Unemployment Benefits For The Self-Employed, Independent Contractors, And Gig-Economy Workers: Lawyer On The Front Lines Answers Common Questions

Forbes published a helpful article today about what it takes to collect the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits. The process starts by individuals applying for unemployment with the State, and then being denied for collections of those benefits.

Until now, self-employed people out of work couldn’t collect unemployment benefits. Thanks to the CARES Act, passed by Congress in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the its economic impacts, the self-employed can now obtain unemployment benefits if their income has been affected by the crisis.

However, this is an entirely new situation. State unemployment systems are overwhelmed, and the rules are not clear. What do you need to do to qualify for benefits? How much will you get? These and other questions abound among self-employed people now seeking crisis relief.

The full article continues in a series of questions and answers with a Massachusetts attorney. It's worth reading if you are trying to collect unemployment and are struggling with the system.

Unemployment Benefits For The Self-Employed, Independent Contractors, And Gig-Economy Workers: Lawyer On The Front Lines Answers Common Questions