Can gig workers get unemployment benefits in Washington ESD?

Yes, gig workers can potentially qualify for unemployment in Washington! The state expanded eligibility a few years back. You'll need to file under the Self-Employment Assistance Program or regular UI if you have some W-2 earnings mixed in. The key is proving you're available and actively seeking work.

I tried filing as a gig worker last year and it was a nightmare. Washington ESD kept asking for more documentation and my claim got stuck in adjudication for months. They wanted proof that I was looking for traditional employment, not just more gig work.

The job search requirements are different for gig workers too. You need to show you're looking for work that pays at least what your weekly benefit amount would be. So if you're getting $400/week in UI, you can't just apply to minimum wage jobs.

wait i thought uber drivers couldnt get unemployment?? this is confusing

I'm a tax preparer and I see a lot of gig workers who don't realize they need to have been paying into the unemployment system through their quarterly taxes. If you haven't been paying self-employment tax, you might not be eligible.

Just applied for UI as a gig worker last month and still waiting to hear back. My application has been in 'under review' status for 3 weeks now. Getting really anxious about whether I qualify or not.

The Washington ESD website has a tool where you can check if you qualify before applying. Might be worth trying that first to see if your earnings are high enough.

Been doing Instacart for 2 years and just got approved for unemployment last week! The key was showing consistent earnings over the base period. They look at your highest earning quarter to determine your weekly benefit amount.

This whole gig worker unemployment thing is still pretty new so don't be surprised if the Washington ESD staff you talk to aren't super familiar with the process. Some of them still think gig workers can't get benefits at all.

One thing to watch out for - if you keep doing some gig work while collecting UI, you have to report those earnings on your weekly claims. Even small amounts can affect your benefits.

I qualified but my weekly benefit amount was pretty low because gig work income can be inconsistent. Washington ESD averages your earnings over the base period so busy months get balanced out by slow ones.

Make sure you understand the difference between being an independent contractor and being self-employed. The requirements can be different depending on how Washington ESD classifies your gig work.

Whatever you do, don't wait too long to apply if you think you might qualify. There are time limits on when you can file and you don't want to miss out on benefits you're entitled to.

Just want to add that if you're denied, you have the right to appeal the decision. I've seen gig workers win their appeals even after initial denials, especially if they can prove they were actively seeking traditional employment.

Been following this thread and it's really helpful! I'm in a similar situation with my freelance writing work drying up. Going to look into applying based on what everyone's shared here.

Thanks everyone for all this helpful information! As someone who's been struggling with inconsistent gig work income, it's really encouraging to hear that Washington does have options for people like us. I'm going to gather all my 1099s and earnings records and start the application process. The part about needing to show you're actively looking for traditional employment is something I hadn't considered - I'll make sure to document my job search activities carefully. Really appreciate this community sharing their experiences!

I'm in a really similar boat - been doing Uber Eats and some freelance photography work, and things have gotten really slow over the past few months. Reading through all these responses gives me hope that I might actually qualify! I had no idea about the Self-Employment Assistance Program option. One question though - for those who got approved, did you need to show a specific reason why your gig work decreased? Like can I just say business slowed down, or do they need more detailed explanation about market conditions or something? Also wondering about the timing - should I apply now while I'm still doing some gig work but earning very little, or wait until I completely stop?