Can I get unemployment if self employed - NYS Department of Labor options?
Been running my own small consulting business for the past 2 years but work has completely dried up since November. I know regular employees can file for unemployment but what about self-employed people like me? Does NYS Department of Labor have any programs for independent contractors or freelancers? I've been searching their website but it's confusing and I can't find clear answers about eligibility.
10 comments
Join the conversation
StarStrider
Self-employed individuals generally aren't eligible for regular unemployment insurance through NYS Department of Labor since you haven't been paying into the UI system as an employee. However, you might qualify if you also had W-2 employment during your base period. Check your my.ny.gov account to see if you have any wage credits from employers.
0 coins
Sean Murphy
•I did have a part-time W-2 job for about 6 months last year before going full-time self-employed. Would that count for anything?
0 coins
Zara Malik
yeah i think u might be out of luck unless u paid into the system somehow... self employed ppl usually dont qualify but not 100% sure
0 coins
Luca Marino
Actually, if you had W-2 wages during your base period (which would be roughly April 2023 through March 2024 for a claim filed now), you could potentially qualify for benefits. NYS Department of Labor will calculate your weekly benefit amount based on those W-2 wages, not your self-employment income. You'll need to file a claim and let them determine eligibility. Also make sure you're available for and actively seeking W-2 employment, not just more consulting work.
0 coins
Sean Murphy
•That's really helpful! I'll try filing a claim then. Do I need to bring any special documentation about my self-employment income or just focus on the W-2 wages?
0 coins
Luca Marino
•Just focus on the W-2 wages for now. NYS Department of Labor will verify those wages with your former employer. They may ask about your self-employment later to ensure you're truly unemployed and not just having a slow period.
0 coins
Nia Davis
Had a similar situation last year when my freelance graphic design work disappeared. Took me forever to get through to someone at NYS Department of Labor to ask questions. Finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me connected to an agent who could explain my options. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Turns out I did qualify based on some contract work that had been treated as W-2.
0 coins
Mateo Perez
•Never heard of that service before but might be worth trying since calling NYS Department of Labor directly is impossible these days. How much does it cost?
0 coins
Nia Davis
•They don't really focus on pricing on their site, more about getting you through to speak with someone when you need answers. Was worth it for me since I was stuck for weeks trying to figure out my eligibility.
0 coins
Aisha Rahman
The whole system is so confusing! I've been self-employed for years and never really understood how any of this works. Good luck getting answers from NYS Department of Labor - their website is like a maze.
0 coins