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| Self-Employment
& Social Security |
Protocol
for BPAO Services
It
is important that you have an idea of what your role will be as
the Benefits Specialist, what other expert resources exist to help
in self-employment matters, and your protocol for handling the self-employment
cases. The follow is an example of procedures, developed and utilized
by the Dan Wittwer with Life Plan Trust in North Carolina, for when
an SSDI beneficiary or SSI recipient requests assistance with self-employment/PASS
Plan.
- The
initial service provided by the Benefits Specialist will be
the SSDI or SSI intake and general information session.
This will include covering Life Plan Trust fact sheets on SSDI,
SSI, Medicare, Medicaid, Impacts of Earnings on Benefits, and
an overview of work incentives. In addition to the consumer,
others who may be appropriate attendees at this session include
family members and case manager/support team staff.
- A
session geared specifically to the consumer’s benefits
and applicable Social Security policy and provisions information
will be conducted, This will be the initial phase of the benefits
analysis. I n addition to information directly from Social
Security, the book Social Security Considerations for Small
Business Owners with Disabilities and the book Making Self-Employment
Work by Griffin-Hammis will be used extensively as a resource
in providing specific aspects of self-employment as related
to Social Security benefits. Specific information about the
PASS Plan and business plan requirements will be discussed.
- It
will be clearly stated that the Benefits Specialist does not
write business plans; the consumer will be given a list of resources
that will assist with the business plan. The consumer will
be advised that a business plan must first be in draft form
before the initiation of PASS plan development as so much of
the PASS Plan depends upon the specifics of the business plan.
In addition to the consumer, other attendees at this session
may include family members and case manager/support team staff.
- If
the consumer is a VR client, then a contact (with release forms
signed) will be made with VR to provide initial discussion of
the consumer’s interest in self-employment.
- With
a signed release form the Benefits Specialist will contact that
business expert resource and provide any necessary benefits
analysis and considerations regarding Social Security benefits
and requirements for the business plan and PASS Plan. If
the consumer decides to pursue the development of a business
plan, the consumer will advise the Benefits Specialist of the
business expert resource which will be assisting in that process.
It is recommended that a meeting between the consumer, the business
expert, and the benefits specialist be conducted early on in
the process. It is necessary that this connection between the
business plan and the benefits analysis and considerations of
the Social Security benefits be made. At any time during the
development of the business plan, there may be a request for
advisement related to Social Security issues and considerations
by either the consumer or the business expert assisting with
the business plan. Ensure VR involvement when they are also
planning services that will assist with the self-employment.
- If
the consumer is a VR client, then a discussion between VR, the
consumer and the Benefits Specialist is indicated to coordinate
aspects of the business plan and the PASS Plan development.
Then any VR services for the business start up and considerations
of those services in relation to Social Security provisions
and benefits needs to also be discussed with the business expert.
- With
the completion of the draft of the business plan, the Benefits
Specialist may proceed with assistance for the development of
the PASS Plan. And if VR services are part of the business
plan and PASS Plan, the consumer needs to understand the services
of and responsibilities to each program.
- With
the completion of the business plan and PASS Plan, both will
be forwarded to the PASS Cadre for review and decision.
- Once
a PASS Plan is approved for self-employment it is advisable
to have contacts every 90 days to determine status. Problems
and issues raised would be referred to the appropriate business
and technical expert. In some instances the problems may be
specific to Social Security and may need to be addressed to
the PASS Cadre or to the local Social Security office.
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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.
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