At least as a self employed person, unemployment seems...tenuous. And confusing.

I’m a photographer. The website says I’m supposed to report income the week I work, not when I actually receive payment. If someone gives me a deposit for a wedding next year should I count it? Should I be reporting the deposits I got last year when I cover a wedding this year?

I’m allowed to deduct expenses, but they don’t go in to more detail. If I spend more than I make in a week can I carry over the rest of the expense?

It’s pretty stressful just knowing if you’re doing it correctly.

Just an anecdote, but my father lives in Tennessee, and applied for unemployment 6 weeks ago. The website reports he has been paid every week, but he still hasn't seen any money. He has spent about 12 hours on the phone with various agencies and has no answer to why he has not been paid. From what he can tell this is not an uncommon situation in TN.