How to report Doordash/Amazon Flex earnings on weekly ESD claim without delaying benefits?

You definitely need to report any earnings in the week you WORKED (not when you got paid). ESD asks about this specifically in your weekly claim. When you file your weekly claim, there's a question asking if you worked or earned any money during that week. You'll select 'yes' and report the gross earnings (before taxes/expenses). It shouldn't delay your payments as long as you're honest and consistent. Just know that your weekly benefit amount will be reduced based on your earnings. For every $3 you earn, your benefit is reduced by about $1 (but this varies slightly depending on your situation). Make sure to keep track of your hours worked and earnings each day. The ESD system will ask you to break it down by day. And no, reporting earnings like this normally doesn't trigger a review - it's a routine part of the process that the system handles automatically.

The ESD system is SO BROKEN when it comes to gig workers!!! I did Uber last year while on UI and they put my claim on hold for THREE WEEKS because their stupid system couldn't understand the difference between being self-employed vs. having a regular job. Had to call like 50 times to get it fixed. They make EVERYTHING needlessly complicated! Just be prepared for their system to completely freak out when you report anything that isn't a standard W-2 job. 🤬

i report instacart earnings evry week no problem. just put the amount u made that week. they dont care about ur expenses or miles or whatever, just put the total amount before any deductions. ui will just be less that week but at least u get something

If you're having trouble getting through to ESD about how to properly report your gig work (which is a common issue), I've had success using Claimyr to connect with an ESD agent. Saved me hours of redial hell. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 Regarding your question, here's what you need to know specifically about gig work reporting: 1. Report gross earnings for the week you performed the work 2. Keep screenshots of your earnings from the app as proof in case of audit 3. You CAN'T deduct expenses on your weekly claim - that's only for tax purposes 4. Your UI benefit will be reduced but NOT eliminated if you're below your weekly benefit amount 5. The 75% rule: generally if you earn less than 75% of your weekly benefit amount, you'll still get some UI

Just jumping in to say I'm in the same boat! I started doing InstaCart while on unemployment and was so nervous about reporting it wrong. What worked for me was keeping a simple spreadsheet with the date, hours worked, and amount earned each day. Then when I do my weekly claim I just copy those numbers in. Haven't had any issues so far!

I'm an accountant who has helped several clients with this exact situation. Here are some important clarifications: 1. You must report GROSS earnings in the week you PERFORMED the work (not when paid) 2. For gig work like Doordash, this means the total amount BEFORE they take out their fee 3. Job search requirements still apply - you need 3 job search activities each week 4. ESD uses this formula: Weekly benefit - (earnings - $5) * 0.75 = what you receive 5. If your earnings exceed your weekly benefit amount, you won't receive UI for that week, but your claim stays active Keep meticulous records. The ESD system automatically flags accounts with irregular earning patterns for potential audit. Having documentation ready will save you headaches if this happens.

Does anybody know if they check with these companies? Like does ESD somehow verify with Doordash what you made? I'm worried about accidentally reporting the wrong amount!

Thank you all for the helpful information! I'm going to give it a try this weekend and make sure to track everything carefully. One last question - if I only work a few hours and make less than $50, is it even worth reporting? Seems like a lot of hassle for such a small amount.

I've been doing DoorDash while on unemployment for about 2 months now and wanted to share my experience. The key things that have worked for me: 1. I use the DoorDash app's earnings tab to track everything - it shows you daily totals which makes weekly reporting super easy 2. I always report in the week I worked, not when I got paid (like others mentioned) 3. For Amazon Flex, they send you a weekly summary email that breaks down your earnings by day - save those! 4. I've never had my claim put on hold for reporting gig work, as long as you're consistent and honest One tip that's saved me stress: I set a weekly earnings limit for myself based on my UI benefit amount. If my weekly benefit is $400, I try to keep gig earnings under $300 so I still get some UI payment. This way I'm making extra money without completely losing my benefits for that week. The gas costs are rough, I totally get that! I started only accepting orders that pay at least $2 per mile to help offset fuel costs. You can't deduct expenses on your weekly claim, but definitely track them for tax season. Good luck with your daughter's birthday - it's really sweet that you're working extra to make it special for her! 💙

I'm in a similar situation and have been hesitant to try gig work while on UI because I was worried about the reporting requirements. Reading through everyone's experiences here is really reassuring! One thing I'm curious about - for those who've been doing this successfully, do you find it affects your job search requirements at all? Like, does ESD expect you to still be doing 3 job searches per week even if you're earning money through gig work? I want to make sure I'm staying compliant with all the requirements, not just the earnings reporting part. Also @Paolo Romano - I think it's really thoughtful that you're doing this for your daughter's birthday. That extra effort to make her day special while navigating unemployment shows what a caring parent you are!

I've been doing Instacart while on unemployment for about 6 months and wanted to add a few practical tips that have helped me avoid any issues with ESD: **Weekly Claim Process:** - I file my weekly claim every Sunday and report earnings from Monday-Sunday of the previous week - The ESD online system asks "Did you work or earn money?" - always answer honestly, even for small amounts - When you select "yes," it opens up fields where you enter the total gross earnings and hours worked for each day **What to Track:** - Daily earnings (gross amount before any platform fees) - Hours worked each day - Screenshot your weekly earnings summary from the app **The Reality Check:** With gas costs, you're right to be cautious about long-term sustainability. I typically only work during peak hours (dinner rush, weekend mornings) to maximize earnings per hour and minimize driving time. **Benefit Calculation:** If your weekly UI benefit is $300 and you earn $150 from gig work, you'll still receive partial UI (around $190 total for the week). So you end up with more money than just UI alone, which sounds perfect for your daughter's birthday fund! The system is actually pretty straightforward once you do it a few times. No delays in my experience as long as you're consistent with reporting. Good luck! 🎂

I've been doing gig work while on UI for about 4 months now and wanted to share something that might help with your gas concerns! I started carpooling with another gig worker in my area - we take turns using each other's cars and split the gas costs. It's made DoorDash way more profitable for both of us, especially on busy nights. For reporting to ESD, I keep it simple: I use a notes app on my phone to track daily earnings right after each shift, then transfer those numbers to my weekly claim. The most important thing is consistency - report the same way every week and you won't have issues. One thing I wish someone had told me when I started: DoorDash earnings can vary wildly day to day, so I always aim to work enough early in the week to hit my target rather than waiting until the weekend. That way if I have a slow day, I still have time to make up the difference. Your daughter is lucky to have such a thoughtful parent! Those extra birthday funds will definitely be worth the temporary hustle. 💝

I've been doing Amazon Flex while collecting UI for the past few months and can share what's worked for me! The reporting process is actually pretty straightforward once you get the hang of it. **Key things that have helped me:** - Amazon Flex sends you earnings statements that break down exactly what you made each day, which makes weekly reporting super easy - I always report the gross amount (what customers paid) in the week I actually worked, not when it hit my bank account - Keep screenshots of your daily earnings from the app - I've never been audited, but it's good peace of mind **Gas cost reality check:** Amazon Flex tends to be better for gas efficiency than DoorDash since you're doing fewer stops per mile. I typically aim for routes that pay at least $18-20/hour after factoring in gas costs. The 3-4 hour blocks work well because you can plan around peak traffic times. **Benefit impact:** My weekly UI is $320, and when I earn around $200 from Flex, I still get about $175 in UI benefits. So I end up with almost $400 total for the week instead of just the $320 from UI alone. The birthday fund goal is so sweet! Amazon Flex might actually be perfect for a short-term boost since you can pick up blocks when they're available rather than committing to regular shifts. Just make sure you're still doing your 3 weekly job searches - ESD definitely still requires those even when you're doing gig work. Good luck! 🎉

I've been doing a mix of DoorDash and Amazon Flex while on UI for about 3 months and wanted to share what's worked for me, especially since you mentioned concerns about gas costs! **My approach:** - I treat it like "strategic gig work" - only accepting high-paying orders/blocks during peak times - For DoorDash: I never accept anything under $6.50 or less than $1.50/mile - For Amazon Flex: I only grab the 3-4 hour blocks that pay $60+ (usually surge pricing) **Reporting to ESD:** - I report gross earnings for the week I worked (not when paid) - Keep daily screenshots from both apps - makes weekly claims super easy - Never had any delays or holds on my benefits doing this **Gas efficiency tips:** - Amazon Flex is definitely better for gas mileage - you're driving to a hub, then making deliveries in a concentrated area - DoorDash can be brutal on gas if you're not picky about orders - I track my actual profit after gas and aim for at least $15/hour net **The math that works:** My UI is $280/week. When I make $150-200 in gig work, I still get partial UI benefits, so I end up with $350-400 total. That extra $70-120 per week adds up fast for special occasions like birthdays! You're being such a great parent prioritizing your daughter's special day. This approach should definitely help you reach your $100-200 goal without jeopardizing your benefits. Just remember to stay consistent with job searching - gig work is considered supplemental, so you still need those 3 weekly job search activities. Good luck! 🚗💸

I've been doing both DoorDash and Amazon Flex while on UI for about 8 months now, and I wanted to add some practical advice that might help you succeed with this! **Weekly Planning Strategy:** I actually plan my gig work around my UI benefit amount to maximize total income. If my weekly benefit is $300, I aim to earn around $200-250 from gig work, which still leaves me with partial UI benefits. This way I'm making $450-500 total per week instead of just $300 from UI alone. **App-Specific Tips:** - DoorDash: Use the "Dash Now" feature during dinner rush (5-8pm) and weekend mornings - much better pay per hour - Amazon Flex: The warehouse blocks (not Whole Foods) tend to be more predictable routes and better for gas mileage - Both apps show your gross earnings clearly, which is exactly what you report to ESD **ESD Reporting Reality:** I've never had my claim delayed or put on hold for reporting gig work. The key is consistency - report the same way every single week. The online system handles it automatically as long as you're honest about your earnings and hours. **Birthday Fund Strategy:** Since this is short-term for your daughter's birthday, I'd suggest setting a specific dollar goal and timeframe. If you need an extra $200 and have 3 weeks, that's about $65-70 per week in gig earnings - totally doable with just a few strategic shifts! Your daughter is going to have such a special birthday knowing how hard you're working to make it memorable. The temporary gas costs will be so worth it for those birthday memories! 🎂✨

I've been doing gig work while on UI for about 5 months and wanted to share what's worked best for me since you're dealing with gas concerns! **My Setup:** I focus on Amazon Flex because it's way more gas-efficient than DoorDash - you drive to one location, pick up packages, then deliver in a concentrated route rather than driving all over town between restaurants and customers. **Earnings vs Benefits Balance:** My weekly UI is $265. When I do 2-3 Amazon Flex blocks per week (earning around $180), I still get about $130 in UI benefits. So I end up with roughly $310 total instead of just $265 - that extra $45/week really adds up! **Reporting Process:** Super straightforward - Amazon Flex gives you clear earnings summaries that show exactly what to report. I always report gross earnings for the week I worked, and I've never had any delays or issues with ESD. Just be consistent every week. **Birthday Fund Goal:** For your $100-200 goal, you could easily hit that with just 1-2 weeks of strategic Amazon Flex shifts during busy times (weekends, evenings). Way less wear and tear on your car than DoorDash! **Pro Tip:** Sign up for both platforms but start with Amazon Flex first since it's easier on gas. You can always add DoorDash later if you need to hit higher earnings targets. Your daughter is going to have such an amazing birthday! It's really sweet how you're planning ahead to make it special for her. Good luck with everything! 🎉