Can Uber drivers get Washington ESD unemployment benefits?

Yes, gig workers can qualify for unemployment in Washington! You'll need to show that your earnings dropped significantly. Washington ESD looks at your average weekly earnings over the past year to determine if you meet the substantial reduction threshold. You'll file under the regular UI program, not a separate gig worker category.

Been driving for Lyft and had the same issue last year. Filed with Washington ESD in January and it took forever to get approved. They kept asking for more documentation about my earnings. Finally got it sorted but was a pain.

I had issues getting through to Washington ESD when I needed help with my gig worker claim. Ended up using Claimyr to actually reach someone - they have this system that calls for you and gets you connected to an agent. Check out claimyr.com, they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of calling.

Wait I thought independent contractors couldn't get unemployment at all? When did this change?

You'll need to be available for other work too, not just waiting for Uber rides to pick up. Washington ESD requires you to actively search for employment, including traditional W2 jobs. Make sure you're documenting your job search activities.

File your claim online at Washington ESD's website. You'll answer questions about your work history and they'll calculate if you qualify based on your earnings pattern. Don't wait - benefits can be backdated but there are time limits.

This is why the gig economy sucks. No real benefits, no security, and when things get slow you're screwed. At least there's some unemployment available now but it shouldn't be this complicated.

One important thing - if you're approved, you'll need to file weekly claims and report any gig work earnings. Even small amounts need to be reported or you could face overpayment issues later.

My cousin drives for Uber and got benefits last year when his car broke down and he couldn't work for a few weeks. Washington ESD approved him pretty quickly once he showed his repair receipts and earnings history.

Another thing about Claimyr - I used it when I had questions about reporting my gig earnings properly. The Washington ESD agent I reached explained exactly how to handle the weekly reporting for rideshare income. Worth using if you get stuck on the reporting requirements.

Make sure you have all your records organized before you file. Bank statements showing direct deposits from Uber, your driver app earnings summaries, tax documents, everything. Washington ESD is thorough with gig worker claims.

You might want to check if you qualify for any other assistance programs too while you're at it. SNAP, utility assistance, etc. When gig work income drops it can help bridge the gap.

Question - do you have to stop driving completely to get benefits or can you keep doing limited hours?

Winter is always tough for rideshare. I supplement with food delivery when ride requests are slow but even that's been dead lately. Glad to know UI is an option.

Remember you'll also need to register with WorkSource Washington and maintain an active job search. This is required even if you plan to continue gig work. Document everything you do for job searching.

File as soon as possible. Even if you're not sure you qualify, it's better to apply and let Washington ESD make the determination. The worst they can do is deny the claim.

Last tip about getting help from Washington ESD - if you need to speak with someone about your specific situation, definitely check out that Claimyr service I mentioned earlier. Much easier than trying to call their main line repeatedly. The video demo shows exactly how it works and it's pretty straightforward.

Hope this helps! The gig worker situation with unemployment has definitely improved in Washington compared to other states. Just be thorough with your documentation and honest about your earnings.

Keep us posted on how it goes! Always curious to hear about other gig workers' experiences with the unemployment process.

This thread is super helpful. I drive for multiple apps and had no idea unemployment was even possible. Definitely filing if my earnings don't pick up soon.