Schedule A Provides People with Disabilities A Fast Track to Federal Employment

February 24, 2012

If you have a disability and are interested in working for the U.S. government, you should know about Schedule A, a Federal hiring initiative sponsored by the Office of Personnel Management. Schedule A helps make the hiring process easier for people with disabilities. Schedule A jobs have a shorter interview process and offer quicker on-site job placement.

You can have an exciting job, earn good wages, and receive medical benefits as a Federal employee. Schedule A is a win for people who have a disability and the employers who hire them. Read further to learn more about Schedule A.

Schedule A Fast Facts for People Who Have a Disability

The Schedule A hiring process allows federal agencies to interview, hire and/or promote people with disabilities without going through the “normal competitive process” required when applying for jobs online through www.usajobs.gov.

Schedule A benefits you by providing a connection between you and the employer.

Schedule A provides shorter interviews and job placement more quickly without you having to go through long traditional government interview processes.

To be eligible for Schedule A, you must have a disability that falls into one of three categories:

Intellectual
Severe physical
Psychiatric

Jobs posted on www.usajobs.gov will not be searchable or categorized as Schedule A jobs.

To find jobs, you should review job vacancy announcements posted on www.usajobs.gov and submit resumes for positions that are of interest. Please note, you can contact a Special Placement Coordinator(s) in the agency for which you wish to work for help.

Special Placement Coordinator(s) are people at each agency who understand Schedule A and are trained to assist people with disabilities. They will help you navigate the agency's interview and hiring process.

To be eligible for Schedule A, you must show “proof of your disability” and “certification of job readiness.” You can refer to this as the "Schedule A Letter."

The "Schedule A Letter" can come from licensed medical professionals (e.g., your doctor), vocational rehabilitation (VR) specialists, and Federal or State agencies that issue or provide disability benefits. The same professional can also provide a letter certifying you are job ready.
Certification of job readiness is determined through the letter from your benefits provider, your resume, as well as during your interview.

Once you find a job and apply, let the agency know you are eligible for Schedule A by sending your resume with an attached copy of your "Schedule A Letter" and your certification of job readiness.

If you are selected, you will be interviewed in a timely manner and placed in the job if your skills and qualifications meet the requirements of the agency.

Start building your future today! To learn more about Schedule A, read The ABCs of Schedule A.

No matter what kind of job you are looking for, a service provider can help. Learn more about Ticket to Work and how it can lead to a good job, a good career, and a better self-supporting future. Visit www.socialsecurity.gov/work, email us at support@chooseworkttw.net, or call our Ticket to Work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842 or 1-866-833-2967 (TTY/TDD).