Business start-up support for workers with disabilities

The employment obligation for disabled people, adaptation of the workstation, missions... The world of work is evolving to offer better integration opportunities to disabled people. For several years now, many actions have been put in place to enable them to create their own business. No prerequisite is required to open a business.

Therefore, anyone can start a business, even people with disabled worker status. However, it is a good idea to get some entrepreneurial training before starting a business. Why and how should you learn about entrepreneurship? What support is available for disabled workers to set up a business? What are the conditions to benefit from it? We tell you everything in this comprehensive guide.

What is Agefiph?

Agefiph, or Association de Gestion du Fonds pour l'Insertion Professionnelle des Personnes Handicapées, is an association that provides aid and support for the integration of people with disabilities into the workplace. This institution works to include disability in the workplace. It also offers schemes to help reconcile disability and business creation or takeover. Financial assistance is available to help those who qualify. Do you think you are eligible? We invite you to consult the Agefiph website or to contact the Maison Départementale pour les Personnes Handicapées (Departmental House for the Disabled) in your commune.

Agefiph website

Who can benefit from Agefiph's business creation aid?

All recognised disabled workers registered on the list of jobseekers wishing to set up or take over a business can benefit from the aid provided by Agefiph. The applicant must be a company director or business owner. Obtaining disabled worker status from the COTOREP (Commission technique d'orientation et de reclassement professionnel) and the CDAPH (Commission des droits et de l'autonomie des personnes handicapées) is also a condition for receiving this aid. The application for assistance must be made by your Pôle emploi advisor or the local mission, depending on your age. Unfortunately, projects to set up a micro-enterprise are not covered by this financial aid.

How does Agefiph's aid for business creation work?

The Agefiph grant is a flat-rate, personal grant, paid directly into the applicant's bank account. Its amount, fixed at €5 000 before the Covid-19 crisis, is now €6 000. This amount has been increased to enable workers recognised as disabled to set up their own business and increase their chances of becoming a sustainable entrepreneur. A support diagnosis has also been put in place to accompany business creators throughout the health crisis.

Conditions for receiving Agefiph aid

 

There are several financial conditions for receiving Agefiph aid. The disabled person must make a financial contribution of at least €1 500 to set up the business. They must also provide evidence that the project requires a minimum financial contribution of €7 500. In addition, the application for funds must be made before the business is taken over or registered.

How to apply for Agefiph support?

The application can be sent to Agefiph, online or by post, to the relevant regional delegation. Then, after studying the application, Agefiph sends a letter containing a reply, whether favourable or not. In the event of refusal, the decision is substantiated. A request for re-examination of the application may be made within one month of the date of refusal.

What does the Agefiph application file contain?

The Agefiph application file contains a number of supporting documents. Here is a non-exhaustive list of the documents requested:

● Proof of recognition of the applicant as a disabled worker.

● Proof of the €1,500 contribution.

● The completed, signed and dated application form.

● The summary of the business project.

● In the case of a business creation, a draft statute must be attached.

Is it possible to combine with other aid for business creation or takeover?

It is possible to combine financial aid from Agefiph with other aid from the association as a disabled worker. Moreover, this aid can be combined with other common law aid, including the Pôle emploi's business creation aid (ACRE) (for disabled workers who are registered as jobseekers).

When is reimbursement of Agefiph aid requested?

Agefiph reserves the right to request full reimbursement of the financial aid if the disabled worker ceases his or her activity or sells his or her company before 3 years of follow-up.

Is it possible to receive Agefiph aid several times?

It is only possible to receive Agefiph allowance once.

Would you like to know everything about continuing vocational training?. You can also find out about all our training courses for keeping disabled workers in employment. We offer a wide range of training courses to help integrate disabled people into mainstream companies.

Discover our article on the subject