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If you want to find the most resourceful, and creative people in the workforce, they are often found among the self-employed. Their independent status translates to special problems when things go poorly.

Among those self-employed is Liz, a web designer based in Manhattan. She recently emailed with a question that confronts many of the self-employed.

Liz, jobless benefits for some of the self employed have been stymied by the traditional wisdom that a self-employed person could game the system and control their benefits eligibility. That wisdom is frankly stupid; the overwhelming majority of people with the initiative to start a business are more interested in working than gaming the system.

I would first advise you not to assume you are ineligible. Check with your accountant. The tax code is complex here, but depending on how your business is set up and the payment structure, you may be able to file for some benefits.

That said, there have been a couple of initiatives to help cover the self employed. One was started by the Bloomberg administration, which has been working with an organization called the Freelancers Union. The two are exploring an income-stabilization fund for the self employed.

For more information on this initiative, go to FreelancersUnion.org. The site is loaded with information about coping with the current economy as a freelancer.

Also, contact the New York State Department of Insurance to find out about one of the state-sponsored programs designed for the self employed to maintain reasonably-priced health insurance. It’s ins.state.ny.us for more information.

Finally, the New York State Department of Labor can be a springboard for a number of programs designed to help self starters get into business. It’s worth checking out at labor.ny.gov.