This page provides information for workers with disabilities, their families, employers, and advocates about subminimum wage employment under Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
Quick Links
- Apply for a Section 14(c) Certificate
- View Section 14(c) Certificate Holders
- Find your local WHD office
Section 14(c) and WHD's role
The Wage and Hour Division (WHD) promotes and enforces labor standards that protect the nation's workforce. Section 14(c) of the FLSA authorizes employers to pay wages below the federal minimum wage to workers who have disabilities for the work being performed, but only after receiving a certificate from WHD.
Through certificate processing, enforcement, education, and outreach, WHD helps ensure that workers receive the wages they are owed.
WHD also enforces compliance with Section 511 of the Rehabilitation Act, which requires that workers with disabilities receive career counseling and referral services on a regular basis in conjunction with their subminimum wages.
Apply for a Section 14(c) Certificate
Employers must obtain a certificate from WHD to pay workers with disabilities subminimum wages under Section 14(c).
View employers who hold or have applied for a Section 14(c) Certificate.
Use WHD's secure online application to:
- Complete and submit an initial application.
- Renew an existing certificate – You may apply for renewal up to 90 days before your current certificate expires. If you apply on time, your prior certificate remains in effect during WHD's review.
- Receive a PDF copy of your submission and electronic acknowledgement confirmation.
Section 14(c) Wage Calculators
Certificate Withdrawal
To withdraw a certificate, mail a letter on company letterhead including:
- Date you stopped (or will stop) paying subminimum wages
- Reason for withdrawal
- Affected locations
Mail letter to:
U.S. Department of Labor
Wage and Hour Division
230 S. Dearborn Street, Room 530
Chicago, IL 60604
Laws, Regulations, and Guidance
Read the laws, regulations, and guidance materials to help you understand Section 14(c) and Section 511.
General Guidance
- Field Operations Handbook Chapter 64: Employment of Workers with Disabilities at Subminimum Wages under Section 14(c) (PDF)
- Fact Sheets on Section 14(c) and Section 511
Section 511 Field Assistance Bulletins (FAB)
- FAB 2022-4: Enforcement of the Rehabilitation Act Section 511 Requirements for Workers with Disabilities in the Section 14(c) Program (PDF) | June 16, 2022
- FAB 2019-1: WHD Enforcement of WIOA Limitations on Payment of Subminimum Wages under FLSA 14(c) – Section 511's Definition of "Subminimum Wages" | February 15, 2019
- FAB 2016-2: WHD Enforcement of WIOA Limitations on Payment of Subminimum Wages under FLSA Section 14(c) | July 27, 2016
Other Official Guidance
- Questions and Answers on the implementation of the provisions of section 511 of the Rehabilitation Act. RSA/WHD Joint Questions and Answers | April 8, 2021
- Administrator's Interpretation 2016-2: Effect of state laws prohibiting the payment of subminimum wages to workers with disabilities on the enforcement of Section 14(c) of the FLSA (PDF)
- Fact Sheet: Raising The Minimum Wage for Workers with Disabilities under Executive Order 13658
Posters
-
Special Minimum Wage Poster (English)
- Cartel de Sueldos Mínimos Especiales (español)
Letters to Certificate Holders
- July 14, 2025 – Withdrawal of proposed rule, update on certificate processing, website redesign (PDF)
- December 23, 2024 – Proposed rule to cease issuing new certificates, provides updated compliance materials, and encourages public comments on the proposal (PDF)
- August 9, 2019 – Launch of online application system, transitions to electronic communications, outlines changes in certificate issuance, and emphasizes compliance (PDF)
- February 9, 2017 – New application forms require expanded employee-level data and reflect updated compliance obligations under WIOA (PDF)
- July 27, 2016 – WIOA limits subminimum wages by requiring career counseling for all workers and specific documentation for youth under 25 hired after Jul 22, 2016 (PDF)
- March 21, 2016 – Outlines WHD's enforcement of Section 14(c) through compliance assistance and investigations, detailing the process for certificate revocation due to violations or misrepresentations (PDF)*
- August 21, 2015 – Proposed revisions to Section 14(c) application forms WH-226 and WH-226A to reflect evolving disability employment policies and solicited public comments on the changes (PDF)
- April 24, 2015 – Introduces online calculators for subminimum wage calculations, provides training resources, announces nationwide compliance seminars, and highlights relevant laws (PDF)
* NOTICE: On March 14, 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order 14236, "Additional Rescissions of Harmful Executive Orders and Actions," (90 FR 13037), which revoked, among other items, Executive Order 14026 of April 27, 2021, "Increasing the Minimum Wage for Federal Contractors" (86 FR 22835). Pursuant to section 2(d) of Executive Order 14236, the Department of Labor is no longer enforcing Executive Order 14026 or the implementing rule (29 CFR part 23) and will take steps, including rescinding 29 CFR part 23, to implement and effectuate the revocation of Executive Order 14026.
Outreach and Education Materials
- Worker Rights Card: Rights For Workers with Disabilities - Section 14(c) and Subminimum Wage Employment (PDF)
- Worker Referral Card: Section 14(c) and Subminimum Wage Employment (PDF)
- Section 14(c) PowerPoint Presentation
- Webinar: Information Requirements for Workers under Section 14(c) – Understanding Section 511
Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP)
The Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy's mission is to develop and influence policies and practices that increase the number and quality of employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
Key Updates and Guidance
Stay informed about significant updates, enforcement policies, and reporting related to Section 14(c). This includes executive actions compliance bulletins, and data submitted to Congress.
July 7, 2025 – The Department of Labor published a notice in the Federal Register to withdraw the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), Employment of Workers with Disabilities Under Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act, published in December 2024. As explained in the new notice, the Department has discontinued the rulemaking process and removed the proposal from further consideration.
March 14, 2025 – President Trump issued Executive Order 14236, "Additional Rescissions of Harmful Executive Orders and Actions," (90 FR 13037), which revoked, among other items, Executive Order 14026 of April 27, 2021, "Increasing the Minimum Wage for Federal Contractors" (86 FR 22835). Pursuant to section 2(d) of Executive Order 14236, the Department of Labor is no longer enforcing Executive Order 14026 or the implementing rule (29 CFR part 23) and will take steps, including rescinding 29 CFR part 23, to implement and effectuate the revocation of Executive Order 14026.
Since 2020, the Wage and Hour Division reports to Congress on Section 14(c) certificate data.
- 2024: FY24 Report to Congress (PDF) | Oct 2024 Certificate Data (XLS)
- 2023: FY23 Report to Congress (PDF) | Oct 2023 Certificate Data (XLS)
- 2022: FY22 Report to Congress (PDF) | Oct 2022 Certificate Data (XLS)
- 2021: FY21 Report to Congress (PDF) | Oct 2021 Certificate Data (XLS)
- 2020: FY20 Report to Congress (PDF) | Oct 2020 Certificate Data (XLS)
Need Help?
Do you have a question about subminimum wages or think that your employer may not be paying you fairly? Contact the Wage and Hour Division office nearest you.
Last updated on July 14, 2025.