People with disabilities

People with disabilities are disproportionately affected by long-term unemployment. For this reason, the Hagen Job Center has a team of specialized professionals who provide individualized and tailored support, training, and job placement services for people with disabilities, those in equivalent situations, and individuals undergoing rehabilitation.

This is because people with disabilities must compete with people without disabilities for new jobs and are often at a disadvantage in the process. Too many companies still assume that they are less capable than people without disabilities.

Here is a brief overview:

Trial employment pursuant to § 46 SGB III

Trial employment is a benefit designed to support employers in hiring people with disabilities, as well as those deemed equivalent to them.

For up to three months, companies can be reimbursed for the costs of temporary trial employment for people with disabilities, people with severe disabilities, and those deemed equivalent to them.

Trial employment is intended to ease the transition to working life for people with disabilities. During the trial period, you as an employer and the employee can get to know each other at a leisurely pace and determine whether you can envision a long-term working relationship. This gives you the opportunity to find a suitable employee for your company without any risk.

If you have any questions, please contact our Job Center’s Rehabilitation/Social Benefits team.

Supported Employment

Supported employment is a program for individuals undergoing vocational rehabilitation and people with disabilities who have special support needs. This program comes into play when other options for promoting integration into the workforce—such as vocational preparation, vocational training, or continuing education—do not appear feasible.

The target group includes:

• People with disabilities ranging from learning disabilities to intellectual disabilities
• People with mental health conditions and/or behavioral challenges.

Integration Subsidy (EGZ-SB)

Despite intensive efforts, it is not always possible to find a job. As an employer, you can receive financial support for people with disabilities as soon as you hire someone who is receiving basic income support from the Hagen Job Center. It is possible that the new employee may not meet 100% of your requirements. However, the Job Center can compensate for any shortfall in performance through the integration subsidy.

The amount and duration of funding are always determined on a case-by-case basis. The funding period can last up to 60 months and may cover up to 70% of the employee’s wages.

People with a severe disability or those deemed equivalent who have reached the age of 55 may even receive funding for up to 96 months.

It is important that you, as the employer, apply for the integration subsidy before the employee begins work.

Your Reha/SB team of specialists is, of course, available to answer any questions you may have.

Internship (MAG)

Selecting suitable employees for your own company is often difficult. Give people with disabilities a chance.

As part of this practical trial, you can assess the suitability and motivation of a person with a disability without obligation and see their abilities for yourself. There are no costs involved; you simply need to inform your workers’ compensation insurer.

Workplace initiatives can also help individuals navigate the job market.

If you are interested in conducting a workplace trial or are looking for suitable employees, please contact us—we would be happy to advise you.

Grants for Setting Up an Accessible Workplace or Training Position

Subsidies are available for making training and workstations accessible to people with disabilities, provided this is necessary to achieve or ensure long-term participation in the workforce. A prerequisite is that employers have no legal obligation to provide such funding.

Funding is available for all work equipment necessary to adapt the workplace to accommodate disabilities, such as computer systems for blind and visually impaired people or special office chairs. Furthermore, costs associated with creating barrier-free access to the work environment may also be funded, such as the installation of an accessible restroom or the construction of ramps for wheelchairs.

Funding can cover up to 100% of the costs. Funding is available for the purchase, maintenance, and upkeep of all measures, as well as for updating work equipment to the state of the art. If training is required to use a technical aid, this may also be funded.

You, as the employer, are responsible for submitting the application. Please feel free to contact our specialized team for people with disabilities: the Rehab Team at the Employment Agency.