Can I receive benefits after being self-employed for 7 years?

Question

I have been self employed for the last 6 years and my business shut down in January 2013.

I worked for a company for one year prior to being self employed and another company for 12 years prior to that.  Can I receive unemployment benefits and how soon?  I have been applying on line for the past 12 months with no success.

Thank you

Answer 1

In most cases, self employed workers and/or freelance workers who lose their income are not eligible for unemployment benefits.

 That's because employers contribute to a fund for unemployment benefits and if you are operating as self employed, you may have not made contributions towards it.

Visit the labor department in your state to gather further info on other benefits available to self employed.