BARBOURSVILLE, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Unemployment lines are filling up across the nation and one group is especially hit hard, senior citizens.

A new survey shows 31 percent of those over 65 will stay on the job longer due to their shrinking retirement funds.

While another 22 percent now plan to return to the workforce, just to make ends meet.

Luckily for local workers there is a successful non-profit program that can help them find a job for free.

The Southwestern Community Action Council now boasts the best mature worker program in the nation.

Alissa Stewart is the Director of the Program which helps those 55 and older find work.

“I think there's always a job out there if somebody truly needs to work,” Stewart said.

Bill Payne is one of the success stories.

At 67 years old Payne said he went into Southwestern out of curiosity.

“I definitely am not a sit at home and read books and watch TV type of person,” Payne said.

Today he is a Dining Room Manager at Chick-Fil-A.

“We think of instead of retirement, rehirement, and it's been an excellent program,” said Chick-Fil-A Owner Larry Pittman.

Pittman has teamed up with Southwestern three times and says it's a win-win.

“They bring in qualities that a lot of young people don't have today," Pittman said.

“The 55 and older population is the best population to place. They tend to show up to work on time, they’re more dependable. They have superior job ethics and job standards compared to some of the generations we see nowadays,” Stewart said.

Payne is the perfect example, going from a retiree to a full-time management position.

“I was standing there in the office doing some paperwork and Mr. Pittman called from the Chick-Fil-A saying he needed somebody that could run the dining room for him, and they sent me up for an interview, and here I am today,” Payne said.

Southwestern serves 10 local counties in West Virginia and Kentucky.

The Huntington Program ranked number one in the country in senior job placement, the Ashland Program ranked number two.

Last year the Southwestern Community Action Council's placement rate was 80 percent, one of the highest in the country.

The organization also helps seniors with training and it's all free thanks to government funding.

If you would like more information you can give the Stewart a call at (304) 525-5151