Unemployment for Self-Employed and Gig Workers in New York
Whether 1099 contractors, gig workers and the self-employed can collect unemployment in New York, and what misclassified workers can do.
Short answer: New York's Self-Employment Assistance Program (SEAP) lets eligible people collecting unemployment benefits work full time on starting their own business instead of looking for a job, and business earnings are not deducted from benefits. New York State Department of Labor, Self-Employment Assistance Program
| Self-employed, 1099 and gig workers | New York's Self-Employment Assistance Program (SEAP) lets eligible people collecting unemployment benefits work full time on starting their own business instead of looking for a job, and business earnings are not deducted from benefits. To apply you must be at least 18, have at least 13 more weeks of benefits available, have received an invitation letter from the Department of Labor or be classified as a dislocated worker, and be new to SEAP; the business must be in New York, and you must be a first-time owner of that type of business. You must have written acceptance into SEAP before starting the business while collecting benefits. |
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Where to get help in New York
More New York unemployment benefits
- Logging In to Your New York Unemployment Claim
- Unemployment After Being Fired in New York
- Unemployment After Quitting in New York
- How Much Unemployment Pays in New York
- How to File for Unemployment in New York
- All New York unemployment benefits rules
FAQ
Can self-employed or gig workers get unemployment in New York?
New York's Self-Employment Assistance Program (SEAP) lets eligible people collecting unemployment benefits work full time on starting their own business instead of looking for a job, and business earnings are not deducted from benefits. To apply you must be at least 18, have at least 13 more weeks of benefits available, have received an invitation letter from the Department of Labor or be classified as a dislocated worker, and be new to SEAP; the business must be in New York, and you must be a first-time owner of that type of business. You must have written acceptance into SEAP before starting the business while collecting benefits.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.