Veterans with disabilities seeking employment in New York State should be aware of Governor Cuomo's Programs to Hire Persons/Veterans with Disabilities, also known as the "55-c Program." Section 55-c of the New York State Civil Service Law allows the Civil Service Commission to fill up to 500 entry-level state employment positions with qualified disabled wartime veterans.  

 

These positions would normally be filled through a competitive examination process, but for qualified 55-c applicants, no written or oral examinations are required. However, a medical evaluation may be necessary to certify eligibility for the program.  

 

Wartime veterans" refers to veterans of any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces who served full-time active duty during a designated time of war. These designated periods are:   

• Vietnam War: February 28, 1961 - May 7, 1975
• Persian Gulf Conflict: August 2, 1990 - the date upon which such hostilities end
• Hostilities in Lebanon: June 1, 1983 - December 1, 1987
• Hostilities in Grenada: October 23, 1983 - November 21, 1983  
• Hostilities in Panama: December 20, 1989 - January 31, 1990

Eligibility for the program also requires that the applicant have a disability certified by the Employee Health Service (EHS) of the Department of Civil Service. The veteran may be required to undergo a no-cost physical examination by an EHS physician or an outside consultant. The disability need not be service-related in order for the veteran to qualify. Recipients of Purple Heart medals and those who have been assigned a disability rating of at least 20 percent by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs automatically qualify for the program.  

 

Disabled veterans seeking State employment are encouraged to apply for 55-c eligibility. Click here to download an application or call the NY Department of Civil Service toll-free at 866-297-4356 if you have any questions.