Can you get Washington ESD unemployment from a contract job - confused about eligibility

That's what I was afraid of. The company treated me like an employee in many ways though - I had to work their schedule, use their equipment, follow their processes. Does that matter?

That could actually matter a lot! If you were misclassified as a contractor when you should have been an employee, Washington ESD might determine you're eligible. You'd need to file a claim and let them investigate the work relationship.

This gives me hope! How did you document everything for the investigation? Did you need to provide contracts or emails?

I kept copies of emails showing they set my schedule, photos of the company equipment I used, and my original contract. Also wrote down specific examples of how they controlled my work methods.

Thanks for the suggestion! I've been dreading trying to call Washington ESD because I know how hard it is to get through. I'll check out that Claimyr thing.

I used Claimyr last month when I had questions about my adjudication status. Way better than sitting on hold for hours just to get disconnected.

It's not that simple. Many people are misclassified as contractors when they should legally be employees. Washington ESD looks at the actual work relationship, not just what the employer calls it.

oh i didnt know that was a thing. so the government can override what the company says?

I definitely fit several of those criteria. I worked exclusively for them, used all their equipment, and had zero control over my schedule. Going to file tomorrow.

Good luck! The process can take a while but it's worth pursuing if you think you were misclassified.

Wow, so there can be consequences for the employer too? That's interesting.

Yeah, if they determine misclassification, the employer has to pay back the unemployment taxes they should have been paying all along. It's a big deal.

Thanks for the professional perspective! That makes me feel more confident about filing.

What are the main red flags that suggest someone was misclassified?

Key signs: working set hours, using company equipment, having work methods controlled by the employer, working exclusively for one client, being integrated into the company's regular business operations, and lack of opportunity for profit/loss.

It's very common! A lot of people don't realize they might have been misclassified. If you're between jobs now, it might be worth looking into.

yeah maybe i should. the job ended 2 months ago though, is it too late to file?

You generally need to file within a certain timeframe, but 2 months isn't necessarily too late. Check with Washington ESD about backdating your claim.

Good point, I'll ask about any alternative programs when I call.

Washington did have some pandemic programs for contractors but I think those ended. Regular UI is probably the only option now unless you were misclassified.

Two months seems like a long time to wait, but I guess it's worth it if I'm entitled to benefits.

It felt like forever while I was waiting, but the backpay once approved covered the whole period. Just make sure to keep filing your weekly claims even during the investigation.

Exactly! Nothing to lose and potentially benefits to gain.

That's the conclusion I'm coming to. Thanks everyone for all the advice!

Great tip! I'll make sure to be thorough in describing the actual working relationship rather than just the title they gave me.

Yeah, and keep copies of everything you submit. You might need to reference it later during the investigation process.

Glad this discussion was useful! Misclassification is unfortunately very common, especially in certain industries like tech, construction, and delivery services.

Same here! Never occurred to me that my "contract" position might have actually been regular employment.

I actually tried Claimyr after your first suggestion and it worked great! Finally got to talk to someone who could explain the investigation process in detail.

How much does something like that cost? Might be worth it if it saves hours of calling.

Much less than you'd think, especially compared to the time and frustration it saves. Check their site for current info.

Thanks for the encouragement! Filed my claim this morning and feeling optimistic about the process.

Good luck! Hope it works out in your favor.

Thanks everyone! This thread gave me the confidence to pursue what I'm entitled to. Will update if anything interesting happens with my case.