<prompt> Human: I got laid off recently after being with the company for less than 4 months. I was aggressively paying off student debt and only saved about a months worth of expenses in the short amount of time that I was working. I desperately dont want to go back to working a part time retail gig but I guess I will if need be. I have no assets, but I do have a small energy brokerage business set up. I started the business thinking it would be a good side hustle but I sort of abandoned it in favor of other jobsprojects. I still have everything in place and I would love to make it work instead of going to work for someone else but Im not really sure how to get started. Any input would be very appreciated. This is a very tough time in my life and I could really use advice.Thank you.Assistant: file for unemployment. Youll most likely have to at least find some temporary part time work, given that xmas is around the corner, theres a good deal of seasonal work that you can pick up. Itll suck, but maybe youll be able to sock away more than one months worth of expenses.Human: I was only a contractor at my last job, as opposed to a full time salaried employee. Would unemployment even be an option. I got the job through a temp agency btw.Assistant: They dicked you over, and it might cost them a lot of money.Edit: never mind, OP was a W2 employee of a temp agency, so he wasnt an independent contractor.Human: eli5?Assistant: The IRS trusts your boss to say youre an employee, but shitstains wearing suits like to avoid paying tax by classifying employees as their own business, thus making them pay tax. It also changes the law for them.The government turns a blind eye to this unless of course the employee specifically asks for a determination of status. This can result in fines.Human: And I can file this form ss-8 after I no longer work there?The manager did mention that the company terrified of getting hit with a lawsuit along these lines so they would specifically exclude contractors from certain meetings. However, just glancing at the qualifications, I believe that I shouldve been counted as an employee. I was hired through a temp agency, worked a set schedule and over time when necessary, used their equipment, and worked directly under full time salaried employees who gave me daily and intraday instructionsassignments. Assistant: You can file it after the fact, yes. I believe you have up to five years to take them to court over medical taxes unpaid, but Im not an attorney or tax accountant. They will know who filed it though.Your former employer is nervous for a reason. Did the temp agency withhold taxes?Human: Yes, the temp agency withheld taxes.  <response>: And theyre going to send you a 1099-MISC at the end of the year?Bizarre. Absolutely bizarre. Sounds like maybe they are trying to get out of legal liability for what happens, like if you fall off a ladder or something. 