Self-Employment – Deeper Dive Training Series

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These modules provide vocational rehabilitation counselors with information about topics that often come up when supporting a VR customer with self-employment. Topics currently covered in the series include the basics of business structures, the effect of self-employment on Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and the effect of self-employment on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).

Counselors are encouraged to complete all the modules but have the option to complete the one they need the most.

Time: 1 hour per module (average)

CRCs: Up to 3 CRCs (1 per module)

Module 1: Business Structures

During this module, you will learn the basics of common business structures and who can help VR customers understand and explore the common business structures, understand the impact of a business structure on taxation, registration, personal liability, funding, and benefits, and ultimately choose the best structure for their business.

Learning Objectives

  1. Identify the resources available to help VR customers choose a business structure.
  2. Identify the common types of business structures.
  3. Understand the tax and liability considerations for various business structures.
  4. Identify different types of business settings.

To receive a certificate of completion and / or CRCs:

  1. Take the pre-test
  2. Complete the eLearning module (download Navigating an eLearning Module for tips)
  3. Pass the post-test (score 100%, unlimited attempts)
  4. Complete the module evaluation

Estimated time to complete: 1 hour

Enter Module 1

Module 2: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Self-Employment

Vocational rehabilitation counselors play an important role in addressing concerns about self-employment and benefits by responding to questions with accurate information, providing reassurance, and referring people to benefits experts for additional support. To support you in fulfilling this role, this module provides an overview of SSDI and self-employment, including what counts as earnings, the basic SSDI work rules, the additional self-employment work rules, and three key steps you can take to make sure that people have accurate information about SSDI and self-employment.

Learning Objectives

  1. Explain the VRC's role with SSDI and self-employment planning.
  2. Describe net earnings from self-employment.
  3. Name the three phases of SSDI work rules.
  4. Identify the process for referring SSDI beneficiaries to a benefits counselor.
  5. Describe strategies for reinforcing the benefits advisement.

To receive a certificate of completion and / or CRCs:

  1. Take the pre-test
  2. Complete the eLearning module (download Navigating an eLearning module for tips)
  3. Pass the post-test (score 100%, unlimited attempts)
  4. Complete the module evaluation

Estimated time to complete: 1 hour.

Enter Module 2

Module 3: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Self-Employment

Vocational rehabilitation counselors play an important role in addressing concerns about self-employment and benefits by responding to questions with accurate information, providing reassurance, and referring people to benefits experts for additional support. To support you in fulfilling this role, this module provides an overview of SSI and self-employment, including what counts as earnings, the basic SSI work rules, the additional self-employment work rules, and three key steps you can take to make sure that people have accurate information about SSI and self-employment.

Learning Objectives

  1. Explain the VRC's role with SSI and self-employment planning.
  2. Describe net earnings from self-employment.
  3. Explain the effect of earnings on the SSI benefit.
  4. Identify the process for referring SSI beneficiaries to a benefits counselor.
  5. Describe strategies for reinforcing the benefits advisement.

To receive a certificate of completion and / or CRCs:

  1. Take the pre-test
  2. Complete the eLearning module (download Navigating an eLearning module for tips)
  3. Pass the post-test (score 100%, unlimited attempts)
  4. Complete the module evaluation

Estimated time to complete: 1 hour.

Enter Module 3

Module 4: Bookkeeping for Self-Employment

Bookkeeping is a crucial part of being self-employed. Bookkeeping enables owners to track income, expenses, and overall profitability. Proper bookkeeping enables informed decision-making, ensures compliance with tax laws, and allows for accurate reporting of business income to the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency and public benefit programs. It also helps detect financial issues early and supports the long-term stability and growth of the business. In this module, you'll build a basic understanding of bookkeeping and explore your role as a VR counselor in supporting VR customers with establishing a system and support for success in this critical area of self-employment.

Learning Objectives

  1. Describe the common tasks associated with bookkeeping.
  2. Explain the VR counselor's role with bookkeeping.
  3. Describe the common support for setting up and maintaining a bookkeeping system.
  4. Assist a VR customer with identifying their bookkeeping support needs and options for support.

To receive a certificate of completion and / or CRCs:

  1. Take the pre-test
  2. Complete the eLearning module (download Navigating an eLearning module for tips)
  3. Pass the post-test (score 100%, unlimited attempts)
  4. Complete the module evaluation

Estimated time to complete: 1 hour.

Enter Module 4

Module 5: Self-Employment and Taxes

People who are self-employed are required to pay employment taxes on their net earnings from self-employment and, in some cases, may be required to pay business taxes. When supporting a VR customer with a self-employment goal, it's critical that you recognize the importance of this responsibility and support the person in getting connected to the necessary support to succeed in paying taxes. In this module, you'll learn about the common taxes a person who is self-employed must pay, you'll explore your role as a VR counselor with self-employment taxes, and you'll learn strategies for getting VR customers the support they need to succeed in this critical area of self-employment.

Learning Objectives

  1. Explain the VR counselor's role with self-employment and taxes.
  2. Describe the common employment and business taxes for self-employed people.
  3. Describe the common tax support for self-employed people.
  4. Assist a VR customer with identifying their tax support needs and appropriate options for support.

To receive a certificate of completion and / or CRCs:

  1. Take the pre-test
  2. Complete the eLearning module (download Navigating an eLearning module for tips)
  3. Pass the post-test (score 100%, unlimited attempts)
  4. Complete the module evaluation

Estimated time to complete: 1 hour.

Enter Module 5

Module 6: Independent Contractors

In today's evolving workforce, independent contracting is becoming increasingly common across industries. This module will explore definitions and key differences between employees and contractors. You'll learn how to use the core steps of self-employment to support someone pursuing independent contractor work. By the end of this module, you'll be better prepared to support VR customers with exploring and pursuing these opportunities.

Learning Objectives

  1. Define an independent contractor.
  2. Explain the difference between an independent contractor and an employee.
  3. Describe how the steps of self-employment often differ for independent contractors.

To complete this module:

  1. Take the pre-test
  2. Complete the eLearning module (download Navigating an eLearning module for tips)
  3. Pass the post-test (score 100%, unlimited attempts)
  4. Complete the module evaluation

Estimated time to complete: 1 hour.

Enter Module 6