To document your eligibility under the Schedule A hiring authority for persons with disabilities, take the following steps:

1. Consider whether you are likely to qualify for Schedule A.

Federal agencies are encouraged to include a broad range of disabilities in Schedule A eligibility. If you can answer “yes” to any of the questions below, you may be eligible to use Schedule A.

  • Did you register with or receive accommodations through the student disability services office on your college campus?
  • Have you received Supplemental Security Income benefits?
  • Have you been diagnosed with a medical condition that is treated by a mental health professional, such as a learning disability, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, anxiety disorder, etc.?
  • Were you ever identified as needing services through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act?
  • Did you receive services in elementary or high school through an Individualized Education Program or 504 plan?
  • Have you ever received vocational rehabilitation services?
  • Do you fit the definition of an individual with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008 or the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended?

2. Obtain your Schedule A letter.

You will need to obtain a Schedule A letter that states that you are an individual with an intellectual disability, severe physical disability, or psychiatric disability and eligible to be hired through Schedule A. To participate in the Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP), applicants must verify program eligibility by providing a Schedule A letter with their application. The letter should be on official letterhead and signed by a:

  • licensed medical professional, such as a primary care physician, family physician, psychologist, psychiatrist, audiologist, or other specialists;
  • certified rehabilitation professional; or
  • federal, state, District of Columbia, or U.S. territory agency that issues or provides disability benefits, such as the Social Security Administration or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

The Schedule A letter does not need to include your specific disability, medical history, treatment, or need for accommodation. WRP encourages candidates to follow the sample Schedule A letter language as closely as possible.

3. Read about and understand Schedule A and get help if you need it.

Visit the Resources section of the WRP website to get more information about Schedule A. You may also:

  • Read “The ABC’s of Schedule A” available on the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s website.
  • Ask your WRP school coordinator for advice on whom to contact to get your Schedule A letter.

Additional tips for students and recent graduates:

  • Download the sample Schedule A letter.
  • Do not delay in obtaining your Schedule A letter. You will need this letter to participate in and be hired through WRP.
  • Consider obtaining your Schedule A letter from your campus health center.
  • Provide the medical professional writing your Schedule A letter with the sample language to use as a template. This guidance can help ensure the letter is written correctly.
  • In most cases, your school coordinator or disability services staff will not be qualified to sign your Schedule A letter—unless they are a licensed medical professional or vocational rehabilitation professional.
  • Schedule A letters do not expire. However, if you are using an older letter, you should confirm that the contact information for the official who signed the letter is still correct. If not, you may need to acquire a new or updated letter.