HELP FOR THE HOME-BASED

New professional organizations are springing up to support home-based businesses. Independent Business Alliance (800 450-2IBA) can hook you up with health and business insurance, financing, marketing support, and name-brand business products. For $24 a year, it seeks to become ``the AARP of this market segment,'' says Chairman Robert J. Levine.

SOHO America (800 495-SOHO) doesn't offer insurance yet but comes with an Internet site, a business advice line, a computer support service, and a fax-on-demand library. Its goal, for $48 a year, is to serve small businesses as their ``silent partner.''

EDITED BY AMEY STONE