Employment Services

Employment First

California’s Employment First policy makes employment in an integrated setting, at a competitive wage, the highest priority for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD).

For Employers

Tax Incentives

  • Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) — A Federal tax credit available to employers for hiring individuals from certain target groups, including people with disabilities, who have consistently faced significant barriers to employment.
  • Disabled Access Credit — Provides a non-refundable credit for small businesses that incur expenditures for the purpose of providing access to persons with disabilities.
  • Barrier Removal Tax Deduction — Encourages businesses of any size to remove architectural and transportation barriers to the mobility of persons with disabilities and the elderly. Businesses may claim a deduction of up to $15,000 a year for qualified expenses.

Workplace Accommodations

Job Accommodation Network (JAN) — The leading source of free, expert, and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues.

For Individuals and Families

ABLE Act and CalABLE

The Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act lets a person with a disability and that person’s family put money into a special tax-advantaged account. The first $100,000 in an ABLE account will not count against the $2,000 Supplemental Security Income (SSI) resource limit, nor will it count against resource limits for other programs such as Medi-Cal.

This work incentive means that if a consumer gets a job, they can start saving money without losing benefits. Visit calable.ca.gov for more information.

Volunteer Opportunities

Check your city and county websites for local volunteer opportunities, or search VolunteerMatch for positions near you.

For Providers

The California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR), California Department of Education (CDE), and California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) have entered into a collaborative partnership consistent with California’s Employment First policy to make competitive integrated employment the highest priority for individuals with ID/DD.

The California Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE) Blueprint is the combined effort of CDE, DOR, and DDS, in partnership with stakeholders including Disability Rights California (DRC), with leadership from the California Health and Human Services Agency (CHHS). The purpose of the Blueprint is to increase opportunities for Californians with ID/DD to prepare for and participate in competitive integrated employment.

To view the Local Partnership Agreements for the counties served by SARC, please email SARC’s Employment Specialist for the most current document.

Benefits Planning

  • Social Security Red Book — A general reference tool designed to provide a working knowledge of disability benefit provisions. Also available as a PDF in English or Spanish.
  • Benefits Planning Query — Provides information about a beneficiary’s disability cash benefits, health insurance, scheduled disability reviews, representative payee, and work history as stored in SSA’s electronic records. An important planning tool for beneficiaries, benefits counselors, or others developing customized services for a disability beneficiary who wants to work.
  • Work Incentives through SSI
  • Disability Benefits 101 — Tools and information on health coverage, benefits, and employment. Plan ahead and learn how work and benefits go together.
  • Disability Rights California — Advocates, educates, investigates, and litigates to advance the rights, dignity, equal opportunities, and choices for all people with disabilities.
  • WIPA Program — Center for Independence of Individuals with Disabilities (CID) — Works with individuals who receive SSI and SSDI to help them navigate how benefits are affected when returning to work. This resource is free.

Important: You must report wages any time you work and receive SSI and/or SSDI. If you have questions on how to report, ask your service coordinator for the “How To Report Earnings to Social Security” pamphlet.