Entrepreneurship and Self-Employment
Self-employment and entrepreneurship offer disabled people flexibility, control, and income—often in ways traditional employment can’t. Many disabled people build successful businesses or freelance careers that work with rather than against their disabilities.
This page centers disabled entrepreneurs’ expertise on building businesses and self-employed careers.
Where Are You?
Section titled “Where Are You?”Jump to your country or region:
- Why Self-Employment Works for Disabled People
- United States
- Canada
- United Kingdom
- Australia
- Other Countries
Why Self-Employment Works for Disabled People
Section titled “Why Self-Employment Works for Disabled People”Benefits
Section titled “Benefits”Flexibility: Set your own schedule around energy levels, medical appointments, and symptoms.
Accommodations without asking: You don’t need to request accommodations from yourself.
Control: Decide your own workload, pace, and methods.
Avoiding workplace discrimination: Skip the hiring process that often discriminates against disabled applicants.
Working from home: Eliminate commuting and control your environment.
Income without employment barriers: Create income when traditional employment has been inaccessible.
Challenges
Section titled “Challenges”Inconsistent income: Especially challenging when paired with benefits cliffs.
No employer benefits: May need to find health insurance, retirement savings separately.
Isolation: Working alone can be lonely.
All the hats: You’re the accountant, marketer, and IT support.
Benefits complications: Earnings can affect disability benefits in complex ways.
Startup costs: Getting started requires resources.
United States
Section titled “United States”Benefits and Self-Employment
Section titled “Benefits and Self-Employment”Self-employment interacts with disability benefits in important ways:
Social Security work incentives:
- Trial Work Period: Test your ability to work while receiving SSDI
- Extended Period of Eligibility: After trial work, SSDI available in months earnings drop below limit
- PASS (Plan to Achieve Self-Support): Set aside money for self-employment goals without affecting SSI
- Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE): Deduct disability-related business expenses
- Property Essential to Self-Support (PESS): Exclude business property from SSI resource limits
Self-employment income counting:
- Social Security counts NET self-employment income (after business expenses)
- This is different from wages, which are counted GROSS
- Legitimate business expenses can significantly reduce countable income
Important: Benefits rules are complex. Work with a benefits counselor before starting.
Resources for Starting
Section titled “Resources for Starting”SCORE: Free mentoring for small business owners, including disabled entrepreneurs.
Small Business Administration (SBA): Loans, grants, and resources. Some specific programs for disabled entrepreneurs.
Vocational Rehabilitation: Can fund self-employment plans for eligible individuals. May cover business expenses, equipment, training.
State assistive technology programs: May help with technology needed for business.
Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs): Free business consulting and training.
Legal Structures
Section titled “Legal Structures”Choose a business structure:
- Sole proprietorship: Simplest, but personal liability
- LLC: Liability protection, flexible taxation
- S-Corp or C-Corp: For larger operations
An accountant or attorney can help determine what’s best for your situation.
Health Insurance
Section titled “Health Insurance”Self-employed options:
- ACA Marketplace: Subsidies based on income
- Medicaid: If income-eligible (varies by state)
- Medicare: If you qualify through disability
- COBRA: Temporary continuation of previous employer coverage
- Spouse’s coverage: If available
- Professional associations: Some offer group plans
Tax Considerations
Section titled “Tax Considerations”Self-employed individuals:
- Pay self-employment tax (Social Security and Medicare)
- Can deduct business expenses
- May need to pay quarterly estimated taxes
- Should track all expenses carefully
- May benefit from working with an accountant familiar with disability
Who’s Organizing
Section titled “Who’s Organizing”Disability:IN includes resources on disability-owned businesses.
National Disability Institute focuses on financial empowerment including self-employment.
Griffin-Hammis Associates specializes in self-employment and customized employment for disabled people.
Canada
Section titled “Canada”Benefits and Self-Employment
Section titled “Benefits and Self-Employment”ODSP (Ontario Disability Support Program) and other provincial programs have self-employment provisions:
- Some earnings exemptions
- Business expenses can be deducted
- Rules vary by province
Canada Disability Benefit: New benefit being implemented—check current rules.
Resources for Starting
Section titled “Resources for Starting”Canada Business Network: Resources and support for all entrepreneurs.
Provincial business support programs: Vary by province.
Vocational rehabilitation programs: May support self-employment in some provinces.
Disability organizations: May offer business development support.
Legal and Tax
Section titled “Legal and Tax”- Register a business (sole proprietorship, corporation, etc.)
- Understand GST/HST requirements
- Track expenses for tax purposes
- Consider working with an accountant
United Kingdom
Section titled “United Kingdom”Benefits and Self-Employment
Section titled “Benefits and Self-Employment”Self-employment affects benefits:
Universal Credit: Self-employed income is assessed, with some allowances for startup periods. “Minimum Income Floor” may apply after 12 months.
PIP (Personal Independence Payment): Not affected by earnings.
ESA (Employment and Support Allowance): Being replaced by Universal Credit; complex rules around permitted work.
Working with Access to Work: Can support self-employment with workplace adjustments.
New Enterprise Allowance: Support for starting a business while on certain benefits.
Resources for Starting
Section titled “Resources for Starting”Access to Work: Can provide support for self-employed disabled people—workplace adjustments, equipment, support workers.
Start Up Loans: Government-backed loans for new businesses.
Prince’s Trust: Support for young entrepreneurs.
Local enterprise partnerships: Regional business support.
Legal Structure
Section titled “Legal Structure”- Sole trader
- Limited company
- Partnership
Register with HMRC, understand tax obligations, consider professional advice.
Australia
Section titled “Australia”NDIS and Self-Employment
Section titled “NDIS and Self-Employment”NDIS can support employment-related goals:
- Capacity building for work
- Support to develop business skills
- Some employment support services
Self-employment income doesn’t affect NDIS funding (NDIS is not income-tested).
Disability Support Pension and Self-Employment
Section titled “Disability Support Pension and Self-Employment”DSP has earnings rules:
- Work Bonus provisions
- Income affects pension payment
- Important to understand how self-employment income is assessed
Resources
Section titled “Resources”Business.gov.au: Central resource for starting businesses.
JobAccess: Information on self-employment for disabled Australians.
NDIS: May fund employment-related supports.
State small business programs: Vary by state.
Other Countries
Section titled “Other Countries”Principles
Section titled “Principles”Self-employment can work for disabled people anywhere, but:
- Benefits interactions vary by country
- Support programs vary widely
- Informal economy may be primary in some contexts
- Legal structures differ
Finding Support
Section titled “Finding Support”- Research your country’s benefits rules around self-employment
- Find small business resources in your area
- Connect with disabled entrepreneurs for peer support
- Contact disability organizations who may have business programs
Types of Self-Employment
Section titled “Types of Self-Employment”Freelancing
Section titled “Freelancing”Offering services (writing, design, consulting, etc.):
- Lower startup costs
- Flexible workload
- Can start part-time
- May be unstable income
E-commerce
Section titled “E-commerce”Selling products online:
- Can be done from home
- Many platforms available (Etsy, Shopify, Amazon)
- Requires product development or sourcing
- Shipping and inventory considerations
Consulting
Section titled “Consulting”Using your expertise:
- Can charge higher rates
- Requires established knowledge/reputation
- Networking important
- May involve meetings and travel (or not)
Creative Work
Section titled “Creative Work”Art, writing, music, content creation:
- Often flexible schedule
- May take time to build income
- Multiple revenue streams possible (sales, teaching, licensing)
- Community building important
Service Businesses
Section titled “Service Businesses”Services you can adapt to your abilities:
- Virtual assistance
- Tutoring
- Coaching
- Bookkeeping
- Tech support
Online Business
Section titled “Online Business”Digital products, courses, memberships:
- Create once, sell many times
- Requires building audience
- Can be very flexible
- Technology skills needed
Making Self-Employment Work with Disability
Section titled “Making Self-Employment Work with Disability”Structuring Work Around Your Needs
Section titled “Structuring Work Around Your Needs”- Schedule around energy levels: Work when you have energy; rest when you don’t
- Build in flexibility: Don’t overcommit
- Plan for flares and bad days: Have backup plans
- Automate what you can: Use technology to reduce labor
- Outsource when possible: Hire help for tasks that are harder for you
Accessibility in Your Business
Section titled “Accessibility in Your Business”- Accessible workspace: Set up your environment to work for you
- Assistive technology: Invest in tools that help
- Communication accommodations: Explain your communication preferences to clients
Managing Inconsistent Capacity
Section titled “Managing Inconsistent Capacity”- Diversify income: Multiple small streams can be more stable
- Build reserves: Save for periods when you can’t work
- Set sustainable expectations: With clients and yourself
- Create passive income: Products that sell while you rest
Dealing with Benefits
Section titled “Dealing with Benefits”- Understand the rules: Know how self-employment affects your benefits
- Work with a benefits counselor: Get expert help
- Track everything: Keep careful records
- Report accurately: Avoid problems by reporting correctly
- Use work incentives: Take advantage of programs designed to help
Getting Started
Section titled “Getting Started”Assess Your Situation
Section titled “Assess Your Situation”- What skills do you have?
- What can you do within your capacity?
- What flexibility do you need?
- What resources do you have?
- How will self-employment affect your benefits?
Start Small
Section titled “Start Small”- Begin part-time or as a side project
- Test your idea before investing heavily
- Build gradually
- Learn as you go
Get Support
Section titled “Get Support”- Connect with mentors (SCORE, disability business organizations)
- Find community with other disabled entrepreneurs
- Use small business resources
- Consider working with professionals (accountants, attorneys)
Build Your Business
Section titled “Build Your Business”- Create a simple business plan
- Set up basic business structure
- Start marketing
- Find your first clients
- Refine as you learn
Scenarios: Finding What You Need
Section titled “Scenarios: Finding What You Need””I want to start a business but I’m afraid of losing my benefits”
Section titled “”I want to start a business but I’m afraid of losing my benefits””Work with a benefits counselor BEFORE starting. Understand the rules. Use work incentives like PASS plans. Many people successfully run businesses while maintaining some benefits.
”I don’t have money to start a business”
Section titled “”I don’t have money to start a business””Many businesses can start with minimal investment. Freelancing and services need little startup capital. Look into grants, microloans, and VR funding. Start very small and reinvest.
”I can only work a few hours a week”
Section titled “”I can only work a few hours a week””Build a business around your capacity. Focus on high-value activities. Create passive income streams. Be honest with clients about your availability.
”I don’t know what business to start”
Section titled “”I don’t know what business to start””Consider your skills, interests, and capacity. What do people ask you for help with? What problems can you solve? Start with something small and see what works.
Resources
Section titled “Resources”Global
Section titled “Global”- Disability entrepreneurship networks: Search for communities in your area
United States
Section titled “United States”- SCORE: score.org (free mentoring)
- SBA: sba.gov
- Ticket to Work: choosework.ssa.gov
- National Disability Institute: nationaldisabilityinstitute.org
- Benefits counseling: Find a Community Work Incentives Coordinator (CWIC)
Canada
Section titled “Canada”- Canada Business Network: canadabusiness.ca
- Provincial business support programs
United Kingdom
Section titled “United Kingdom”- Access to Work: gov.uk/access-to-work
- Start Up Loans: startuploans.co.uk
- Business Wales, Business Gateway (Scotland), etc.: Regional programs
Australia
Section titled “Australia”- Business.gov.au: business.gov.au
- JobAccess: jobaccess.gov.au
Contribute to This Page
Section titled “Contribute to This Page”Are you a disabled entrepreneur? Have you navigated self-employment with a disability?
Share your knowledge: Contribution Form
We especially welcome:
- First-hand business experiences
- Tips for specific types of businesses
- Country-specific information
- Strategies for managing benefits and self-employment
This page centers disabled entrepreneurs’ expertise. Self-employment can be a path to flexibility, income, and control that traditional employment often doesn’t offer.