How to fill out Washington ESD unemployment for self-employed - totally confused

Self-employed individuals can qualify for regular unemployment benefits in Washington if you paid into the system through the Voluntary Unemployment Insurance program. If you didn't pay into that program, you unfortunately won't qualify for regular UI benefits. The application process is different - you'll need to show your Schedule C from your tax returns and business records.

Wait, are you sure about this? I thought self-employed people could get benefits now after all the changes. My cousin was self-employed and got unemployment last year.

I went through this exact same confusion when I was trying to get help with my Washington ESD claim. The phone lines are always busy and it's impossible to get through to ask questions. Someone on here mentioned this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually gets you through to Washington ESD agents. I was skeptical but tried it and actually got connected to talk to someone who explained my options. They have a video demo too: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ

The whole system is set up for traditional employees, not people like us who work for ourselves. It's frustrating that they make it so complicated when your business fails through no fault of your own.

Actually, let me clarify something important. Washington State does have the Voluntary Unemployment Insurance program for self-employed individuals, but you have to sign up for it BEFORE you need benefits. You can't apply for it after your business has already failed. For 2025, you needed to have been paying premiums quarterly.

I'm in the same boat - had a freelance design business that completely tanked. Even if we can't get unemployment, are there other resources? This is really stressful.

The key thing people don't realize is that unemployment insurance is exactly that - insurance. Just like car insurance, you have to pay premiums to be covered. Most self-employed people never opt into the voluntary program because they don't think they'll need it.

Can I ask - for those who did pay into the voluntary program, how does the application process work? Do you still have to fill out employer information?

Has anyone tried just applying anyway to see what happens? Maybe they'll accept the application and figure it out later?

I actually used that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier and it was really helpful. The Washington ESD agent I spoke with was able to pull up my records and confirm that I never paid into the voluntary program, so I knew right away I wasn't eligible for regular UI benefits. Saved me from filing an application that would just get denied.

For what it's worth, I was self-employed and never paid into the voluntary program, but I was able to get hired as a contractor and then became eligible for regular unemployment when that contract ended. Might be worth looking into contract work to get back into the system.

This whole thread is making me realize how much I don't know about unemployment benefits. Are there other programs like this that self-employed people should know about?

The frustrating thing is that as self-employed, we pay self-employment taxes which include Social Security and Medicare, but we don't get unemployment coverage unless we specifically opt in. Seems backwards.

I'm curious - how much does the voluntary unemployment insurance cost? Is it worth it for small business owners?

At this point I'm just trying to figure out what other assistance programs might be available. Has anyone looked into food assistance or other support while transitioning from self-employment?

One more option to consider - if you have any 1099 income from this year, you might be able to file a claim based on that work if the client considers you an employee rather than a contractor. It's worth checking into.

This thread has been really helpful. I'm in a similar situation and didn't know about any of these programs. Going to call Washington ESD tomorrow to see what my options are.

The bottom line is that most self-employed people aren't eligible for regular unemployment benefits unless they specifically paid into the voluntary program. It's harsh but that's how the system works.

For anyone reading this who is still self-employed - seriously consider signing up for the voluntary unemployment insurance program. You never know when you might need it, and it's much cheaper than trying to survive without any income.

Thanks everyone for all the information. This thread has been more helpful than anything I found on the Washington ESD website. At least now I know what my options are and aren't.

I'm in a really similar situation - my graphic design business completely dried up after losing my biggest client. Reading through all these comments has been eye-opening. I had no idea about the voluntary unemployment insurance program either, and like most of you, I'm definitely not eligible since I never paid into it. It's frustrating that as self-employed people we're kind of left out in the cold when things go wrong. I'm going to look into some of the other resources mentioned here like WorkSource and DSHS programs. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - at least now I know I'm not alone in this situation and there might be some other options out there.