Why can't self employed people get unemployment?

Question

Why can't self employed people get unemployment?

Answer 1

You have to pay into unemployment to get the benefit when you're not working.

Answer 2

Because even if they have a slow time in their business, they're technically still employed, and from the government's way of looking at it, that would be kind of like paying life insurance when no one died.

Answer 3

im a self employeed individual and you can get unemployment if you paid into it while you were in business. but you have to have set it up and paid into it.

Answer 4

Because their income is not subject to unemployment taxes.

Answer 5

Because they can't get fired

Answer 6

Because unemployment is a form of insurance.  Companies are required to pay into the fund to cover employees that may become unemployed.  Since self employed people aren't paying into the fund, they are not eligible for the insurance.

Answer 7

That would leave way too much opportunity for fraud and manipulation.