Minimum Wage Increase: What It Means for People with Disabilities

Abstract

[Excerpt] The federal government has passed legislation that increases the minimum wage, the first increase in the national minimum wage in a decade. In addition, a number of states have recently increased the minimum wage to a rate higher than the federal level. For people with significant disabilities who either earn the minimum wage or close to it, these changes present a wonderful opportunity to increase their income. At the same, there are some issues that people with disabilities may need to consider regarding the changes in minimum wage. The purpose of this fact sheet is to review how minimum wage increases are relevant for people with disabilities and provide guidance on how to deal with the impact of the minimum wage on benefits and other issues.