
Freelancers, independent contractors, gig workers and other self-employed individuals don’t typically qualify for unemployment benefits when they lose their jobs. That is no longer the case, under provisions in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) Act enacted in late March.
But gig workers across the Washington region are reporting an onslaught of problems, delays and confusion when applying for benefits — and when they call their local unemployment offices seeking information, they’re met with extremely long wait times.
WAMU gathered information from unemployment offices in D.C., Maryland and Virginia and spoke with a couple of experts to get answers for independent contractors trying to collect benefits. Here is everything we’ve learned so far.
Have a question we didn’t answer? Send it to us using the form below.
I’m an independent contractor or gig worker out of work due to the pandemic. Am I eligible for unemployment insurance?
You probably are, on a temporary basis. The CARES act established a new program called Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, or PUA. It extends weekly unemployment benefits to the following groups:
- Self-employed individuals;
- People seeking part-time work;
- Existing claimants who have maxed out their unemployment benefits (technically called “exhaustees”);
- Clergy and employees of religious organizations;
- People without sufficient work history normally required to qualify for benefits.
- You have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or you’re experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and you’re seeking a medical diagnosis;
- A member of your household has been diagnosed with COVID-19;
- You’re providing care for a member of your family or household who has been diagnosed with COVID-19;
- A child or household member for whom you are a primary caregiver can’t attend school or another facility that is closed because of COVID-19, and the school or facility is required for you to work;
- You can’t reach your place of employment because of a mandatory quarantine or because you’ve been advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine due to concerns about COVID-19;
- You were scheduled to start working but you lost the job or can’t reach the job as a direct result of COVID-19;
- You’ve become the breadwinner or major support for a household because the head of household has died of COVID-19;
- You had to quit your job as a direct result of COVID-19; or
- Your place of employment is closed as a direct result of COVID-19.