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Thread: Unemployment for gig workers, freelancers and independent contractors

  1. #1
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    Default Unemployment for gig workers, freelancers and independent contractors

    So the quarantine started as early as mid-March for some places. It's now almost through the 1st week of April. I've lost a good bit of income at this point, because I can't go to work and this doesn't include the freefall of the stock market due to this mess. Usually, I travel out of state for work, but there is nowhere to go and travel is limited.

    I'm trying to find freelance work online but I'm having absolutely no luck, but still trying. I figure now is the time to set up my freelancing gigs and work on that side of my business and maybe gain some traction; however, still no luck. So I'm getting anxious about money and when this whole thing will end.

    So I decided to apply for unemployment online through my state since we are eligible. I figure that I pay into the pie, I might as well get a part of it. I even pay into my state's unemployment insurance fund, even though usually I'm not eligible for benefits. The issue is that in applying I got so far as getting my username and password through the state system and then a voice mail that said that the state is still waiting for the federal government to advise them as to how to proceed. The unemployment benefits for gig/freelance and independent contractor workers is coming from the federal government but administered by the states.

    My question is: Are we going to be awarded some of the federal unemployment benefits retroactively? Quarantine ends for some states beginning of May, which gives us 3 more weeks out of work, maybe a little more but hopefully not much and some of us have already lost income over the last several weeks due to the quarantine as a result of this virus. but it seems that the communication between the federal and state governments won't even happen until almost the end of quarantine. What if we are able to apply for benefits only as this thing is ending? Do we get some of the money we lost via unemployment retroactively? I'm almost thinking that some of the promised unemployment is a lie.

    Also, just a little rant: this mess would not ever have happened if humans weren't so horrid. The root of it all is animal cruelty. This illness is the only way for nature to fight back. It's too bad so many innocent people are paying for it, literally.

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  3. #2
    God/dess Zofia's Avatar
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    Default Re: Unemployment for gig workers, freelancers and independent contractors

    Quote Originally Posted by ZeroSugarMonster View Post
    ...My question is: Are we going to be awarded some of the federal unemployment benefits retroactively?
    The statute (CARES Act) seems to imply that the awards will be retroactive to the date your club closed due to the closure of non-essential businesses.

    ... but it seems that the communication between the federal and state governments won't even happen until almost the end of quarantine.
    Congress is always impractical and generally out of touch.

    What if we are able to apply for benefits only as this thing is ending? Do we get some of the money we lost via unemployment retroactively?
    Retroactive seems to be how they will handle it. I know in regular unemployment it is common for there to be a lump sum award of retroactive benefits. So, I expect that to be the case this time.

    I'm almost thinking that some of the promised unemployment is a lie.
    I don't think the CARES Act is a lie, but I do think that a lot of state unemployment commissions would really rather not hand out money.

    HTH
    Z

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    Default Re: Unemployment for gig workers, freelancers and independent contractors

    Zofia, do you know if I'm understanding the wording correctly as far as the dates go? What I'm gathering is that the expansion (so, just the state benefit amount for contractors) is retroactive to January if you were unemployed then, but the extra $600 (for both regular employees & contractors) appears to only be from the March 27th date?
    "People jack off with the left hand and point with the right."

    "You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave."

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    God/dess Zofia's Avatar
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    Default Re: Unemployment for gig workers, freelancers and independent contractors

    I think March 27.

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    Default Re: Unemployment for gig workers, freelancers and independent contractors

    Got some new guidance from the NC Employment Security Commission. For those of you who are unemployed for the period starting March 29, 2020 and gives $600/week in addition to any state benefits you may be entitled to.That goes through July 31, 2020. This is not officially requiring the unemployment being CV19 related. This is in addition to your state unemployment. However, if you are not eligible for state UI benefits, you can still get the federal pandemic unemployment compensation (FPUC). My hairdresser said NC denied her because she is self-employed. NC made a mistake. I told her to appeal the decision and cite the FPUC in the CARES Act. We will see what happens to her, and others.

    Hoping everyone is safe.

    XOXO
    Z

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