The New Jersey Unemployment Insurance program is designed to provide a financial benefit to workers who have lost their job through no fault of their own. The state’s UI benefits activities are handled by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL). The funds for UI benefits are collected in the form of payroll taxes from employers.
Unemployment benefits in New Jersey compensate claimants for lost wages. The goal is to provide financial assistance while you look for employment opportunities. To qualify for unemployment benefits, you must meet the required all eligibility criteria as set by New Jersey unemployment laws.
New Jersey UI Benefits Calculator
The New Jersey Unemployment Benefits Calculator helps you estimate your UI weekly benefits amount.
Calculate Your New Jersey Unemployment Benefits
Use the New Jersey unemployment calculator to estimate your UI benefit payments.
New Jersey Unemployment Calculator
Eligibility To Apply for UI Benefits in New Jersey (NJ)
NJDOL has established the eligibility criteria for unemployment benefits. A lack of information or misinformation regarding your eligibility can lead to a delay or denial of UI benefits.
Eligibility for unemployment benefits in NJ depends on several factors, including financial and non-financial requirements.
- You must have earned at least $260 per week for 20 weeks, or at least $13,000 total during your base year period
- You must be unemployed through no fault of your own
- You must be actively searching for work
- You must be willing to accept any suitable job offer
- You must be able and available to work full-time
- You must maintain eligibility by certifying each week and attending any required appointments
- You must be a United States citizen or be legally able to work in New Jersey state
Monetary Eligibility
To be eligible for Unemployment Insurance benefits, claimants must have earned at least $260 per week for 20 weeks (or at least $13,000 total) during the base year period. A base period is a duration of one year in which the applicants have worked and earned wages. Monetary eligibility in NJ is based on the wages earned by you during the base period.
Learn more about New Jersey UI eligibility requirements
Job Separation
The reason for separating from your previous organization will play a major role in determining your eligibility factor for UI benefits. As per the NJDOL, only people who have lost their jobs for no fault of their own will be eligible for unemployment benefits.
If your reason for leaving the previous organization is not due to the lack of/shortage of work, a claims examiner will set up a fact-finding interview by either phone or email to find out if you are eligible for unemployment insurance benefits.
In order to qualify for the New Jersey unemployment benefits, you must satisfy the below conditions:
- You must not have lost your job due to your fault
- You must not have quit the job voluntarily, without any work-related reasons
- You were not fired from your previous organization due to misconduct
- You were not involved in any illegal or unethical activities in your previous organization
The unemployment claim examiner will contact your employer to verify your claims. If the reason given by you doesn’t match your employer, you may be denied unemployment compensation.
Maintaining Eligibility
There are some additional eligibility criteria that you must fulfill once you start receiving UI benefits. You must certify your claim before you can receive unemployment compensation.
To maintain eligibility for UI benefits, you must fulfill the following requirements:
• You must be mentally and physically able to work throughout the base period
• You must be seeking new employment opportunities. You are expected to submit a job search report every week, detailing employer info and contact information.
• You are expected to be available for work at all times during the benefits period
• You must not reject any suitable job offers made during the benefits period
• You must keep up with all the appointments with the DLWD. Missing any appointments might lead to the stoppage of weekly benefits
You must search for a new job opportunity and must accept a suitable offer. You must also fulfill all the meetings, interviews, or training obligations with the NJDOL. If you don’t meet any of these requirements, the DLWD may stop your weekly benefits.
Learn more about job search requirements
How To Apply For UI Benefits in New Jersey?
To apply for UI benefits in NJ, applicants must carry the following documents:
You can apply for benefits through an online portal or by placing a telephone call to NJDOL.
Learn how to apply for New Jersey unemployment benefits
How To File Weekly Claims
You must certify your weekly claim before you can get paid. You will be asked a series of questions about being able and willing to work. You must report any earnings for the week, and provide documentation of the job contacts you made during the week as you searched for a job.
You can file your weekly claim online or by calling the New Jersey unemployment call center.
Learn how to claim weekly benefits
Things To Know After Filing An Application
You should aware of certain important information such as overpayments and fraud to make sure that there are no hindrances in the benefits period. Also, it helps to have sufficient information about labor statistics and job training programs that can help you to compete in the job market.
Overpayments And Fraud
As per the NJ DOL, an overpayment occurs when you receive UI benefits to which you were entitled. In such a scenario, you are expected to pay it back to NJDOL.
The department will send you a notice as soon as they identify an overpayment. The notice will contain the reason why the NJDOL considers any payment made as an overpayment. It will also mention the total amount that is considered an overpayment, and your right to appeal against the decision of the department if you do not agree with the decision.
If you received overpayments by purposefully providing misinformation, it will be considered NJ unemployment fraud. The NJ DOL takes UI fraud very seriously and penalties can include a denial of benefits, fines, and even criminal charges.
Benefits Extension
The state offers a UI benefits extension only when the unemployment rate is high. Currently, there are no extended benefits available in New Jersey. Programs such as Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC), Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) are expired and no longer available.
Job Training Assistance
The state of New Jersey provides ample opportunities for job seekers to learn skills to improve their competency in the job market. The state offers various training programs for New Jersey residents looking for work or to advance their careers. You can visit a local One Stop Career center for information on the latest trainings and workshops.
Learn about job training opportunities in New Jersey
Appeals
If your unemployment benefit is denied, you have the right to file an appeal. The appeal process allows you to contest the decision.
The appeal process begins with submitting a written request for an appeal within 20 calendar days of the date the initial determination was mailed. The appellant must clearly state the reasons for contesting the decision, and provide any relevant supporting documents or evidence. Once the appeal is filed, a hearing will be scheduled where both parties can present their arguments and provide testimony from witnesses.
Learn how to file an appeal in New Jersey
New Jersey unemployment contact information
If you have questions about your claim for New Jersey UI benefits, or require assistance with filing, you call the unemployment claims center.
For help with finding a new job, including resume writing help and training programs, visit your local American Jobs Center.
More New Jersey Benefits
If you have exhausted your New Jersey UI benefits, there are other types of government assistance available.
Displaced Homemaker Programs
Displaced Homemaker Programs help people who used to work at home for a long time but now need to make money for their family because their spouse passed away, became disabled, or got divorced. These programs teach New Jersey residents new skills and help them find jobs. There are 22 programs in 21 counties in the state, managed by the New Jersey Division on Women.
New Jersey Women, Children, & Infants (WIC) Program
New Jersey WIC Services help make pregnancies healthier and improve nutrition for low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, as well as their infants and children. The program strives to prevent issues that affect the health and nutrition of participants.
SNAP (Food Stamps)
New Jersey’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (NJ SNAP) offers food assistance to low-income families, enabling them to purchase groceries using a benefits card, known as an EBT card. EBT cards are accepted at numerous food retail stores, including select restaurants and farmers markets. Eligibility is determined by various criteria, including income and resources. By utilizing SNAP benefits, families can afford to eat nutritious items that contribute to their overall health and well-being.
NJ Medicaid
Medicaid is a health insurance program that helps parents or caretakers, children, pregnant women, and elderly or disabled people. It covers hospital services, doctor visits, prescriptions, nursing home care, and other healthcare needs, depending on the person’s eligibility.
To qualify for New Jersey Medicaid, you must:
- Live in New Jersey
- Be a U.S. citizen or a qualified alien
- Meet specific financial income and resource requirements
- Belong to one of these groups: Families with dependents, pregnant women, seniors over 65, or blind/disabled
Section 8
New Jersey Section 8 is a housing assistance program that helps low-income families and individuals afford safe and quality housing. Funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD, the program provides direct rent subsidy payments to landlords. The program is based on the principle that housing costs, including rent and utilities, should not exceed 30% of a household’s income.
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