Can you collect unemployment if you are self employed in Washington State?

I did have a part-time W-2 job last year but only for about 6 months. Would that count for anything?

Yes, that could definitely help! If you earned enough wages from W-2 employment during your base period, you might qualify for regular UI benefits. The base period is typically the first four quarters of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file.

This is so true! I spent weeks trying to get through to them about my claim status.

I actually found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents by phone. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. My friend used it to actually talk to someone about whether her mixed employment situation qualified her for benefits.

So if I had that part-time job, I should definitely apply and see what happens?

Yes, absolutely file an application. Washington ESD will calculate your base period wages and determine if you meet the minimum requirements. The worst they can say is no, but you might be surprised.

It's not that self-employed people can get UI benefits for their self-employment - it's that if they ALSO had regular W-2 employment, they might qualify based on those wages.

Oh okay that makes more sense. So it's the regular job wages that would count, not the business income.

That's exactly my situation! Did you have any problems with Washington ESD understanding that you had both types of work?

Not really, but I had to explain it clearly when I filed. Make sure you keep good records of both your W-2 wages and your self-employment income for reporting purposes.

I totally feel your frustration but the rules exist for a reason - to prevent fraud and make sure the money goes to people who actually paid into the system.

I guess that makes sense but it's still annoying when you're stressed about money and can't figure out if you even qualify.

How long does it usually take to hear back after you apply?

It can vary a lot. Sometimes it's quick if everything is straightforward, but if your situation is complicated like having mixed employment types, it might take longer or go into adjudication.

Excellent point. The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program that helped self-employed individuals has been discontinued. Current eligibility is back to pre-pandemic rules.

Good to know, I was wondering if I had missed some special program.

I hadn't thought about that. Do you know where I would look for those kinds of programs?

Try your local WorkSource office or check with small business development centers in your area. They often know about grants or assistance programs that aren't widely advertised.

So I'd have to look for regular employment even though I have my consulting business?

Yes, you'd need to demonstrate that you're actively seeking work in your field and available to accept suitable employment. Your self-employment can't interfere with your availability for full-time work.

That's exactly why I mentioned Claimyr earlier. They specialize in helping people get through to Washington ESD agents when you need to discuss complex situations like mixed employment. Way better than spending hours on hold for nothing.

Is that actually legit? I'm always skeptical of services that claim they can get you through government phone systems.

Yeah, it's real. They basically handle the calling and waiting for you, then connect you when they reach an actual agent. Super helpful when you have specific questions that can't be answered online.

I haven't heard of SharedWork. Is that through Washington ESD too?

Yes, it's administered by Washington ESD. It's designed for situations where employers reduce hours instead of laying people off, but there might be applications for your situation too.

That sounds similar to my situation. Did he have trouble with Washington ESD understanding his mixed income sources?

not really but he had to explain it a few times and keep really good records of everything he made from both jobs

So if I make $200 from consulting one week, they'd subtract that from my unemployment payment?

It depends on the amount and how it compares to your weekly benefit amount. Washington ESD has specific formulas for calculating earnings deductions. This is definitely something to discuss with an agent when you file.

Thanks for sharing your experience. Did you end up qualifying?

Yeah, I did qualify based on my W-2 wages, but my weekly benefit amount was pretty small because of my ongoing self-employment income. Still helped though during a tough time.

Definitely planning to be completely honest. I'd rather get a small benefit amount than risk legal problems.

That's the right approach. They're pretty good at catching discrepancies, and the penalties for fraud are severe.

Thank you! I'm going to gather all my employment records and file an application this week. This thread has been really helpful in understanding my options.

That's great to hear! Make sure you have all your wage information handy and be prepared to provide detailed explanations about your mixed employment situation.

I'll definitely keep that in mind. Hopefully the online application process goes smoothly, but it's good to know there are options if I need to talk to someone.

Yeah, I wish I had known about that service when I was dealing with my claim issues. Would have saved me so much time and stress.

Right, I'll need to do the job search activities and report my consulting income every week. Thanks for the reminder!

You're welcome! These mixed employment situations are more common than people think, especially in today's economy. It's worth exploring all your options.

Good luck with your application too! It sounds like there are more of us in this situation than I realized.

That's a really good point about vocational rehabilitation services! I hadn't considered that angle at all. Since my consulting business has been slow partly due to changes in my industry, it might make sense to look into skill enhancement or even pivoting to related areas where there's more demand. Do you know if WorkSource counselors can help you figure out what skills are most in-demand locally? I'm wondering if I could use this slow period to actually strengthen my position for the future, whether that's through better consulting opportunities or finding a good W-2 position that complements my business.