Can a 1099 file for unemployment in Washington ESD - self-employed eligibility questions

That's what I was afraid of. So there's really no safety net for freelancers like me?

There might be other programs though - keep reading the thread for more info

I did have a part-time W-2 job about 8 months ago that I worked for 3 months. Would that count?

Yes! If you earned enough in covered wages during your base period, you could potentially qualify. You'll need to file a claim and Washington ESD will determine your eligibility based on those W-2 wages.

Wait really? I didn't know you could mix 1099 and W-2 work like that for unemployment purposes

I've tried calling but can never get through. The phone lines are always busy.

I had the same problem with getting through to Washington ESD until I found Claimyr. It's a service that helps you actually reach a real person at unemployment offices. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Finally got my questions answered after weeks of trying.

How does that work exactly? Do they just keep calling for you or something?

How do I figure out what my base period is exactly? This is all confusing.

If you're filing now in 2025, your base period would be January 2024 through December 2024. You need wages from W-2 employment during those quarters, not 1099 income.

Also remember you have to be able and available for work, which gets tricky if you're still doing freelance projects on the side

What are the work search requirements? Do I have to stop freelancing completely?

You need to make 3 job search contacts per week and register with WorkSource. You can still do some freelance work but there are earnings limits - you have to report any income.

The earnings limits are important - if you make too much from 1099 work in a week, it could affect your benefits for that week

That gives me hope! How long did the whole process take from filing to getting your first payment?

About 6 weeks total, but 4 of those weeks were just trying to talk to someone to explain my mixed employment situation. Once they understood it, the approval was pretty quick.

6 weeks?? That's ridiculous. The system is so broken for anyone with non-traditional work arrangements.

Good point. I should probably gather all my old pay stubs and tax documents before I file.

Exactly. Have everything ready because if there's any discrepancy, it could delay your claim or put it into adjudication.

What's adjudication? Is that bad?

Adjudication is when they need to investigate something about your claim before approving it. Can add weeks or months to the process unfortunately.

That makes sense. My W-2 job was only part-time so the benefits probably won't be much, but something is better than nothing right now.

Absolutely. Even a small weekly benefit can help cover basic expenses while you look for more stable work.

Plus you might qualify for the additional federal programs if you're having trouble finding work in your field

You have to be careful about this. Technically you need to be available for full-time work during normal business hours. If you're actively freelancing, it could be seen as not being available.

This is getting complicated. Maybe I should talk to someone at Washington ESD before I file to make sure I understand all the rules.

Good luck getting through on the phone though. I've been trying for weeks with no success.

How much does something like that cost? I'm already tight on money.

I'd rather not get into specific costs here, but for me it was worth it to finally get answers instead of wasting weeks calling. You can check their website for current rates.

Honestly any cost is probably worth it if it saves you weeks of frustration and gets your claim processed faster

That's a good point. I hadn't thought about other programs. Do you know where to find information about what's available?

Start with 211 - dial 2-1-1 or visit wa211.org. They can connect you with local resources and assistance programs in Washington.

Also check with your county's social services department. They often have emergency assistance programs.

You're right, I should just file and see what happens. Thanks everyone for all the helpful info!

Exactly! And remember to file weekly claims even if your monetary determination is pending. Don't want to miss out on any weeks you might be eligible for.

Good luck! Hope it works out for you. The freelance life is tough without a safety net.

How much can you earn before it affects your benefits?

It varies based on your weekly benefit amount, but generally you can earn up to a certain amount before they start reducing your benefits dollar for dollar. The exact calculation is on the Washington ESD website.

And ALWAYS report any earnings, even if it's just $20. Better to be safe than sorry with overpayments.

Great advice. I'll start a folder with all my employment documents and track everything going forward.

Smart move. Organization is key when dealing with any government benefit program.

Yeah, and screenshot everything online too. Sometimes their system glitches and you'll want proof of what you submitted.