Resume advice

Hey guys, my first post on here.

I have been unemployed since a year due to some personal problems, but right now interviewing. On my resume is it advisable to add my freelance work which I’ve done in the past year instead of the gap ? It was on and off freelancing for a friends company.

I wanted inputs on, if this is okay and also, how would a background check be done regarding this? Is contact with the client good enough for background verification.

Thank you