Self-employed ‘gig’ workers included in coronavirus bailout bill
Self-employed workers and independent contractors will likely see some financial relief thanks to a bill passed by the U.S. Senate Wednesday night to boost the economy.
Section 2102 of the bill creates what is being called the temporary Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program. It is designed to expand unemployment rolls to those not traditionally eligible for unemployment benefits, including self-employed workers, independent contractors, and those with limited work history.
The bill is set for a vote in the House on Friday.
“It’s actually pretty good,” said John Arsenmeyer, founder and CEO of Small Business Majority, a nonprofit advocacy group. “It may not be enough as this thing plays out. But for now, this one was pretty good.”
The bill provides a cash infusion to states to expand unemployment rolls for an additional 16 weeks, while providing an extra $600 a week on top of their state’s current benefits. Florida currently provides up to $275 a week for as many as 12 weeks.
The latest proposal comes on top of one signed last week by President Donald Trump that provides a tax credit to workers, including self-employed and gig workers, who have lost work as a result of the coronavirus.
The new proposal helps clarify that program by making the tax credit immediately available — workers will no longer have to wait until they file their quarterly taxes.
The new measures are big news for the more than 100,000 Uber and Lyft drivers in Florida. Harry Campbell, a ride-share consultant and founder and CEO of The Rideshare Guy, a web resource for drivers, called the legislation “a big win.”
“Rideshare is pretty much in free-fall,” he said, noting that for many drivers, ferrying passengers has become their primary earnings source. “Extending unemployment benefits on top of the check they’re saying everyone is going to be getting is going to help a lot of drivers.”
So what can you do if you’re self-employed? As soon as the bill becomes law, you should apply for unemployment through the state, says Michele Evermore, senior policy analyst at the National Employment Law Project, a nonprofit research group. Just make sure you have income documentation.
This story was originally published March 26, 2020 at 11:10 AM with the headline "Self-employed ‘gig’ workers included in coronavirus bailout bill."
