Results 1 to 9 of 9

Hybrid View

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Posts
    5

    Default Performing Freelance Work While Collecting Unemployment

    My question involves unemployment benefits for the state of: Colorado.

    1. I have done freelance in addition to a daytime job for the last 10 months or so. My last freelance gig was in March. Obviously, it's sporadic. I will have to pay self employment tax on that come the end of the year.

    2. I was laid off from my daytime job Sept 16. I filed UI promptly.

    3. Benefits are just now kicking (yay) but no new job yet (bummer). But, I've agreed to do some freelance for a few gigs that will require me to be an independent contractor. It's not fulltime or more than 32 hours a week, but it will definitely pay more than my measly $331/week UI benefit.

    My concern is that the state will now consider me self employed and bump me from UI benefits once I report that I worked as a 1099 contractor while on UI. Is that the case? I was free and able to work, and since I write or research when I'm freelancing, I can do this remotely and whatever hours I want.

    I've kept a log of jobs I've applied to and all contacts made (51 in 5 weeks - ouch). Obviously I plan on reporting this work when I file, but I've heard of people getting shut down because they had 1099 work.

    I didn't start a new business - just carried on something I've done in the past, and I'm cool with not getting paid the weeks I work, but I am worried I'll be shut down for it.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    OH10
    Posts
    17,019

    Default Re: Freelance Work and Unemployment: Colorado

    You are still employed at your own job. You should have been reporting your wages. You are not likely qualified legally for UI.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    OH10
    Posts
    17,019

    Default Re: Freelance Work and Unemployment: Colorado

    Then you have not been working at the position for ten months. Your presentation suggested you were under contract work with one account. As long as you informed them you do free lance it should be fine. If you have not, inform them you have the ability to do so and are going to be earning money.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Posts
    5

    Default Re: Freelance Work and Unemployment: Colorado

    Oh, no. I don't have a current contract. I just meant, for a period of about ten months, I've had sporadic random work.

    My question is, if I start to do freelance again - and I want to, it's good for my resume - will the UI office determine I'm now "self employed"?! I have an opportunity to do some 1099 work, but I'm afraid I'll be "self-employed" now.

    FYI, said contract work doesn't even require me to leave my house. It's all done remotely, and I could take a fulltime job if offered.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    OH10
    Posts
    17,019

    Default Re: Freelance Work and Unemployment: Colorado

    The point is you have income you are not reporting.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Posts
    5

    Default Re: Freelance Work and Unemployment: Colorado

    Can you please explain this? I was laid off five weeks ago. I haven't worked since. How do I have income I'm not reporting??

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Posts
    19,901

    Default Re: Freelance Work and Unemployment: Colorado

    I think there is some misunderstanding in the dates above. However, now that you are on unemployment remember you must still be actively seeking work. The part time stuff is usually fine but you must report it (and it will decrease your benefit).

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Posts
    5

    Default Re: Freelance Work and Unemployment: Colorado

    I understand it will decrease my benefit and I am OK with that. It pays more, though, and I was told (and have read all of these anecdotal stories) about UI getting stopped or denied completely because someone had 1099 work. This was my fear, that the state will suddenly say, "You started a business!" or suddenly stop benefits and it will take weeks to re-open. Also, if you make more than UI benefits for two weeks in a row, don't they shut down your claim?

    I'm definitely making required number of contacts. I have a running Excel file. Of course I'd rather be fulltime employed instead of this junk.

    1. Sponsored Links
       

Similar Threads

  1. Unemployment Benefits: Collecting Unemployment with Freelance Work/Additional Income Possibilities
    By mntnjam21 in forum Employment and Labor
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 12-08-2011, 07:46 PM
  2. Unemployment Benefits: Unemployment and Freelance Work
    By sweetheart1311 in forum Employment and Labor
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 06-27-2010, 10:56 PM
  3. Unemployment Benefits: Collecting Unemployment While Not Reporting Freelance Income
    By algorythm in forum Employment and Labor
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 02-16-2010, 08:16 PM
  4. Unemployment Benefits: Collecting Unemployment After Freelance Work
    By crdesign in forum Employment and Labor
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 04-21-2009, 01:11 PM
  5. Unemployment Benefits: Work Freelance While on Unemployment
    By fsjay in forum Employment and Labor
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 02-23-2009, 10:22 PM
 
 
Sponsored Links

Legal Help, Information and Resources