Self-Employment and
Work Incentives
Self-employment is
an opportunity for
people with
disabilities to
participate in the
workforce and
achieve economic
self-sufficiency.
For people who
receive Supplemental
Security Income (SSI)
or Social Security
Disability Insurance
(SSDI), Social
Security
work incentives
offer individuals
with disabilities a
financial cushion to
start up a business
and throughout the
life of the
business.
To venture into
self-employment,
individuals need
support and guidance
in areas such as:
-
Understanding
the feasibility
of the business
and the market
demands for
products or
services offered
by the business;
-
Developing a
business plan;
-
Developing a
marketing plan;
-
Understanding
business
financing,
record keeping,
business
accounting
methods, gross
and net earnings
and reporting
income to the
Internal Revenue
Service;
-
Understanding
the impact of
earnings on SSI
or SSDI programs
and using work
incentives.
Self-employed people
with disabilities
who receive SSDI or
SSI must understand
the special factors
and rules that apply
to self-employment
their federal
benefits and work
incentives. These
rules are slightly
different than work
incentives for wage
employment.
