News  New Reports on Disability Employment in MA State Government & Benefit Cliff Effects

Boston — The Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development’s Department of Economic Research, in collaboration with the Massachusetts Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities, has released two significant reports examining key challenges facing individuals with disabilities in the workforce.

The Report on the Employment of Individuals with Disabilities in Massachusetts State Government analyzes representation, workforce trends, and employment experiences within state agencies. While state government employs a higher percentage of individuals with disabilities than the broader labor market, the report highlights under-reporting of disability status, recruitment barriers for younger workers, and challenges in retaining employees with disabilities.

The Report on Disability Benefit Cliff Effects in Massachusetts explores how increased earnings can result in the loss of critical public benefits, often discouraging workforce participation. The findings highlight the steep financial trade-offs individuals with disabilities face, particularly when navigating SSDI and SSI phase-outs, housing subsidies, and other support programs.

These reports provide valuable data to inform policy discussions and initiatives aimed at improving economic security and employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities in Massachusetts.