Can self employed get unemployment benefits through Washington ESD?

Self-employed workers generally can't get regular unemployment benefits in Washington state. The traditional UI system requires you to have worked for an employer who paid unemployment taxes on your behalf. Since you're self-employed, you haven't been paying into the system.

Actually, there might be some options depending on your specific situation. If you had any W-2 employment in addition to your self-employment in the past 18 months, you could potentially qualify for regular UI benefits based on those wages. Also, some self-employed people can elect to pay into the unemployment system voluntarily.

I was in a similar situation last year and had trouble getting through to Washington ESD to ask questions about my eligibility. The phone lines are always busy and it's frustrating when you need answers. I ended up using Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) to get connected to an actual agent. They have this video demo that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ. Really helped me get my questions answered without spending hours on hold.

The key thing is that Washington ESD looks at your base year wages from W-2 employment, not self-employment income. If you worked that garden center job from say March to May 2024, those wages would be in your base year and could qualify you for benefits.

Wait I'm confused about this base year thing. Can someone explain it in simpler terms?

So I should definitely apply then? Even though most of my income was self-employment?

I had a similar situation with my freelance writing business. I applied thinking I wouldn't qualify but actually got approved based on some part-time work I'd forgotten about. Don't assume you won't qualify!

Just remember that while you're collecting unemployment, you'll need to be able and available for work. Running your landscaping business might complicate that requirement.

The job search requirement is key. You'll need to do at least 3 job search activities per week and keep a log. Since you were in landscaping, you might want to look for related W-2 jobs at nurseries, landscaping companies, etc.

One more thing - when you file your initial claim, make sure you have all your employment information ready including dates of employment and employer contact info for that garden center job. Washington ESD will need to verify those wages.

If you run into any issues during the application process or have questions come up, definitely consider using that Claimyr service I mentioned earlier. Getting actual guidance from a Washington ESD agent can be really helpful, especially for mixed employment situations like yours.

Good luck with your claim! Even if the benefit amount isn't huge based on part-time wages, every little bit helps when you're struggling.

Just curious - are you planning to keep your landscaping business going or transition back to W-2 work? That might affect your long-term strategy.

Don't forget that if you do qualify, you'll also need to file weekly claims every week to continue receiving benefits. It's pretty straightforward but you can't miss weeks or you'll lose benefits.

The system has gotten better over the years but can still be confusing. Don't hesitate to reach out for help if you get stuck on anything during the process.

One last tip - when you're doing your job search activities, make sure to keep detailed records. Washington ESD can audit your job search log and you want to have proof of your activities.

Sounds like you have a solid plan. File that claim and see what happens! The worst case is they say no, but you might be pleasantly surprised.

Good luck! Let us know how it goes. Your situation might help other self-employed folks who find this thread.

Hope it works out for you. The landscaping business can be tough with seasonal fluctuations but having that backup W-2 work history was smart.

This whole discussion has been really informative. I had no idea self-employed people could potentially qualify under certain circumstances.

Thanks for asking this question OP. I'm in a similar boat with my photography business and part-time retail work. This gives me hope I might qualify too.