Section 17b-653-20 - Self-employment services(a) The bureau may provide services to individuals for the development of self-employment or a small business enterprise under the following conditions: (1) A business plan shall be developed by the client and approved by a Connecticut Small Business Development Center as an economically viable proposal. In lieu of the Small Business Development Center, an alternative small business resource that is acceptable to both the bureau and the client may be used. The bureau may provide self-employment services without such approval where the director or his/her designee determine that, in his/her opinion, there is clear and convincing evidence that the business is likely to be successful within a reasonable period of time. In such cases, the client shall bear the burden of proving the likelihood of the success of the business.(2) Before providing any services under an employment plan to achieve an employment outcome of self-employment, the bureau shall approve both the employment outcome and the business plan. The bureau may disapprove a business plan where it determines that the employment outcome is not feasible, as a result of: (A) the earning potential of the business; or(B) inconsistency with the client's strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, or informed choice.(3) The limits of the bureau's contribution toward the establishment of a small business, excluding training costs and excluding any needed costs for vehicle or work site modifications necessitated by the individual's disability, shall be as follows: (A) ten thousand dollars, in cases where the net income that the business is projected to generate after two or more years in operation following the anticipated completion of services is at or above the amount recognized by the Social Security Administration as substantial gainful activity;(B) five thousand dollars, in cases where the net income the business is projected to generate after two or more years in operation following the anticipated completion of services is less than substantial gainful activity level, as determined by the Social Security Administration.(4) Clients will be required to make a contribution toward the self-employment venture, in cash, materials, or in-kind labor, in an amount valued at no less than ten percent of the bureau's contribution as defined in subsection (a)(3) of this section. Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, the bureau may deny the provision of self-employment services in cases where the client will not fulfill their responsibility under this subdivision.(b) Self-employment services may include start-up services and goods such as business consultants, bookkeeping, advertising, initial stocks, insurance, permits, fees, equipment, supplies, rent, utilities, transportation, telephone, and postage.(c) If a bureau representative determines that there are circumstances in an individual case that warrant an exception to the provisions in subsection (a)(4) or the cost limits established in subsections (a)(3)(A) or (a)(3)(B) of this section, a full explanation and justification shall be presented to the director or his/her designee for consideration. The director may grant an exception in such cases as he/she determines that: (1) client hardship requires such exception; and(2) without such exception, there are no viable alternatives that would allow the client to achieve the employment outcome.Conn. Agencies Regs. § 17b-653-20
Adopted effective June 6, 2000