Unemployment insurance while you look for work or Self-Employment Assistance Program (SEAP), New York?

Side by side, so you can choose the route that fits. You can’t be on both at once.

RecommendedUnemployment insurance while you look for work

Self-Employment Assistance Program (SEAP), New York

What it is

Unemployment insurance while you look for work: Your state pays unemployment insurance while you look for work. You search for work every week and report any earnings. In most states, starting to run a business ends your eligibility, so use this time to plan, and ask about Self-Employment Assistance if your state has it.
Self-Employment Assistance Program (SEAP), New York: Keep your weekly unemployment benefit while you start a business full time, with no work search and business income not deducted. You need 13+ weeks of benefits left, a profiling score of 50 or more, and written acceptance before you start.

Job search · Before you’re approved

Unemployment insurance while you look for work: —
Self-Employment Assistance Program (SEAP), New York: Job search required. Until you are accepted in writing, you are on regular unemployment: keep searching for work every week.

Job search · While you’re on it

Unemployment insurance while you look for work: Job search required. On unemployment insurance you must look for work every week, keep a record of your contacts, and report them when you certify. How many contacts depends on your state.
Self-Employment Assistance Program (SEAP), New York: No job search required. Once accepted, the work search, availability and job-refusal rules are waived. You work full time on the business.

Your business work can count

Unemployment insurance while you look for work: —
Self-Employment Assistance Program (SEAP), New York: —

If you earn money

Unemployment insurance while you look for work: Report all earnings every week when you certify. Your state ignores a small amount and then reduces your benefit (see your state’s page); in most states, working in your own business can end your eligibility.
Self-Employment Assistance Program (SEAP), New York: Your weekly benefit isn’t reduced by what your business earns. Keep certifying and reporting as your state asks.

What you must do to keep getting it

Unemployment insurance while you look for work: Certify every week and report all earnings, including from any side business.
In most states, running a business means you are not unemployed. Plan and prepare, but check your state’s rule before you trade: Pennsylvania counts the “first positive step”.
If your state runs Self-Employment Assistance, apply BEFORE starting, and keep searching for work until you are accepted in writing.
Self-Employment Assistance Program (SEAP), New York: You need 13+ weeks of benefits left and a profiling score of 50+ (or an invitation letter). Watch the orientation video, then apply in your NY.gov account.
Do NOT start trading before written acceptance.
Keep certifying every week and complete the required training and counseling.
Missing training or milestones can cost you weeks of benefit or your place.

If you take or turn down a job

Unemployment insurance while you look for work: Refusing suitable work can disqualify you from benefits. Only apply for jobs you would take.
Self-Employment Assistance Program (SEAP), New York: Taking a job ends Self-Employment Assistance; report it when you certify.

	RecommendedUnemployment insurance while you look for workIf you lost your job through no fault of your own	Self-Employment Assistance Program (SEAP), New York
What it is	Your state pays unemployment insurance while you look for work. You search for work every week and report any earnings. In most states, starting to run a business ends your eligibility, so use this time to plan, and ask about Self-Employment Assistance if your state has it.	Keep your weekly unemployment benefit while you start a business full time, with no work search and business income not deducted. You need 13+ weeks of benefits left, a profiling score of 50 or more, and written acceptance before you start.
Job search · Before you’re approved	—	Job search required. Until you are accepted in writing, you are on regular unemployment: keep searching for work every week.
Job search · While you’re on it	Job search required. On unemployment insurance you must look for work every week, keep a record of your contacts, and report them when you certify. How many contacts depends on your state.	No job search required. Once accepted, the work search, availability and job-refusal rules are waived. You work full time on the business.
Your business work can count	—	—
If you earn money	Report all earnings every week when you certify. Your state ignores a small amount and then reduces your benefit (see your state’s page); in most states, working in your own business can end your eligibility.	Your weekly benefit isn’t reduced by what your business earns. Keep certifying and reporting as your state asks.
What you must do to keep getting it	Certify every week and report all earnings, including from any side business. In most states, running a business means you are not unemployed. Plan and prepare, but check your state’s rule before you trade: Pennsylvania counts the “first positive step”. If your state runs Self-Employment Assistance, apply BEFORE starting, and keep searching for work until you are accepted in writing.	You need 13+ weeks of benefits left and a profiling score of 50+ (or an invitation letter). Watch the orientation video, then apply in your NY.gov account. Do NOT start trading before written acceptance. Keep certifying every week and complete the required training and counseling. Missing training or milestones can cost you weeks of benefit or your place.
If you take or turn down a job	Refusing suitable work can disqualify you from benefits. Only apply for jobs you would take.	Taking a job ends Self-Employment Assistance; report it when you certify.

Unemployment insurance while you look for work

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