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The customized self-employment process unites person-centered planning strategies with the development of a business plan. The goal of the planning process is to develop an individualized, profitable, and sustainable microenterprise. This process does not require the individual to get ready to go to work but, instead, focuses on the talents, interests, and assets of the individual.
For many consumers with disabilities, including consumers who need long-term or ongoing supports, self-employment can be a great option to meet their employment needs. This service is not intended to support or establish a hobby, but should be delivered to support the establishment of a business to meet required competitive integrated employment verifiable wages.
Self-employment allows for:
Service Provider Staff Approved to Deliver Customized Self-Employment Services
Shared Roles and Responsibilities in DVR Services
Note:
Tier 1 requires 2 months of working capital
Tier 2 requires 4 months of working capital
Tier 3 requires 6 months of working capital
If a consumer is interested in self-employment but had been provided self-employment start-up funds in any case that was closed in the last 5 years, consult with DVR director/designee.
A Tier 1 business is intended for individuals that are interested in starting a very small business that is easy to get going and requires little investment from DVR. DVR intends that these businesses are open within 3-6 months after approval of the Business Plan.
Note: VRC must consult with a self-employment subject matter experts in your local WDA throughout the process. No paid business consultants are typically used for Tier 1 businesses. BAS and Feasibility Analysis are also not used in Tier 1 businesses.
The final determination on if the consumer has a feasible business and should proceed with the steps in the toolkit (determined in Step #3), would be determined by the local WDA Director or their designee.
A Tier 2 business is intended for individuals that are interested in starting a small business that typically requires a business consultant, and moderate effort to get going. DVR intends that these businesses are open within 6-12 months after approval of their Business Plan.
A Tier 3 business is intended for individuals that are interested in starting a small business that requires business consultant, a comprehensive business plan, and may be required to consider funding outside of DVR. DVR intends that these businesses are open within 12-18 months after approval of their Business Plan.
These fees are established in accordance with federal guidelines that permit an agency to establish fee limits for services designed to ensure a reasonable cost to the program for each service. If the service is provided as a direct payment to the individual, either a receipt or other appropriate documentation that the funds were used as intended is required.
Note: If the estimated total cost of the business exceeds $18,000 at the time of feasibility, consult with director/designee.
Note: Credit scoring models can help assess consumer credit risk scores. For example, a credit score of 640 is just below a "good" credit score, which is typically a score at or above 670 for FICO. A good credit score can help you qualify for a credit card or loan with a lower interest rate and better terms. A credit score of 640 is a measure of financial stability and an indicator of a consumer's ability to implement and maintain their business operation. Reviewing a DVR consumer's finances and knowledge of managing funds is part of determining readiness to manage the financial sides of business ownership.
Financial Solvency is a measure of a consumer's financial health. A consumer is financially solvent if they have the ability to meet their expenses with income earned through employment, retirement income, documented savings that is readily accessible, documented financial support from others inside or outside of the home, SSI/SSDI. and other financial supports including, but not limited to, FoodShare, rental assistance, and energy assistance.
Service | Purpose | Timeframe(S) | Deliverables | Payment*** |
---|---|---|---|---|
CSE Feasibility of Proposed Business and Support Needs | Identify and detail customized support needs and business feasibility to assist with development of the IPE and serve as the basis for additional services. | Within 90 days of authorization. | Individualized Service Plan provided. | $2,400 outcome payment. Monthly reports required. |
CSE Business Plan/Reporting - Meeting and Report | Creation of a business plan to include marketing and other costs as well as financial projections. | A final business plan and report completed within 180 days of authorization, meet as soon as possible after the report is issued. | Business Plan (Includes support, marketing, and two years of financial projections). | $3,000 outcome payment. Monthly reports required. |
CSE Business Plan Implementation | Implementation of the business plan, delivery of needed supports and coordination. | Monthly reports due within five business days of the conclusion of the last contact with the consumer and team. | Business Plan revisions as needed. Business is operative and generating income. |
$3,000 outcome payment. |
CSE Follow-Along | Delivery of needed supports, fading as possible, coordination and monitoring of business for sustainability. | Monthly reports due within five business days of the conclusion of the last contact with the consumer. Final report must include wage documentation based on gross wages. | Outcome report provided with earning potential leading to Successful Closure. | $900 outcome payment. Activity Code: 048 |
Note: Expected service timeframes have been developed and are intended to keep the consumer moving through the customized self-employment process. These timeframes should be adhered to as much as possible, unless agreed to by all parties. There will be some differences in completion times for each step based on the individual needs of the business and the DVR consumer. Communication with all partners is important to the successful delivery of the service.
*** If over 100 miles, the Service Provider can charge 75 cents per mile for actual miles driven over 100 miles round trip (to and from the closest site where the services can be provided). The 75 cents per mile charge begins with mile 101. Service Providers must submit a travel log detailing mileage. Approval from DVR for traveling over 100 miles is required prior to travel. Due to the nature and complexity of the service, different transportation funding can be individually negotiated to meet the needs of the consumer at the discretion of the WDA Director.
Additional details about the Customized Self Employment Process can be found in the Customized Self-Employment Toolkit. (Note -This toolkit is scheduled to be updated)
Additional helpful disability and business resources can be found in the DVR Self-Employment Toolkit.
The provider should use the criteria below to provide a report to DVR and the CSE team. All areas should be addressed for the report to be considered complete.
Support plan
The support plan outlines tasks for the business to be operational, stating roles of the business owner, supports team members, and business expenses related to services as needed for sustainability, to include detailed discussion and documentation of:
Determine Business Description
Operational Analysis and Description
Facilities
Market Analysis
Financial Analysis
See Customized Self-Employment Checklist (Appendix 10) in the Customized Employment Toolkit.
The provider should use the criteria below to provide a report to DVR and the CSE team. All areas should be addressed for the report to be considered complete.
The Executive Summary (summary of the entire business plan)
The Marketing Plan
The Operations Plan
The Financial Plan
Support plan
During Follow Along the Self-Employment Coordinator assists the team to enact the support plan (and refine as necessary) to ensure business sustainability. Monthly reports are issued during this time and meetings can be held with the team if coordination of resources is needed. The final report must include wage documentation based on legal definition of gross income.
Case closure occurs 90 days after all equipment including assistive technology that DVR has agreed to provide has been received, is operational, and the consumer has stability in performing their essential work task(s). DVR is required to collect and report wage/hour at closure.
**Hours per week worked should be calculated by taking all labor costs (including creating products), marketing, travel time, deducted from sales of products.
There is a monthly report to document meetings and next steps. This report is required monthly during the CSE process. This report does not replace any of the formal plan submissions required and identified above. The self-employment coordinator will decide for the transition to long term supports following stability of the consumer as agreed by the CSE team. The provider should submit the Transition to Long Term Support Report and wage verification as described above.
Reports are due within five (5) business days of the end of the service or previous month if the service is continuing.
Invoices for services should be submitted as described on the Authorization for Services, also referred to as the purchase order. Invoices must be received by DVR within 60 days of completion of the service. Properly submitted invoices will be paid within 30 days of receipt when reports and services have been delivered and accepted as specified.