How to Start a Business While on Unemployment

Depending on your state, you may be limited in how much money you can make while receiving unemployment benefits—but you may also access free resources to put you on the road to self-employment.

Ready to start your business? Plans start at $0 + filing fees.

Trustpilot star rating bar
how to start a business while on unemployment

Contents

Updated on: November 22, 2023
Read time: 3 min

While losing your job may be devastating, it opens up the possibility of doing something you love—and getting paid for it. Many people think it's impossible to start their own business while on unemployment. It isn't.

Will Ward, an entrepreneur and CEO of Translation Equipment HQ, has founded multiple businesses. "Though unfortunate, unemployment can be a great opportunity to take the entrepreneurial route," he says.

woman-looking-at-post-it-notes-planning

Restrictions on starting a business while on unemployment

"There's no prohibition that denies people the right to start a business during unemployment," Ward says. "The only restriction will be in terms of the amount of available time you have to invest in your business."

Your time might be limited because of the requirement that you actively seek employment—and be available if a job presents itself—while you're receiving unemployment benefits. The exact requirements vary based on your state labor department's rules. Look up your state's requirements on the U.S. Department of Labor's website, CareerOneStop.

One thing you can count on is that should you make any money from your new venture while receiving unemployment benefits, you will have to report those funds to the unemployment office. Depending on your state, your benefits could decrease or disappear.

Samuel Otto, CPA and founder of Uncle Sam's Accounting, shares his experience.

"During the first several weeks of setting up my business, I did not generate much in the way of revenue," he says. "So I filed for unemployment. I did report the little revenue I had gotten and the fact that I was doing some self-employment. I was still granted the normal unemployment benefits, plus the $600 pandemic assistance. After several weeks, I started earning an income again. I stopped filing for unemployment as, ethically and legally, I no longer needed the benefits."

Where can you find clients?

Marketing can be challenging for first-time business owners. One way to learn how to market your business is to contact your local SCORE office, an organization of retired executives who volunteer to mentor new business owners in every aspect of starting and maintaining a business.

In the meantime, and "depending upon your skillset," says Joni Holderman, professional résumé writer and founder of Thrive! Résumés, "freelance sites like Upwork or Guru can help you land those first few clients."

What resources are available?

Some states, Ward says, offer Self-Employment Assistance (SEA) programs that encourage and enable unemployed workers to create their own jobs by starting small businesses.

To participate in SEA programs, you must be eligible for unemployment insurance. According to the U.S. Department of Labor's SEA website, "Individuals may even be eligible if they are engaged full time in self-employment activities—including entrepreneurial training, business counseling, and technical assistance."

SEA benefits equal the same weekly amounts as regular unemployment insurance benefits. The main difference is that you receive SEA benefits if you are working full time on starting a business instead of looking for a salaried job.

To file a SEA claim, contact your state's unemployment agency as soon as possible after becoming unemployed and ask whether a SEA operates in your state.

The only states currently participating in SEAs are:

  • Delaware
  • Mississippi
  • New Hampshire
  • New York
  • Oregon

Another resource is your local Small Business Development Center (SBDC), which works in partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor's Small Business Administration.

Through America's SBDC, you can find a counselor to lead you through the steps of business planning.

Other free resources include:

Starting your new business won't be easy. It will take thought, money, and a lot of legwork, but if you use the free resources available to you, especially finding a mentor through SCORE, you could quickly become your own boss.

Ready to start your business? Plans start at $0 + filing fees.Start My LLC
Twitter logoFacebook logoLinkedIn logoReddit logo

This article is for informational purposes. This content is not legal advice, it is the expression of the author and has not been evaluated by LegalZoom for accuracy or changes in the law.

43 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

The request I made for formation…

The request I made for formation documents was taken care of immediately and professionally. They were very helpful in getting me what I needed.

Bruce Fleishaker
120 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

I had the absolute pleasure of working…

I had the absolute pleasure of working with Maria as my business formation specialist at LegalZoom, and I couldn’t be more grateful for her support throughout the process of creating my LLC. From start to finish, Maria was patient, knowledgeable, and incredibly thorough. She took the time to answer every one of my questions—no matter how small—and walked me through each step with clarity and confidence. Starting a business can feel overwhelming, but Maria made the entire experience smooth and manageable. Her dedication, professionalism, and genuine care for her clients truly stood out. Thanks to her guidance, I felt supported and well-informed every step of the way. Thank you, Maria, for your outstanding service and for going above and beyond. You are truly an asset to the LegalZoom team!

Diego Louis
155 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

Using Legal Zoom made my business…

Using Legal Zoom made my business formation very easy. The program is user friendly and explains every step clearly.

Anna Silvia Mejia
184 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

Legal Zoom is a true one stop shop

This is the second company I have formed using Legal Zoom. They say what they are going to do and they do it. Legal Zoom provides all the tools and services you will need to quickly start your company, allowing you to focus on your business. The business formation specialist I spoke with, Juan was great; extremely knowledgeable and professional while giving me the feeling that I was talking with an old friend.

Steve Robbins
188 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

The agent was extremely helpful and…

The agent was extremely helpful and gave me the info that I was looking for. As soon as I got off of the phone with her, I got the official acceptance of my business formation!

Joshua Roberts
199 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

Seamless Support from Day One

I was impressed by how quickly Alan, my Business Formation Specialist, reached out to me. Having support from day one is incredibly reassuring, especially as I navigate starting my first business. I look forward to seeing how my relationship with LegalZoom and my experience with their services evolve.

Rosemart Aoki
213 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

ClarisseTravel Wine Tourism Agency

I recently utilized LegalZoom's services. The platform was user friendly, making the complex process of business formation straight forward and accessible. The customer service team was knowledgeable and responsive, promptly addressing all my inquiries. The efficiency and professionalism demonstrated by LegalZoom have provided me with confidence and peace of mind. I highly recommend their services to anyone seeking reliable business formation assistance.

ClarisseTravel LLC
213 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

The business formation specialist…

The business formation specialist Ramses Cardenas understood my needs and articulated well the company's product. I chose the pro package because it was my best option based on the information Ramses supplied. The process was quick easy and to the point.

Aaron Kinney
Rated4.6out of 5 based on24,056+ reviewson

Showing our favorite reviews