The WHYY mid-week roundup of coronavirus news had good news for freelancers whose employment has been impacted by coronavirus as well as a recap of NJBIA’s survey on businesses ready to reopen.
“New Jersey’s self-employed workers, gig workers and independent contractors will start hearing Wednesday whether they qualify for unemployment benefits,”writer Nicholas Pugliese the state Department of Labor announced.
It’s a false statement. I am a “gig” worker in NJ who filed an original claim on March 21st 2020 and was denied. This is step one in the New Jersey pandemic Unemployment nightmare. As required, I filed my second claim on April 14th, 2020. I entered the exact amount of self employment earning from my federal and NJ 2019 tax returns. Once I filed i was given a confirmation number. Today is April 30th and I have not heard anything from NJ Department of Labor. Governor Murphy said at a press conference that “gig” workers would be contacted on April 29th by the NJ department of labor about there benefit amount and the date they can claim benefits. I have not heard anything from the NJ dept of labor. Our Governor should either open up the State of NJ for business or pay us our promised unemployment. There is nothing else to say governor except get yourself a beach chair and prepare to be humiliated like your predispose.
I am a small business owner of women’s apparel and accessories in Ridgewood, NJ for 52 years. It is my main livelihood.
I am on a draw account and of course I file and pay taxes yearly. I have a part time employee that comes in as needed.
Since retail has been going downhill I have been working the store by myself thus putting in about 60 Hours a week.
The only source that I filed for was the EIDL.
Please let me know if there is anything I can file for.
It is my only source of income.