Will a claim filed on 2005 earnings get me unemployment benefits?

by anonymous
(usa)

Will a claim filed on 2005 earnings get me unemployment benefits?

I am a (former) small business owner/operator. I last took a paycheck in 2005. I paid myself and three other employees. The company was incorporated when it was in California. In 2006, trying to escape the worsening business situation in California, I moved the business into an adjacent state, letting all the employees go, becoming a sole proprietor and not taking a wage. Hung in there a long time, finally closed the business altogether in December. Can I collect unemployment insurance on all that money I paid into the system in 2003-2005? I also worked prior to that, in yet another state, from 1994 to 1999. I have not held a waged job since 2005 or reported any income anywhere. Sure could use the money.







Answer
Hi,

No, I don't think it's possible.

Not only are the rules about a "corporate officer" being able to collect unemployment after they close the business, state specific, but any unemployment claim is generally limited to going back a maximum of only 18 months, depending on the quarter you file the claim in, to look at wages earned in the "base period".

Undoubtedly, you are able and available now, but you've been a sole proprietor way to long.

If you're self employed .. unemployment is usually not an option unless the state allows you opt in for that.

As far as I know this is confined to corporations and you usually have to close the business before you can collect anyway to assure the department that you are able and available for work.