I was laid off by my previous company where I was a full-time employee and am currently receiving umeployment benefits while I search for a new position. I'm also doing freelance work at home when I can find it. Naturally, I report that to UI office and my weekly benefits are reduced accordingly. If I have no work the following week, my normal benefits resume. When that happens, the UI office sends me a form on which I have to report the name of my last "employer" and why I'm no longer working for them. I've explained to a couple of people at UI that my clients are not employers but they told me it doesn't matter, just fill out the form and note that it was freelance work.

My question is, will my clients be obligated to contribute to UI even though I'm an independent contractor (that's clearly stated on the invoice) not an employee? One client angrily informed me that if he knew he would be contacted by UI, he would never have asked me to do the job. Is there a way to properly report that I do occasionally work without UI sending these forms to my clients? Some of them are only one person businesses themselves.

Thanks for your time.

No. If you are legitimately not their employee, they have no UI tax liability on your behalf.

Thanks for your help.