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

For those working under disability employment, some may be thinking, "I want to do side jobs 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 may be cases where side jobs are prohibited.

Even with a disability, it is quite possible to earn several tens of thousands of yen per month through side jobs. Options that can be done at home according to your health and disability characteristics, such as web writing, data entry, home programming, and handmade sales, are expanding, allowing more people to stabilize their lives while balancing disability pensions and disability employment.

However, there are precautions to be aware of, such as cases where side jobs are prohibited by the employment regulations for disabled persons, the need for tax returns if side job income exceeds 200,000 yen annually, and the potential impact on disability pension payments, which could lead to trouble if you start without knowing.

This time, we will introduce 8 recommended side jobs for people with disabilities and explain the precautions and ways to find side jobs.

1. Check the company's employment regulations to see if you can do side jobs under disability employment

First, before starting a side job, consider whether your company allows side jobs in the first place.

Recently, more companies are allowing side jobs, but there are still many companies 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 whether your company allows side jobs, first look at the employment regulations.

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

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

In this case, you may want to check with your boss or company, but it might be challenging depending on the company culture and atmosphere.

However, if there is no mention in the employment regulations, it means it is not prohibited, so as long as it does not cause any disadvantage or hindrance to the company, you can do side jobs without confirmation.

Reference: Can you prohibit side jobs in employment regulations? What are the disadvantages if not mentioned?｜Startup Support

2. Employment transition support for people with disabilities is generally prohibited from side jobs

In employment transition support, side jobs are generally prohibited.

The reason is that employment transition support is a welfare service for those who find it difficult to work in general employment.

Therefore, if you can work in a side job, you are considered not to be 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 check with the employment transition support office you attend beforehand.

3. The company will find out if you are doing a side job!

Ideally, you would want to keep your side job hidden from your company.

However, there are cases where your side job might be unexpectedly discovered.

Here, let's discuss the causes of side jobs being discovered and the risks if they are found out.

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

If you earn income from a side job, resident tax corresponding to the income will be added.

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 previous year's income and a fixed amount.

Therefore, if you do a side job and your income increases, the amount of resident tax will change.

For company employees, resident tax is often paid by the company, so there is a possibility that the company will find out about your side job.

However, there is a "normal collection" method for resident tax that allows you to pay without going through the company.

By choosing normal collection, you can reduce the risk of your company finding out about your side job.

3-2. Leaks by third parties

If you tell a colleague at work that you are doing a side job, there is a possibility that it will be discovered.

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

However, that colleague might leak to your boss or company that you are doing a side job.

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

Also, you never know who might overhear conversations within the company.

Thus, there are often cases where side jobs are discovered through third-party information, so be cautious.

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

If a company employing people with disabilities prohibits side jobs and it is discovered that you are doing one, what happens?

First of all, even if a side job is discovered by the company, there are no legal penalties.

In the first place, the company cannot control the employee's time outside of working hours, so it is not inherently a problem to use private time for side jobs.

However, if you are doing a side job during working hours or leaking important company information through your side job, you may be subject to penalties such as pay cuts or dismissal.

If a side job is discovered in a company that prohibits it, it is recommended to honestly explain the situation to your boss.

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

The common point of the side jobs recommended for people working under disability employment that we will introduce is that all can 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 take a look at 8 recommended side jobs for people with disabilities.

4-1. Selling on Flea Market Apps

Even without special skills, you can sell 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 list handmade items or products you have sourced.

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 involve placing ads on your blog or YouTube channel, and you earn revenue from clicks or video views.

Affiliate ads involve promoting products on your blog or YouTube channel, and you earn revenue when users make a purchase.

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 writes and submits articles to clients based on requested themes.

The compensation for web writers is generally determined by the number of words or per article basis, and it varies depending on the amount of writing.

The word rate or article rate varies depending on the content, with more specialized content being priced higher.

You can earn money from home by writing, so it's recommended for those who are good at writing or thinking.

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 uses programming languages like PHP or Java to control programs.

The IT industry is currently facing a shortage of engineers and programmers, increasing demand.

While programming can be self-taught, it is a highly specialized field, so you can also learn 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, there are fewer specialized terms, making it easier to start.

There are both paid and free video editing software, but paid ones allow for more detailed editing.

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

While you can edit videos on a smartphone, if you are 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 illustrations upon request.

Illustration sales can be done by posting on sites like Illustration AC or PIXTA, earning income when downloaded.

Alternatively, you can 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, and transcription involves listening to and typing out content from meetings or interviews.

Anyone who can type on a computer can do these tasks, making them easy side jobs 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 using only 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 a tipping feature and a large number of registered users, making it easy to gain fans.

In audio streaming, there are various genres such as chatting, game commentary, and singing, so you can entertain listeners with broadcasts that utilize 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 side jobs but are unsure how to find them.

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 need to find clients first.

Here are some recommended methods to find clients:

• Find projects on crowdsourcing platforms
• Find them on social media
• Get introduced by friends or acquaintances
  
  

Crowdsourcing is a platform that connects people who want to request work with those looking for work online.

Popular crowdsourcing platforms include CrowdWorks and Lancers.

On social media, you can search for "programmer recruitment" on X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram and communicate via direct messages to potentially secure projects.

Additionally, you can edit videos for a friend's wedding as a way to gain experience.

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

6. 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 neglect 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 are able to handle your main job to some extent and have more time, that's the best time to start a side job.

Also, doing side jobs during your main job's working hours is obviously forbidden.

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

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

While the main reason for starting a side job is likely "to earn more income," it's good to set a more specific purpose or goal.

For example, consider goals or objectives through side jobs like "gaining experience for skill improvement" or "wanting more people to see my work".

By doing so, you should be able to see the types of side jobs that align with what you want to do or are good at.

6-3. Do Side Jobs Without Affecting Your Health

Since side jobs are done by cutting into your private time, it's important to pay attention to health management.

Especially for people with disabilities, there is a tendency to get tired easily, and a regular lifestyle is required.

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

Therefore, when people with disabilities do side jobs, they should maintain their existing lifestyle rhythm and avoid working in ways that cut 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.

Additionally, when inexperienced, the pay is often low for the effort, and it may not be as profitable as expected.

For side jobs, it's more sustainable to focus on "enjoyment" or "helping someone" rather than just earning.

Building skills and experience is important for continuity, 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 are no income restrictions for disability welfare pensions, so there is no problem doing a side job.

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

However, as an exception, for those who incurred a disability before the age of 20, there are payment restrictions on the disability basic pension 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
  
  

If you have dependents, the income amount is added, so the above amounts are relaxed. For detailed information, please check the Japan Pension Service website.

Reference: Payment restrictions on disability basic pension due to illness before the age of 20｜Japan Pension Service

For information on entering into a dependent status while receiving a disability pension, please see the following article.

Reference:

7-2. Is a Tax Return Required for Income from Side Jobs?

A tax return is required for side job income if the income amount exceeds 200,000 yen.

The 200,000 yen amount here is the figure after deducting expenses from sales.

For example, even if sales were 250,000 yen, if you spent 60,000 yen on seminar participation or purchases for the side job, the income amount would be 190,000 yen, so a tax return is not necessary.

However, if the income amount 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, you may receive a tax refund by declaring it to the tax office.

If you want to know more about tax returns for people with disabilities, please refer to the article below.

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 at public employment security offices (Hello Work), which include "vocational training schools for people with disabilities" in addition to general public vocational development schools.

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 it affects your main job, resulting in half-hearted efforts in both.

By focusing on your main job, you can aim for a salary increase without overexerting yourself.

However, some may not understand 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 scenes without strain.

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

It is attractive that you can earn a salary while learning, with an average wage of 1,200 yen per hour.

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

For more details about RESTA Career, please refer to the following article.

Reference:

9. Conclusion

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

Side jobs not only increase income but also allow you to work freely by utilizing your main job skills or hobbies.

However, when people with disabilities do side jobs, it is important to prioritize health and continue enjoying them without overexertion.

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