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Subminimum Wage in South Carolina Ends Today |
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South Carolina's Historic Legislation In May of 2022 South Carolina's Governor signed the bill eliminating subminimum wage following years of grassroots advocacy by Able SC and partners. Our state became the third state in the Southeast and the thirteenth in the nation to pass legislation, breaking from federal law that permits the practice. Since that time subminimum wages have been phased out, officially ending today, August 1, 2024. |
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The minimum wage in South Carolina is $7.25 per hour, but prior to today, people with disabilities were getting paid as little as five cents per hour. This was done in "work activity centers” or sheltered workshop settings. Sheltered workshops are places where people with disabilities are segregated from non-disabled people to work for subminimum wages. From these settings, less than 5% transition into community-based employment. Community-based employment offers jobs where people with disabilities can work alongside non-disabled peers. South Carolina’s bill prioritized the stability of those subject to subminimum wage by developing the Task Force on Eliminating Subminimum wage. The task force developed a plan and monitored the phase-out of subminimum wage and their final plan to further support the people who transitioned and build capacity for data collection and employment services for people with disabilities. While we applaud the leadership of Senator Katrina Shealy, Senator Tom Davis, Representative Neal Collins, Representative Bill Sandifer, and South Carolina’s lawmakers for supporting the rights of the 1.2 million people with disabilities in our state, we also honor those disabilities who tirelessly advocated for their employment rights for decades. |
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“Ending subminimum wage is finally employment justice for people with disabilities! We are thrilled by the result, ensuring that people with disabilities are valued and equal members of South Carolina’s competitive workforce. Today marks a new future for people with disabilities in South Carolina.” -Kimberly Tissot, Able SC President and CEO |
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What's Next: Task Force to Oversight Commission The Task Force on Eliminating Subminimum wage is set to be dismantled this month and will leave behind a report for the Employment First Oversight Commission, established due to the passing of bill S.533 which contained the Employment First Initiative Act. The report will contain recommendations and monitoring efforts that will require continued work. Employment First means that employment in the community should be the first and preferred option for people with disabilities. It means real jobs for real wages. You can learn more about employment first at the APSE website. The Employment First Initiative Act:
- Requires an Employment First Oversight Commission. An oversight commission is a group of people who have the authority to study and make recommendations about a topic.
- Makes our state a leader in inclusive hiring practices. This means hiring people based on their skills and abilities, regardless of whether they are disabled or not.
- Encourage businesses to include people with disabilities in the workforce by providing incentives. An incentive is a payment, tax break, lowered fee, or no-cost option to encourage people and businesses to do something.
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Increase in Employment Among People with Disabilities The most recent data from the American Community Survey shows that from 2021 to 2022, employment among people with disabilities in South Carolina increased by 4.5%! The number of South Carolinians with disabilities who are employed increased from 35.8% in 2021, to 40.3% in 2022! There is still a lot of work to be done, but these numbers show that our state is headed in the right direction. Follow the link in the "learn the stats" button for a larger view of the image. |
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Hire Me SC is here for you - we have resources for everyone: |
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Job Seekers- You have skills and talents. Employment is possible, and we have the resources you need to get there. |
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Employers- You will benefit from hiring individuals with disabilities. We can show you how your company can thrive. |
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Service Providers- You can empower disabled people to reach their goals. We can show you the skills you need to make it happen. |
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You can empower your loved one to meet their employment goals. We can help you be an educated advocate. |
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WIN: Expanded access to childcare jobs for people with disabilities in South Carolina We have been supporting s.862, a bill that expands access to jobs in childcare for people with disabilities. We are thrilled to report that that bill was overwhelmingly supported and passed into law! “This will not only increase the employment rate for people with disabilities in South Carolina, but it will also fit that gap for the need for childcare workers,” Kimberly Tissot, the president and CEO of Able South Carolina. We know that when employers hire people with disabilities, there’s less turnover, meeting a critical need in the field of childcare what the childcare field is needing. Learn more about the bill at the links in the buttons. |
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Able SC Employment Programs We offer a variety of employment programs and initiatives to help people with disabilities achieve their employment goals. Our Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA team works with people who receive social security benefits to help them understand how working may impact their benefits and what work incentives may be available to them. Our employment services include:
- Self-esteem/confidence building to prepare for employment
- Access to benefits counseling
- Career options counseling
- Job search skills (resumes, interviews)
- Workplace skill-building (communicating effectively, workplace etiquette, professional relationships, etc.)
- Job performance support
- Troubleshooting Workplace Issues (including disclosure, accommodations, and advocacy)
- Peer Support
Other employment programs include Hire Me SC, Ticket to Work, SNAP2Work, and SC Disability Employment Coalition. |
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Employers: Take your Commitment to the Next Level
Register for the 9th Annual Employer Summit "Access to Good Jobs for All" One in three South Carolinians has a disability however, 60% of people with disabilities are unemployed. This is a workforce employers can’t afford to miss out on. The Employer Summit is a one-day conference for business managers, executives, and HR professionals ready to hire and retain a workforce inclusive of people with disabilities. The Employer Summit will show businesses how including individuals with disabilities will strengthen their workforce. Early bird registration for individual attendees is open now through June 30th! Register today to get your seat at a $20 discount! When: October 2, 2024 from 10 AM-3 PM Where: Philips Market Center, West Columbia, SC |
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Hire Me SC
720 Gracern Road Suite 106 | Columbia, South Carolina 29210
803.779.5121 | hiremesc@able-sc.org |
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