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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
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    4

    Default Can Independent Contractors Get Unemployment Benefits

    My question involves unemployment benefits for the state of: Georgia

    I was just laid off after 2 years with a company, and have been approved for the full benefits GA offers. This however is not enough to pay bills and live while looking for work, so my the old company I did freelance editing work for is letting me pick up a few jobs as I need the extra money to eat on. It takes 2 days to edit a project, so this work can be done on the weekend, while still actively looking full time for work. If she is giving me a 10-99, I know that I must claim the days that I work for her, even though I may not get paid that week, but a few questions I have are, if I am not getting paid for 3 weeks out of the month, edit a project to make ends meet, and do not claim the 4th week, will I have to restart my benefits the next month since it is considered self employment?

    Is there a certain amount that I make that begins to negatively effect my benefits? If so, is there a way for her to pay for the work in one large lump sum, as opposed to smaller weekly/biweekly checks?

    And if this happens more than a few months back to back while still looking for work, will they see the larger sum on my 10-99 and penalize me for claiming fraudulent benefits, even though I would report the weeks I did work?

    I just want to remain FULLY above the law, and be able to eat and pay my bills, while still receiving the benefits I have worked for and paid into...

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Massachusetts
    Posts
    24,521

    Default Re: Can Independent Contractors Get Unemployment Benefits

    Every state has a point at which the amount you earn will reduce the amount of benefits you receive FOR THAT WEEK. It does not affect other weeks unless you earn the same again in other weeks. The state will have to tell you what that amount is for GA.

    How your former employer pays you is entirely a matter between the two of you.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
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    38,867

    Default Re: Can Independent Contractors Get Unemployment Benefits

    Quote Quoting cbg
    View Post

    How your former employer pays you is entirely a matter between the two of you.
    to expand on that a bit for clarity sake:



    how you are paid, including when, does not affect your UI eligibility. It is when you earned the money that matters.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Posts
    4

    Default Re: Can Independent Contractors Get Unemployment Benefits

    My former boss is also a close personal friend. If she were to "loan" me one large lump sum to help in the hard times, and I were to repay that over the next year in small stages by helping her with projects here and there, is that considered "work" that I would need to report?

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Posts
    18,340

    Default Re: Can Independent Contractors Get Unemployment Benefits

    Technically, you and your friend would be guilty of defrauding the state.

    Sure, you might get away with it.

    Then again, you might not.

    Do you really want to take that kind of chance and end up with Zero weekly benefits and maybe criminal charges?

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Posts
    38,867

    Default Re: Can Independent Contractors Get Unemployment Benefits

    Quote Quoting Mografix
    View Post
    My former boss is also a close personal friend. If she were to "loan" me one large lump sum to help in the hard times, and I were to repay that over the next year in small stages by helping her with projects here and there, is that considered "work" that I would need to report?
    .

    well, let's dissect that:


    you work

    you earn income for that work

    the income derived is used to offset a loan you owe the boss

    are you seeing something in there one could be construed as it being considered work resulting in an earned income?

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Posts
    4

    Default Re: Can Independent Contractors Get Unemployment Benefits

    No I do not want to take that chance... I also know that I must supplement the UI benefits in some way... $330 a week is not enough to live on and pay bills with, especially if they are taking 10% federal and 6% state taxes out beforehand... If I claim that I worked for her, even 2 days a month, does this technically make me "self employed" and unable to collect the UI benefits? Working those 2 days would net an additional 500-700 a month depending on the project... Obviously that week would not be able to be claimed, however, would claiming that for one week of work discontinue further benefits, especially if it is a recurring thing every month while I look for work?

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