Can a self-employed individual claim unemployment?

It depends on what you mean by self employed??? I'm self employed and do contract work. Sometimes I'm paid on a 1099 sometimes I'm payed on a w-2. If you have W-2 income then you should be able to get unemployment. If you were paid on a 1099, or corp to corp you will not be able to.

Unemployment money is paid into a fund by the employer

based upon the wages they paid you. but if you worked for self then you must have report all income on taxes. if you didnt, then still try it don't hurt to apply online in your state to see if you qualify. Try it just put in your s.s # and name then it will let you now if you qualify right then. Good luck

No, unless you have been paying state unemployment insurance.

No. Even if you could, the former employer has to pay a portion of unemployment to the government. So, you'd be paying your own unemployment.

edit: former employer - http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=200808...

don't know what john is talking about... employees do not pay any part of unemployment taxes--employer only!

to answer your question, No.