title or skill level.

✅ Timekeeping Forms – Stamped documents tracking hours worked, lost hours, and wages earned.

📌 Workers Were Frequently Moved Between Projects

🔹 Workers received notices to report for work and could be transferred at any time based on project availability.

🔹 WPA officials prioritized workers with families and veterans when filling job openings.

🔹 If a worker was rejected from a project or failed to report, the foreman had to document it.

📌 Some Workers Were Reclassified into Skilled Positions

🔹 While many WPA workers started as unskilled laborers, some were upgraded to skilled jobs based on their performance.

🔹 Reclassification Slips (Form 404) show workers transitioning from laborers to carpenters, machine operators, and other skilled trades.

📌 Preference for WPA Assignments Was Based on Economic Need

🔹 The 1937 Emergency Relief Appropriation (ERA) Act established hiring preferences for veterans and workers supporting large families.

🔹 Single individuals without dependents had lower hiring priority.

🔹 The 1941 ERA Act extended hiring preference to widows of veterans.

📌 Workers Had to Sign Legal Documents

🔹 Every form required the worker’s signature to confirm that they accepted the job.

🔹 Workers who refused an assignment could lose eligibility for future WPA work.

🖼️ Noteworthy Images & Case Studies

🖼️ WPA Worker Receives a Pay Check, January 1939.

Superb Imagery of a WPA Construction Worker appropriate for the Case Studies. (Colorized by GG Archives).

📜 Tracking the Work History of WPA Laborers

The article provides a fascinating case study of two WPA workers, showing how they were assigned, reassigned, and promoted:

🏗️ Case Study 1: William Frank Provence

Started as an Unskilled Laborer but Became a Skilled Carpenter

✅ November 15, 1935 – Assigned to Project 566 in Salina, Kansas as an Unskilled Laborer.

✅ July 30, 1936 – Reassigned to Kenwood Park (Project 459) at $0.32 per hour.

✅ February 17, 1937 – Assigned to Walnut Township Road Project.

✅ August 19, 1937 – Promoted to Skilled Carpenter on Community Sanitation Project (Project 5727).

✅ November 23, 1937 – Moved back to Unskilled Laborer on County Barn Project (Project 5846).

📌 What Makes This Case Study Interesting?

🔹 Shows career progression within the WPA – workers could be upgraded to skilled trades.

🔹 Demonstrates how workers were frequently reassigned based on project needs.

🔹 Highlights the short-term nature of WPA jobs, as workers had to move between different projects.

🔨 Case Study 2: Louis H. Freeman

Started as an Apprentice, Became a Carpenter, Then Reclassified as a Laborer

✅ May 3, 1937 – Started as a Carpenter’s Helper in Roswell, New Mexico.

✅ March 6, 1939 – Promoted to Carpenter Apprentice on Teacher Housing Project.

✅ June 20, 1939 – Became a Carpenter on a School Building Project in Rippee, NM.

✅ August 21, 1939 – Reclassified as an Unskilled Laborer on Warehouse Construction Project.

📌 What Makes This Case Study Interesting?

🔹 Shows fluctuations in job titles – workers were sometimes downgraded based on funding and available positions.

🔹 Highlights how workers could improve their wages and skills over time.

🔹 Reflects the temporary and unstable nature of WPA employment.

🏗️ The Bigger Picture: What WPA Assignment Records Reveal

📚 Relevance for Teachers & Students

🔹 Provides a detailed look at how federal employment programs functioned.

🔹 Offers a real-world case study on New Deal employment strategies.

🔹 Highlights the government’s role in stabilizing the workforce during economic crises.

📜 Relevance for Genealogists

🔹 WPA records help trace ancestors’ employment history during the Great Depression.

🔹 Provides details on specific work locations and wages, giving insight into a relative’s financial struggles.

🔹 May indicate family migration patterns, as WPA workers often moved for jobs.

📖 Relevance for Historians & Labor Scholars

🔹 Shows how government relief programs were structured.

🔹 Highlights labor classifications and the social hierarchy within the WPA.

🔹 Provides insight into wage disparities and hiring preferences.

📌 Key Facts About WPA Assignments:

WPA employment was subject to strict eligibility criteria, including financial need and family size.

Veterans, their wives, and widows received special employment preference, as determined by multiple legislative acts between 1937 and 1943.

A worker could be reassigned multiple times within the WPA system, as demonstrated in the case of Frank Province, whose reassignments are documented in this collection.

📌 Single individuals without dependents were deprioritized in assignments, though this policy was later reconsidered.

📋 Employment Preferences & Worker Selection

One of the most important and debated aspects of WPA hiring was who got jobs first when positions became available.

📌 Key Policies:

✔️ Veterans, their wives, and widows were given hiring preference over non-veterans.

✔️ Workers with larger families had priority over those with fewer dependents.

✔️ WPA funds were limited, meaning that not all eligible applicants could be assigned to work immediately.

✔️ Single, able-bodied individuals were given lowest priority for jobs.

📌 What Makes This Interesting?

Reveals how federal employment policies shaped families’ survival during the Great Depression.

Shows how government programs directly influenced hiring decisions, unlike private industry.

Explains why some individuals remained unemployed despite WPA funding.

🔎 Relevance to WPA and New Deal History

📌 For Teachers & Students:

These forms serve as primary sources for studying the bureaucratic operations of the WPA.

Illustrates how federal work programs were structured and administered at the local level.

Provides insight into the employment struggles of everyday Americans during the 1930s.

📌 For Genealogists:

These forms may contain valuable information about an ancestor’s employment history.

Can be used to trace where a family member worked and how they moved through various WPA projects.

Could provide leads for searching local WPA project records to learn more about specific job assignments.

📌 For Historians & Labor Scholars:

Highlights the role of government in shaping employment policies during economic crises.

Sheds light on the challenges of federally managed labor programs and their limitations.

Provides insight into how public works jobs were allocated and distributed among workers.

⚖️ Discussion of Bias in WPA Employment Records

📌 Potential Biases in Hiring & Job Assignments

🔹 Veterans & family men were prioritized, meaning single women and childless workers struggled to get WPA jobs.

🔹 African American and immigrant workers may have faced discrimination in job assignments.

🔹 Some workers were downgraded in classification (from skilled to unskilled laborer) due to funding cuts rather than ability.

📌 Potential Bias in Government Documentation

🔹 The records highlight successful placements but may not reflect workers who were denied WPA jobs.

🔹 Foremen had discretion over hiring, which could have led to local favoritism or unfair dismissals.

📌 Why Does This Matter?

🔹 Understanding these biases helps paint a fuller picture of the New Deal and the social dynamics of government employment during the 1930s.

📜 "Work Assignment Forms of the WPA: How Millions Found Employment Through the New Deal" 📜

The WPA Work Assignment Forms provide an invaluable glimpse into how labor was managed, organized, and assigned under the Works Progress Administration (WPA) during the Great Depression. These documents, including assignment slips, reassignment forms, and notices to report for work, reveal the detailed administrative process used to distribute jobs to unemployed Americans, ensuring that as many workers as possible received employment under the New Deal.

For teachers, students, genealogists, and historians, these records offer tangible proof of how federal work programs operated, how workers transitioned between projects, and how the WPA determined eligibility based on economic need.

💡 Explore WPA Work Assignment Forms, which directed workers to federally funded projects during the Great Depression. Learn about employment policies, hiring preferences, and the struggles of WPA workers as they navigated government relief programs. A must-read for teachers, students, genealogists, and historians!

🏗️ Final Thoughts: Why This Document Matters

These WPA work assignment records offer a rare glimpse into how millions of Americans navigated federal employment during the Great Depression. By following real-life workers, we see how government intervention shaped the economy, provided stability, and helped people survive one of the most difficult economic periods in U.S. history.

📌 Ultimately, this document is an essential historical record that highlights the power of public employment programs to rebuild lives and communities. 💪🏽🏗️🚧

📣 Call to Action for Researchers:

🕵🏽 Looking for an ancestor who worked in the WPA? Check local archives, labor union records, and historical newspapers for mentions of WPA projects in your area! 📜