How can individual small business owners who are not members of a designated minority group apply for SBA 8 (a) benefits?
Firstly, an individual who is not a member of a designated group must establish social disadvantage evidenced by at least one objective distinguishing feature beyond their control that has contributed to social disadvantage, such as race, ethnic origin, gender, physical handicap, long-term residence in an environment isolated from the mainstream of American society, or other similar causes not common to individuals who are not socially disadvantaged. Among these are personal experiences of social disadvantage stemming from the aforementioned distinguishing feature or features. Moreover, the experiences must have been in American society, not in other countries, and must have been substantial and chronic.
