Can 1099 workers file for unemployment in Washington state?

That's what I was afraid of. Are there any other options for independent contractors in Washington?

Wait, didn't they change some rules during COVID? I thought contractors could get benefits now.

This is so frustrating. Self-employed people pay taxes too but get no safety net when work dries up.

I agree it's unfair, but that's how the system is currently structured. The UI fund is supported by employer payroll taxes, not self-employment taxes.

How does that service work? I've been trying to call Washington ESD for days with no luck.

They basically call on your behalf and get you connected to an agent. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Much easier than spending hours on hold.

Your friend might have had some W-2 employment alongside their 1099 work. If you have any W-2 wages in your base period, you could potentially qualify for UI based on those wages.

Or they might have gotten the pandemic benefits before they ended. Those were different rules.

If you pay yourself W-2 wages through your LLC and pay unemployment taxes, then yes, you could potentially qualify. But you'd need to have been doing this consistently, not just start now.

Makes sense. Wish I'd thought of this earlier. Too late now I guess.

Agreed. Other states are starting to address this but Washington seems behind.

At least we have better worker protections than most states, but yeah, this is a gap.

I did some part-time retail work about 6 months ago for like 3 weeks. Would that count?

It might! You should definitely apply and see. Even small amounts of W-2 wages can sometimes qualify you for benefits, though the amount would be based on those wages, not your 1099 income.

How do I find out what my base period wages were? I had a few different jobs over the past year.

When you apply on the Washington ESD website, they'll show you your wage history. Or you can request a wage statement. The base period is usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters.

Good point. Also check with your local WorkSource office - they might have other resources for job seekers.

And don't forget about the Earned Income Tax Credit when you file taxes next year if your income is lower.

Same here. Wish they made this clearer on the Washington ESD website.

They do have some info about it, but it's buried in the FAQ section and hard to find.

Thanks for the tip. I'll look into that while I'm searching for new contracts.

WorkSource is actually pretty good. They helped me transition from contract work to full-time employment a few years ago.

Like I mentioned earlier, I used Claimyr to get through. They handle the calling and waiting for you. Worth it just to avoid the headache of trying to reach them yourself.

How much does that cost though? I'm already out of work and money's tight.

I think it's worth it considering how much time you save, but I understand if money's tight. The video demo shows exactly how it works if you want to check it out first.

This is the clearest explanation in the whole thread. Thank you!

Should pin this comment. Answers all the main questions.

You're right. I'll apply tomorrow and see what happens. At least then I'll know for sure.

Make sure you have your Social Security card and photo ID ready when you apply. The system can be picky about documentation.

Will do! I'll come back and post what I find out from Washington ESD.

Following this thread too. The whole gig economy thing makes everything so complicated.

Smart thinking! An emergency fund is definitely crucial for freelancers since we don't have the same safety net as W-2 employees. I learned this the hard way when I first started out. Even having 3-6 months of expenses saved up can make a huge difference when contracts end unexpectedly. The mixed income approach is also worth considering - some freelancers I know do part-time W-2 work specifically to maintain UI eligibility while building their freelance business.