Senator Bob Casey announces a proposed rule to end the subminimum wage for disabled workers
U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), chairman of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, unveiled a new Biden administration proposal aimed at eliminating the subminimum wage for people with disabilities. Under current regulations, certain employers can obtain certification to pay disabled employees below the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. This practice primarily affects workers with intellectual and developmental disabilities, often resulting in wages of less than $3.50 per hour.
The proposed rule seeks to eliminate these certifications, ending a practice that Senator Casey described as “embarrassing” and “discriminatory.” “Every worker deserves a fair wage, and Americans with disabilities are no exception,” Casey said, highlighting the movement toward fair treatment and financial independence for disabled workers.
Senator Casey has been a vocal advocate in Congress for ending the subminimum wage, hosting a hearing in February where he presented examples of employers paying fair wages to disabled workers. Additionally, in 2022, he encouraged the Biden administration to allocate $177 million to 14 states to support the transition of subminimum wage certificates.
