New Jersey Unemployment Application

How to apply for New Jersey unemployment insurance benefits

Apply Online

CALL: (888) 795-6672 toll free

If you are from North East New Jersey, call Union City office at (201) 601-4100.

Northwest and Central NJ is serviced at (732) 761-2020 which is the Freehold office.

South Jersey residents should contact the Cumberland office at (856) 507-2340.

Applying for NJ unemployment compensation

Losing your job can be a difficult and stressful experience, but knowing how to apply for unemployment benefits can help alleviate some of the financial strain. Unemployment compensation is available to eligible New Jersey workers who lost their jobs through no fault of their own or had good cause for the separation. These benefits provide temporary financial assistance to help cover living expenses while they search for new employment opportunities.

In New Jersey, you can apply for unemployment benefits online or by phone.

We’ll walk you through the process of applying for New Jersey unemployment benefits, so you can get financial support while you are unemployed.

Apply by phone

New Jersey unemployment customer service agents can help you apply for unemployment insurance over the phone. The correct NJ unemployment phone number to call depends on where you live.

North New Jersey: 201-601-4100
Central New Jersey: 732-761-2020
South New Jersey: 856-507-2340
Out-of-state claims: 888-795-6672
New Jersey Relay: 711

Apply online

Online applicants must make an account before filing an online claim.

Register an account

To create an account on our online system, visit the New Jersey portal and enter your email address. Use an email address that you frequently check, as the NJ DOL will be using it to send you significant information regarding your claim.

You will receive a link to verify your email address, which will only be valid for 60 minutes. The email will be sent from [email protected], so you may want to add this email address to your contacts to prevent it from going to your spam folder. If you don’t verify your email within 60 minutes, you’ll have to re-enter your email address and request a new link.

Once you click the verification link, you will be taken to a page where can enter the following information:

First and last name
Email address (the same one you used to register)
Social Security number
Phone number
Date of birth

You will also create a password for your account. It’s important that you never share your password with anyone.

To Apply

Once you are registered, click here to file a claim online.

The start date for all claims is the Sunday of the week that you submit your unemployment application. As long as you file your application by midnight on Saturday, you will be credited back to the previous Sunday. If you have worked the full week and your last day is either Friday or Saturday, it is advisable to wait until after Sunday to file. This is to avoid accidentally filing for a week in which you were actually employed.

Information needed to apply for unemployment

Before you apply for unemployment compensation benefits, you should gather documents and have the following information ready:

Social Security number: You’ll need to provide your Social Security number to apply for unemployment insurance benefits, as it helps to confirm your identity and eligibility.
Complete name, address and phone of employer: You must provide the contact information of your former employer to help confirm your employment history.
Your occupation with that employer, including beginning and end dates: You’ll need to provide your occupation with your former employer to establish earnings during your base period.
Reason for job separation: You must provide the reason for your separation from your former employer to help determine your eligibility for unemployment benefits. To qualify for UI benefits, you must be unemployed through no fault of your own.
Alien registration number (if you are not a United States citizen): You will need to prove your immigration status and eligibility for benefits.
Military Form DD-214 (if you were in the military in the last 18 months): You will need to verify your service and eligibility for benefits.
Form SF-8 or SF-50 (if you were a federal employee): Federal employees need to provide either Form SF-8 or SF-50 to confirm their employment history and eligibility for benefits.
Pension information (if you are receiving any pension or 401k): You’ll need to provide this information to calculate your benefit amount.
Amount and duration of any separation pay you may be receiving: You must report any separation pay in order to properly calculate your unemployment compensation.
Recall date: If you expect to be recalled to your job, you’ll need to provide this information to help determine your eligibility for benefits and the duration of your benefits.
Union hiring hall information, including local number and address: If you are in a union, you’ll need to provide this information to help confirm your employment history and eligibility for benefits.

ID.me

The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) has partnered with ID.me to provide a secure and reliable online identity verification service for its unemployment insurance program. The use of ID.me helps to ensure that only eligible individuals receive unemployment benefits while also protecting against identity theft and fraud.

When filing for unemployment benefits, New Jersey workers are required to verify their identity to prevent fraud and abuse of the system. In the past, this process was often time-consuming and required individuals to provide sensitive personal information. With the use of ID.me, the process has become much simpler and more secure.

ID.me uses advanced technology to verify an individual’s identity, including facial recognition and document verification. This process is quick and can be completed entirely online, reducing the risk of identity theft and NJ unemployment fraud. Additionally, ID.me’s security measures help to protect against phishing attacks and other forms of online fraud.

By partnering with ID.me, the NJDOL is taking a proactive approach to ensure the integrity of its unemployment insurance program. This collaboration not only helps to prevent fraud but also makes it easier for individuals to verify their identity and receive benefits.

How to verify with ID.me

To verify your identity with ID.me, you’ll need to have the following:

Mobile phone with a camera
Social Security Number
Email address
Laptop or computer (optional)
Photo ID such as a driver’s license, passport, passport card, or state ID

To prove your identity through ID.me, all you need to do is upload a photo of your government-issued ID and take a selfie. This process is straightforward and ensures that your state unemployment agency can verify your identity accurately. By partnering with ID.me, the agency can guarantee that only you, the rightful claimant, will receive access to your unemployment benefits.

To set up your ID.me account, start by entering an email address that you can access and choosing a secure password. Then, check the box to accept the terms and click on “Create account.”

To enhance the security of your account, you’ll need to set up multi-factor authentication (MFA), which uses a one-time passcode sent to your phone or generated via a mobile app each time you log in. Most people prefer to receive the passcode on their phone, so you’ll be prompted to enter your phone number.

If you have any questions or encounter any issues, you can visit help.id.me and submit a request. The ID.me member support team is available 24/7 to assist you.

Review your documents

Once you have applied for unemployment benefits, you can expect to receive multiple mailings from the NJ DOL – both physical mail and email. Please note that these mailings may arrive on different days, so don’t be alarmed if you don’t receive everything all at once. The specific documents you receive can vary depending on the circumstances of your claim.

If you have worked in New Jersey during the period used to calculate your unemployment benefits, you will receive a form that outlines your weekly benefit rate and the maximum benefit amount that you are eligible to collect during the one-year period that your claim is in effect. This form will also include details about your employers, the base weeks you worked, and your wages during the period used to determine your benefits.

Carefully review the information for accuracy. Any errors can impact the benefits you receive. If you notice any incorrect or missing information, call the NJ DOL claim center. You can receive your weekly payments via direct deposit or debit card.

If you are denied benefits, you have the right to file an appeal and protest the decision.