Answer:
There are very few grant programs that give money
to individuals. Instead, many who start small businesses rely on
personal savings, loans from family members, or micro-enterprise
loans. Your local Small Business Development Center can help find
financing, but the rates on these high risk loans can be high. For
many folks with disabilities, going into debt is just not an option.
So we recommend blending funds. Possible sources include one or
more of the following:
Social
Security Work Incentives such as Plans for Achieving Self Support
-
For
assistance with a PASS or a Benefits Analysis, contact your
local Benefits Planning Assistance & Outreach (BPAO)
office. Find a listing of their offices.
State
Vocational Rehabilitation offices can and do fund self employment.
Set up a meeting with a counselor to discuss your ideas and
support needs.
Local
Developmental Disability and Mental Health Centers can assist
enrolled customers through state general funds and in some instance,
Medicaid dollars.
Schools
can use their Special Education funding to support student-owned
businesses that teach valuable work skills and that incubate
a business idea so that upon graduation the student is not left
unemployed.
Local
Workforce Center (commonly referred to as a One-Stop Center)
can also fund self employment using Intensive Services money
provided under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998. Most of
these funds can be combined to support business ventures.
*
- The VCU-BARC Self-Employment & Social Security Pages
have been developed in conjunction with Griffin-Hammis
Associates, LLC. The contents do not necessarily represent
the policy, interpretations or opinion of the Social Security Administration
(SSA). The information contained here is intended to inform readers
of issues that may affect Social Security and/or other public assistance
benefits. Because individual circumstances differ, the reader should
not rely on any information here as being specifically applicable
to an individual's situation. Readers are encouraged to contact
a BPAO benefits specialist to discuss her or his specific situation.
