CRITERIA FOR CLOSURE

ADDITIONAL CRITERIA: FOR CONSIDERATION ONLY

It is difficult to determine when an individual pursuing a self-employment enterprise goal is stable enough to consider closure. Businesses take a long time to develop and turn a profit, although a business owner may work far more than 40 hours per week in the business. Wage data may be misleading in self-employment because of the complications of expenses, putting money back into the business, business equity, etc. If the counselor is uncertain as to whether a case should be closed, the counselor may convene the SEE Committee for consultation purposes.

When does a counselor close the case? Based upon the federal regulations, the counselor can determine that a successful employment outcome has been achieved when all of the following criteria are met:

• "The provision of services under the individual’s IEP has contributed to the achievement of the employment outcome."
• "The employment outcome is consistent with the individual’s strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities capabilities, interests, and informed choice."
• "The employment outcome is in the most integrated setting possible, consistent with the individual’s informed choice."
• "The individual has maintained the employment outcome for a period of at least 90 days."
• "The individual and the rehabilitation counselor consider the employment outcome to be satisfactory and agree that the individual is performing well on the job."

Since neither a specific monetary amount nor number of hours worked per week is mentioned in the Rehabilitation Act, its left up to the counselor and consumer to decide when a case should be closed as successful.

ADDITIONAL CRITERIA: FOR CONSIDERATION ONLY

Alabama and Vermont have incorporated additional indicators that should be considered for successful closure. The customer must meet an essential indicator plus one of the additional indicators.

Essential Indicator:

• The SEE has been sustained for 90 days (with post employment follow-up) without additional support from DRS and is able to put money back into the business to maintain ongoing business expenses. A self-employment enterprise will take time to make a profit. Income is used to make a business flourish. If the individual demonstrates an ability to meet business expenses without VR support, the owner is on the way to success.

Additional Indicators:

• Has gone off SSDI. This is a "stand alone" indicator. If a person can produce enough income to go off SSDI, then their business must be, by definition, successful and producing a livable wage.
• Has experienced a decrease in public benefits (e.g. SSI, ANFC, food stamps, housing subsidy, Medicaid, mental health services, etc.). A person may have a successful business but not be producing enough income to eliminate public benefits. All available income may be used to support or grow the business. However, an indicator of success would be enough income to reduce the need for some benefits.
• Has made a net profit from the business or has significant gross income. The person will submit business statements for counselor review. Examine projected net income and compare to actual net income achieved. Obviously, profit indicates some success. Gross income is also used since business expenses or reinvestment may negate profit.
• Has increased equity in the business (equipment, savings on assets and liability statement). Person will submit business statements to the counselor for review. Although unable to show a profit as mentioned above, a person may be increasing the business equity, indicating growth and stability.