EDD self-employment reporting for Amazon Flex - need employer number and availability question
I started doing Amazon Flex deliveries after being laid off from my full-time warehouse job. When certifying for unemployment, I'm confused about how to report these gig earnings correctly. The EDD form asks for an employer number, but as an independent contractor with Amazon Flex, I don't have one? What should I put in that field? Also, the bigger issue - some weeks I get maybe 1-2 blocks of delivery work, other weeks nothing at all because the app is so competitive. Since delivery blocks are sometimes available (even though I can't always get them), would EDD consider me ineligible for benefits? I'm applying for full-time jobs every week and documenting everything, but this gig work situation is making certification really confusing. Anyone dealt with this Amazon Flex/EDD situation before?
18 comments
Mia Roberts
You don't need an employer number for self-employment income. You should report Amazon Flex as self-employment income during certification. For the employer field, just put "Amazon Flex" or "Self-employed" and leave the employer number blank or put your own SSN if it requires something. As for eligibility, you're still eligible as long as you're able and available for full-time work and actively looking. Having inconsistent gig work doesn't disqualify you - you just need to report any earnings during weeks you worked. Make sure you're keeping detailed records of your Amazon Flex income by week for when you certify.
0 coins
Grace Lee
•Thank you! I was really stressing about the employer number. So even if I report "self-employed" and blocks are theoretically available in the app (even though I can't always get them), they won't consider me as turning down work? That's been my biggest worry.
0 coins
The Boss
just fyi i did door dash while on unemployment last year and i just wrote 'doordash - self employed' and left the employer # section blank. never had any issues!!
0 coins
Grace Lee
•That's really helpful to know! Did you have weeks where you didn't do any dashing but the app was still showing available slots? That's what's happening with Amazon Flex for me sometimes.
0 coins
Evan Kalinowski
The Amazon Flex situation is tricky with EDD. I was in the same boat a few months ago. Here's what you need to know: 1. For employer number, write "Self-employed" and use your SSN if it requires a number 2. For the work availability question - this is important - you ARE still eligible as long as you're looking for full-time work. Having gig work with inconsistent availability doesn't make you ineligible 3. Make sure you're accurately reporting your gross earnings (before expenses) for each week you certify 4. Keep track of your mileage and expenses separately for tax purposes The key thing EDD cares about is that you're AVAILABLE and LOOKING for full-time work. As long as you're doing that and reporting any income you actually earn, you're following the rules.
0 coins
Victoria Charity
•but doesnt EDD consider you as having "refused work" if theres delivery blocks available in the app but you didnt take them?? i got flagged for something similar last year and had to deal with a whole eligibility interview!!
0 coins
Victoria Charity
This exact situation caused me HUGE problems with EDD!!! They flagged my account and said I was refusing work because I wasn't picking up all available gig blocks. Had to wait 6 weeks for an interview and my payments were all pending. The system is so broken for gig workers!!!!
0 coins
Jasmine Quinn
•That sounds more like an issue with how you explained it during certification. If you're available for full-time work but choose which gig assignments to accept based on what makes financial sense, that's not refusing suitable work. The key is how you explain it - gig work isn't considered suitable full-time employment that would disqualify you from benefits.
0 coins
Oscar Murphy
I do instacart + i just put self employed. for the number i use my ssn. no big deal they know what to do with it
0 coins
Nora Bennett
When I tried reaching EDD to ask about this exact situation with DoorDash, I could never get through to anyone for WEEKS. Kept getting the "we're experiencing high call volume" message. I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and got connected to an EDD agent in about 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km The agent confirmed that gig work with variable availability doesn't make you ineligible as long as you're looking for full-time work and reporting any earnings. Saved me so much stress!
0 coins
Victoria Charity
•does that service actually work?? i've been trying to call EDD for 3 days straight about my self-employment questions
0 coins
Nora Bennett
•Yes it worked for me! I was skeptical too but I was desperate after trying for weeks. Got through to an actual person who could answer my questions about my gig work situation.
0 coins
Jasmine Quinn
The correct way to handle this: 1. For employer information, put "Amazon Flex" or "Self-employed" - the EDD is familiar with gig workers 2. For employer number, you can leave it blank or use your SSN if the form requires an entry 3. Report your GROSS earnings (before expenses) for each week you earned money 4. You remain eligible as long as: - You're able and available for full-time work - You're actively looking for full-time employment - You're meeting the work search requirements The availability of gig work you CAN'T access (like blocks you can't get) does NOT make you ineligible. This is a common misconception. Only report earnings you actually receive. Keep detailed records of your earnings by certification week (Sunday-Saturday). If you're ever called for an eligibility interview, explain that the nature of Amazon Flex means you don't have guaranteed hours and can't rely on it for full-time income, which is why you're seeking regular employment.
0 coins
Grace Lee
•This is incredibly helpful and detailed - thank you! I've been taking screenshots of the app when I try to get blocks but can't, just in case I need to prove I wasn't turning down work. I'll keep being diligent about my work search and documentation.
0 coins
The Boss
btw make sure ur reporting the right amount on ur certification! its ur gross pay BEFORE amazon takes out expenses not what hits ur bank account
0 coins
Evan Kalinowski
One more important thing - keep a mileage log for your Amazon Flex work! This won't matter for EDD reporting (you report gross income), but it will help reduce your taxable income when you file taxes next year. The self-employment tax hit can be pretty significant otherwise.
0 coins
Grace Lee
•Great point! I've been using an app to track my mileage. So to be 100% clear - for EDD I report the full amount Amazon pays before expenses, but for taxes I can deduct mileage and other expenses later?
0 coins
Evan Kalinowski
•Exactly right! EDD wants gross earnings, IRS lets you deduct business expenses. Two different systems.
0 coins