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The Daily Insight

Can independent contractors file for unemployment and PPP?

Author

Abigail Rogers

Updated on March 21, 2026

If you are an independent contractor or self-employed, you may be eligible for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans/grants, SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), and/or Unemployment Compensation for losses of income related to the coronavirus pandemic.

Furthermore, can independent contractors take both PPP and unemployment?

Yes, but proceed with caution. There is no restriction on receiving both benefits, but as a general rule you should not use your PPP loan to cover your own compensation while at the same time receiving unemployment benefits.

Similarly, can Self Employed file for unemployment and PPP? You cannot receive unemployment benefits at the same time as a PPP loan. Answer: Sole proprietors should be eligible to receive PUA for any weeks in which they are not paying themselves through a PPP Loan, but you cannot receive both PPP loans and unemployment benefits at the same time.

Also asked, can you get PPP and unemployment?

Being on unemployment does not disqualify you from applying for a PPP loan. Receiving a PPP loan by itself does not disqualify you for unemployment.

Can an independent contractor get a PPP loan?

If you are an independent contractor or self-employed, you may be eligible for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans/grants, SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), and/or Unemployment Compensation for losses of income related to the coronavirus pandemic.

Related Question Answers

How do independent contractors get PPP forgiveness?

In order to receive full forgiveness for your PPP loan, self-employed workers need to follow these guidelines: Use at least 60% of your loan to cover “payroll costs,†which for self-employed workers is essentially their salaries (including wages, commission, and tips), up to $100,000 on an annualized basis.

How do I apply for PPP if self-employed?

Who is eligible to apply for a self-employed PPP loan?
  1. Must be in operation before February 15, 2020.
  2. Must have income from self-employment, sole proprietorship, or as an independent contractor.
  3. Must live in the United States.
  4. Must file a Form 1040, Schedule C for 2019.
  5. Must have net profit for 2019.

Is PPP considered income?

"So for federal purposes, the loan is both excluded from income, and the expenses paid for by the PPP proceeds are deductible," said Kryder. "This is a significant positive emergency benefit Congress intended for businesses affected by the pandemic."

Can I apply for PPP and Eidl?

The SBA has two loan programs to help small businesses impacted by COVID-19: Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). If your business is eligible, you can get both of these loans and use the funds at the same time, as long as you don't use them for the same purpose.

How do I pay myself with PPP?

You can use the PPP funds to pay yourself through what's called owner compensation share or proprietor costs. This is to compensate you for a loss of business income. To take the full amount of owner compensation share, you will have to use a covered period of at least 11 weeks weeks.

Who is eligible for PPP program?

Small businesses with 500 or fewer employees—including nonprofits, veterans organizations, tribal concerns, self-employed individuals, sole proprietorships, and independent contractors— are eligible. Businesses with more than 500 employees are eligible in certain industries.

What qualifies as utilities under PPP?

Traditionally, “utilities†normally means electricity, water, gas, and sewage only. But as you can see, the PPP adds the additional categories of telephone, internet, and transportation costs.

How much is a PPP loan?

Your maximum PPP loan amount will be 2.5 times your average monthly payroll costs, up to $10 million. You can only receive one PPP loan, so if you apply for a PPP loan you may consider applying for the maximum amount you are eligible for.

Do you have to pay PPP loan back?

Yes. PPP loans (the full principal amount and any accrued interest) may be fully forgiven, meaning they do not have to be repaid. If you do not apply for forgiveness, you will have to repay the loan.

What are the rules for PPP loan forgiveness?

If you are using an 8-week forgiveness period, you can claim 8 weeks' worth of your 2019 or 2020 net income or gross income as owner compensation replacement (or “proprietor costsâ€). The remaining PPP funds will need to be spent on other eligible expenses in order to be forgiven.

Who is not eligible for a PPP loan?

In general, if the applicant or the owner of the applicant is the debtor in a bankruptcy proceeding, either at the time it submits the application or at any time before the loan is disbursed, the applicant is ineligible to receive a PPP loan.

Are self-employed PPP loans forgivable?

Self-employed workers can now receive up to 100% forgiveness on PPP loans.

Can self-employed file for unemployment Covid 19?

Am I eligible for unemployment benefits under the CARES Act? States are permitted to provide Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) to individuals who are self-employed, seeking part-time employment, or who otherwise would not qualify for regular unemployment compensation.