Can You Have a Side Job While Working in Disability Employment? 8 Recommended Side Jobs!

Some individuals employed under disability employment may be considering, "I want to do a side job to increase my income!"

However, many people are unsure about what kind of work suits them when starting a side job.

Additionally, depending on company policies and work styles, there are cases where side jobs are prohibited.

Even with a disability, it is quite possible to earn several tens of thousands of yen a month through side jobs. Options such as web writing, data entry, home programming, and handmade sales are expanding, allowing individuals to work from home according to their health and disability characteristics, thereby stabilizing their lives while balancing disability pensions and employment.

However, there are cautionary points that could lead to trouble later if you start without knowing them, such as cases where side jobs are prohibited under employment regulations for disabled persons, the need for tax filing if side job income exceeds 200,000 yen annually, and potential impacts on disability pension payments.

This time, we will introduce 8 recommended side jobs for people with disabilities, along with tips and methods for finding side jobs.

1. Check if you can do a side job under disability employment by reviewing company regulations

First, before starting a side job, consider whether your current company allows side jobs.

Recently, more companies are allowing side jobs, but there are still many that prohibit them.

For example, public servants are generally prohibited from side jobs under the National Public Service Act and Local Public Service Act, with some exceptions.

In general companies, whether side jobs are allowed is determined by the "employment regulations."

Therefore, if you want to check if your company allows side jobs, first review the employment regulations.

Also, some companies that allow side jobs may require prior application and approval, so be sure to check.

It can be challenging to determine if there is no mention of side jobs in the employment regulations.

In such cases, you may want to confirm with your supervisor or company, but it might be difficult depending on the company culture and atmosphere.

However, if there is no mention in the employment regulations, it means it's not prohibited, so as long as it doesn't cause any disadvantage or hindrance to the company, you can proceed with a side job without confirmation.

Reference: Can 'Side Job Prohibition' be Stipulated in Employment Regulations? What are the Disadvantages if Not Stated?｜Business Support

2. Employment transition support for people with disabilities generally prohibits side jobs

In employment transition support, side jobs are generally prohibited.

The reason is that employment transition support is a welfare service aimed at those who find general employment difficult.

Therefore, if you are able to work in a side job, you are not considered a target for the service, and you will not be able to use employment transition support.

However, depending on the judgment of the municipality or business office, there are cases where side jobs or part-time jobs are allowed, so it is best to confirm with the employment transition support office you are attending beforehand.

3. Your company will find out if you have a side job!

Many people would prefer to keep their side jobs hidden from their company.

However, there are unexpected ways in which your side job might be discovered.

Let's discuss the causes of side jobs being discovered and the risks involved when they are found out.

3-1. Changes in resident tax amount due to side job income

If you earn income from a side job, resident tax is added according to your income.

Resident tax is a type of local tax used to operate educational and welfare services by local governments.

Resident tax is generally calculated based on the income from the previous year and consists of an income-based portion and a fixed portion.

Therefore, if you have a side job and your income increases, the amount of resident tax changes.

For salaried employees, resident tax is often paid by the company, which could lead to the company discovering your side job.

However, there is a "self-assessment" option for resident tax, allowing you to pay it without going through your company.

By choosing self-assessment, you can reduce the risk of your company discovering your side job.

3-2. Leaks by third parties

If you tell your colleagues about your side job, there is a possibility it might get discovered.

For example, you might confide in a close colleague at work about your side job.

However, that colleague could inadvertently reveal to your supervisor or company that you have a side job.

No matter how trustworthy a colleague is, it's best not to discuss your side job.

Additionally, you never know who might overhear conversations at work.

Such third-party information leaks are common causes of side jobs being discovered, so be cautious.

3-3. What happens if a side job is discovered in a company that prohibits them?

If you are working in a company under disability employment that prohibits side jobs and your side job is discovered, what happens?

Firstly, there are generally no legal penalties if your side job is discovered by the company.

Companies cannot restrict employees' time outside of working hours, so using personal time for a side job is not inherently problematic.

However, if you are doing a side job during your main job's working hours or leaking important company information through your side job, you may face penalties such as pay cuts or dismissal.

If your side job is discovered in a company that prohibits them, it is advisable to honestly explain the situation to your supervisor.

4. 8 Recommended Side Jobs for People Working Under Disability Employment

The common feature of the recommended side jobs for people working under disability employment that we will introduce is that they can all be done online.

Online side jobs are attractive because they allow you to work freely without being bound by time like part-time jobs.

Let's look at 8 recommended side jobs for people with disabilities.

4-1. Selling on Flea Market Apps

One of the easiest ways to earn extra income without special skills is by selling items on flea market sites like Mercari or Yahoo Auctions.

You can earn extra income by listing and selling unwanted items from your home.

Additionally, you can sell handmade items or products you've sourced yourself.

Recently, services like BASE allow you to create your own online shop, enabling you to sell from home.

4-2. Income from Blogs or YouTube

The main sources of income from blogs or YouTube are AdSense ads and affiliate ads.

AdSense ads generate revenue by placing ads on your blog or YouTube channel and earning from clicks or video views.

Affiliate ads involve promoting products on your blog or YouTube channel, and earning revenue when users make purchases.

Both methods allow you to proceed at your own pace, but it takes time to start earning, and you need to continuously update articles or videos.

4-3. Web Writer

A web writer creates and submits articles to clients based on requested themes.

Web writer compensation is typically determined by the number of yen per character or per article, and it varies based on the volume of writing.

The rate per character or article varies depending on the content, with specialized topics often set at higher rates.

It's recommended for those who are good at writing and thinking, as you can earn from home through writing.

4-4. Programming

Programming involves creating programs for apps or software.

For example, smartphone apps and computer software function through programming.

Programming is a job that involves using programming languages like PHP or Java to control programs.

The IT industry is currently experiencing a shortage of personnel, increasing the demand for engineers and programmers.

Programming can be self-taught, but it is a highly specialized field, so you can also learn it at vocational training schools or employment transition support offices.

4-5. Video Editing

Video editing involves tasks like shortening footage or adding captions and music to videos.

Unlike programming, it has fewer specialized terms, making it more accessible.

There are both paid and free video editing software options, with paid ones offering more detailed editing capabilities.

Popular editing software includes Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro X.

While you can edit videos on a smartphone, for starting as a side job, a computer with a Core i7 or higher specification is recommended.

4-6. Illustrator

An illustrator sells illustrations or draws them on request.

Illustration sales involve posting on sites like Illustration AC or PIXTA and earning income through downloads.

You can also receive requests from companies or individuals to draw illustrations.

Illustration sales allow you to post at your own pace, making it a recommended side job.

4-7. Data Entry and Transcription

Data entry involves entering data according to a format, while transcription involves listening to and typing out spoken content from meetings or interviews.

Anyone who can type on a computer can do these tasks, making them accessible even for beginners.

As long as you meet the deadline, you can work at your own pace, but be careful of typos and conversion errors.

4-8. Monetizing Audio Streaming Apps

Audio streaming apps are a recent trend where you can earn money with just your voice, without showing your face.

You can earn income through "tips" from listeners.

Recommended audio streaming apps include the following three:

• Spoon
• HAKUNA
• Voice Pococha
  
  

All three have tipping features and a large number of registered users, making it easier to gain fans.

Audio streaming offers various genres such as chatting, game commentary, and singing, allowing you to entertain listeners with content that leverages your strengths.

5. How to Find Side Jobs for People with Disabilities

The most important aspect of starting a side job is how to find work.

Many people may want to do a side job but are unsure how to find opportunities.

While you can earn using specific sites or apps for flea markets or audio streaming, for others like web writing, video editing, or programming, you first need to find clients.

Here are some recommended ways to find clients:

• Find projects on crowdsourcing platforms
• Search on social media
• Get referrals from friends or acquaintances
  
  

Crowdsourcing platforms connect people who want to outsource work with those looking for work online.

Popular crowdsourcing platforms include CrowdWorks and Lancers.

On social media, you can search for "programmer wanted" on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram and negotiate directly via DM to secure projects.

Additionally, you might edit a friend's wedding video as a way to gain experience.

For technical side jobs, building a track record is crucial, so it's recommended to steadily complete projects.

6. Important Points and Precautions for People with Disabilities Doing Side Jobs

6-1. Avoid Side Jobs That Affect Your Main Job

Side jobs are a form of work that only exist because you have a main job.

Therefore, it's best to avoid side jobs that interfere with your main job.

For example, if you have just started a new job under disability employment and are not yet accustomed to it, focus on your main job first.

Once you can handle your main job to some extent and have some leeway, that's the best time to start a side job.

Also, doing a side job during your main job's working hours is obviously off-limits.

When starting a side job, carefully consider whether it will interfere with your main job.

6-2. Clearly Define Why You Want to Do a Side Job

While most people start a side job to "earn more income," it's helpful to set a more specific purpose or goal.

For example, consider purposes or goals like "gaining experience for skill development" or "wanting more people to see my work" through a side job.

This will help you identify the types of side jobs that align with your interests and strengths.

6-3. Do Side Jobs Without Affecting Your Health

Since side jobs are done during personal time, it's important to pay attention to health management.

Especially for people with disabilities, there is a tendency to tire easily, and a regular lifestyle is necessary.

If you fall ill, you won't be able to do either your side job or main job, which is counterproductive.

Therefore, when doing side jobs, people with disabilities should maintain their existing lifestyle rhythm and avoid working in a way that cuts into sleep time.

6-4. Prioritize Enjoyment Over Earning in Side Jobs

Many people start side jobs to earn money, but in most cases, it takes time to start earning significantly.

Additionally, when you're inexperienced, the pay may be low compared to the effort, and you may not earn as much as expected.

By focusing on "enjoyment" or "helping others" rather than just earning, you can maintain motivation and continue with your side job.

Continuity is important for building skills and experience, so it's recommended to have motivations beyond just earning.

7. Q&A About Side Jobs for People with Disabilities

7-1. Can You Do a Side Job While Receiving Disability Pension?

There is no income limit for the disability welfare pension, so doing a side job is not a problem.

Therefore, you can receive a disability pension while doing a side job.

However, as an exception, for the disability basic pension for those who incurred a disability before the age of 20, there are payment restrictions based on the previous year's income.

• If the previous year's income exceeds 4,721,000 yen, the entire payment is suspended
• If the previous year's income exceeds 3,704,000 yen, half of the pension amount is suspended
  
  

Note that if you have dependents, the income amount is increased, so it is more lenient than the above amounts. For detailed information, check the Japan Pension Service website.

Reference: Payment Restrictions for Disability Basic Pension Due to Illness Before Age 20｜Japan Pension Service

For information on whether you can be included in a dependent while receiving a disability pension, see the following article.

Reference:

7-2. Is Tax Filing Required for Side Job Income?

Tax filing for side job income is required if the income exceeds 200,000 yen.

The 200,000 yen amount refers to the figure after deducting expenses from sales.

For example, even if sales were 250,000 yen, if expenses such as seminar participation or purchases for the side job were 60,000 yen, the income would be 190,000 yen, so tax filing is not necessary.

However, if the income is below 200,000 yen and you do not file a tax return, a separate resident tax declaration is required.

Additionally, even if the side job income is small, filing with the tax office may result in tax refunds.

If you want to know more about tax filing for people with disabilities, refer to the following article.

Reference:

7-3. How to Acquire Skills for Side Jobs?

Many side jobs can be started without experience, but having skills or qualifications can lead to better compensation.

Additionally, skills acquired through side jobs can be applied to your main job.

To acquire skills for side jobs, you can attend private schools or vocational training centers (Hello Work), which offer general public vocational development schools as well as "vocational development schools for people with disabilities."

Reference:

8. Other Options Besides Side Jobs for People with Disabilities: Aiming for Career and Income Growth

While covering income through side jobs is an option for people with disabilities to earn more, aiming for career and income growth is also recommended.

With side jobs, there are cases where they affect your main job, often resulting in a half-hearted approach to both.

By focusing on your main job, you can aim for income growth without overexerting yourself.

However, some may not know how to advance their career and increase their income in their main job.

In such cases, we recommend RESTA Career, an online school specializing in people with disabilities, provided by RESTA Corporation.

RESTA Career offers an online school specializing in people with disabilities, allowing you to acquire skills useful in business without strain.

Additionally, by intentionally having people with disabilities bear the learning costs, it creates a serious learning environment.

It's appealing that you can earn a salary while learning, with an average hourly wage of 1,200 yen.

In disability employment, it is an ideal school where you can gain knowledge and earn a salary simultaneously.

For more information about RESTA Career, see the following article.

Reference:

9. Conclusion

This time, we have shared recommended side jobs for people with disabilities and how to find work.

Side jobs not only increase income but also allow for a flexible work style that utilizes skills from your main job or hobbies.

However, when people with disabilities do side jobs, it's important to prioritize health and continue enjoyably without overexertion.

Why not challenge yourself with a side job that seems to suit you and expand your opportunities?