Self-Employment PASS

A PASS plan is not just for wage earners and employees. It can be a great planning tool if you are self-employed or want to start your own business. Here are some things to keep in mind:

• A PASS plan is limited to paying for start-up costs that occur within the first 18 months of your business.
• You must submit a complete business plan with your PASS application form.

For help with a business plan, you can talk to someone from:

• SCORE, a nonprofit association that offers education and mentorship to help small businesses get off the ground
• The Small Business Administration (SBA)
• A Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
• The Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO)

These agencies often offer free classes on creating business plans. They might also be able to review your plan.

You might also get help from a vocational rehabilitation counselor, business planner, your local chamber of commerce or bank, and local departments of employment and training.

Note: It is important to complete your business plan and financial planning before you begin your PASS application. This will make things a lot simpler when it’s time to answer PASS application questions.