Submit Your Comment in Support of Ending Subminimum Wage for Workers with Disabilities

Action Alert

Under current federal law, people with disabilities can be legally paid less than federal minimum wage simply because they are disabled. Employers can apply for a certificate under rule 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act (14(c) Certificate) that allows them to pay their workers with disabilities less. Federal minimum wage is currently $7.25 an hour. Most people with disabilities working under the current rule are making less than $3.50 an hour. 

On December 3, 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) called “Employment of Workers with Disabilities Under Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act.” Under the new rule, the DOL gives up it’s ability to issue 14(c) Certificates and no employer will be able to pay workers with disabilities wages less than the federal minimum wage. 

DREDF urges individuals and organizations to submit a public comment in support of the new rule. The Center for American Progress has released a guide on how to submit a comment on the new rule. Anyone can submit a comment on the Federal Register website. 

The deadline for submitting a comment is January 17, 2025.

Why does this matter? 

This rule is extremely unjust and exacerbates the structural exclusion and oppression of people with disabilities who are twice as likely to live below the federal poverty line (FPL) and are subject to the stereotype that the work they do is not as worthwhile.  These stereotypes contribute to people with disabilities being much more likely to be unemployed than non-disabled people. Black people with disabilities are more likely to live below the FPL than white people with disabilities because people of color with disabilities are more likely to experience multi marginalization. 

Learn more about subminimum wage for disabled workers