Unemployment for Self-Employed and Gig Workers in Oregon
Whether 1099 contractors, gig workers and the self-employed can collect unemployment in Oregon, and what misclassified workers can do.
Short answer: If you are an independent contractor collecting benefits, you must actively seek work as an employee; you can still look for self-employment work if it does not interfere with your availability. Oregon Employment Department, Unemployment Insurance Questions
| Self-employed, 1099 and gig workers | If you are an independent contractor collecting benefits, you must actively seek work as an employee; you can still look for self-employment work if it does not interfere with your availability. Oregon says gig workers are typically employees of the business, not independent contractors. Oregon's Self-Employment Assistance (SEA) program, open only to people getting regular unemployment benefits, lets approved claimants keep business proceeds and receive their full weekly benefit while working full time on starting a business, with work search requirements waived. Self-employment earnings must be reported. |
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Where to get help in Oregon
More Oregon unemployment benefits
- Logging In to Your Oregon Unemployment Claim
- Unemployment After Being Fired in Oregon
- Unemployment After Quitting in Oregon
- How Much Unemployment Pays in Oregon
- How to File for Unemployment in Oregon
- All Oregon unemployment benefits rules
FAQ
Can self-employed or gig workers get unemployment in Oregon?
If you are an independent contractor collecting benefits, you must actively seek work as an employee; you can still look for self-employment work if it does not interfere with your availability. Oregon says gig workers are typically employees of the business, not independent contractors. Oregon's Self-Employment Assistance (SEA) program, open only to people getting regular unemployment benefits, lets approved claimants keep business proceeds and receive their full weekly benefit while working full time on starting a business, with work search requirements waived. Self-employment earnings must be reported.
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.