Extension Of Unemployment Benefits In Nj

What If I Was Discharged For Misconduct

If you were fired or discharged from your job because you did something not in the best interests of your employer , you may be disqualified from collecting benefits. This kind of discharge is known as misconduct. The disqualification would begin the week the firing or suspension occurs and continue for the next five weeks. After the disqualification period ends, you may be able to collect benefits.

If you were fired for any reason that is serious enough to be considered a crime under the New Jersey Code of Criminal Justice, you may be disqualified from collecting benefits indefinitely. This is known as a gross misconduct discharge. To remove a gross misconduct disqualification, you must return to work for at least 4 weeks, earn 6 times your weekly benefit rate, and become unemployed through no fault of your own. In addition, the wages you earned with the employer who discharged you cannot be used to establish an unemployment claim or to remove a disqualification.

If you were fired, you will be scheduled for a claims examiner interview. The examiner will determine if you are entitled to benefits.

Who Cannot Collect Extended Benefits In New Jersey

If you dont meet the above-mentioned New Jersey unemployment extension eligibility criteria, you will not qualify for the extended benefits. You will also be ineligible to collect benefits for additional 20 weeks if you meet any of the following metrics.

If I Am Eligible For Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Do I Need To First Apply For Unemployment Insurance

States must have a process for determining that Pandemic Unemployment Assistance applicants are ineligible for regular unemployment benefits, which may not include filing a regular claim as a first step. States are not required to take and adjudicate a full claim for regular unemployment insurance benefits to meet this requirement. While states are not prohibited from taking a full claim, to facilitate expedited claims processing the U.S. Department of Labor has discouraged states from doing so. Individuals should apply using the states PUA application process and, in states that have not yet established that process, must wait until it is established.

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Weeks Of Unemployment Insurance Available And Unemployment Rates

The remaining six states periodically update their maximum weeks of UI available based on changes in the states unemployment rate:

• Alabama currently provides up to 14 weeks of UI for new enrollees, with an additional five-week extension for those enrolled in a state-approved training program
• Georgia provides 14 weeks of UI, but in the COVID-19 emergency that has been increased to 26 weeks
• Florida currently provides up to 12 weeks for claims filed after January 1, 2022
• Idaho currently provides up to 20 weeks for new enrollees based on its November unemployment rate
• Kansas currently provides up to 16 weeks of UI and
• North Carolina currently provides up to 12 weeks for claims filed after January 1, 2022.

Kentucky and Oklahoma also have enacted legislation that would cut their maximum number of weeks of benefits beginning in 2023.

State laws in many states with a maximum of 26 weeks employ a sliding scale based on a workers earnings history to determine the maximum number of weeks for which an individual worker qualifies. Except in Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, New Hampshire, New York, West Virginia, and Puerto Rico, many UI recipients maximum is fewer than 26 weeks.

Unemployment Program Extensions Under Biden Arpa Stimulus Package

Under President Bidens $1.9 trillion federal coronavirus relief package, known as the American Rescue Plan , enhanced unemployment benefits will be extended until September 6th. This would be the week ending September 4th, 2021 in New Jersey. This includes the following extensions:

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance The PUA program, designed for freelancers, gig workers and independent contractors or those that generally dont qualify for regular state unemployment, has been extended to September 6th, 2021 . This brings the total number of weeks in the program to 79. The minimum PUA payment is still 50% of a states average weekly benefit amount and limited to the states maximum weekly benefit amount .

Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation The new stimulus bill funds another 25 weeks of weekly supplementary/extra unemployment at the current $300 level. Payments for the $300 weekly payment will continue until early September for a total of 25 weeks and eligible claimants those getting at least $1 from state and federal unemployment programs can get a maximum of $7,500 if they qualify for all weeks covered in this new extension. The other $100 supplementary payment for Mixed Earners was also extended by 25 weeks.

Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation The PEUC program, which extends coverage for those who have exhausted regular and extended state unemployment, has also been extended until the week ending September 4th, 2021.

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Getting Unemployment Benefits In New Jersey

Currently, in New Jersey, a person is eligible for regular unemployment benefits if they lost their job through no fault of their own, such as an employer having no work for them. Typically, a person who quit their job for a reason that was not related to work or was terminated for misconduct is ineligible for unemployment benefits.

A representative from the Unemployment Insurance division of the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development conducts a fact-finding interview by phone or email to determine whether a claimant is eligible for UI benefits. The claimants former employers may also be asked to participate.

A New Jerseyan who meets the requirements for traditional UI can receive benefits for up to 26 weeks during a one-year period.

Business Report: Job Growth Extended Unemployment To End Saint Peters Draws Donors

Theres no let-up in the surge in hiring. New Jersey-based ADP said Wednesday that private companies across the U.S. added 455,000 new jobs this month. That was in line with expectations and comes a few days before the closely watched monthly employment report from the federal government. A separate report shows there are still more job openings than there are people to fill them and millions of people are still quitting their jobs each month.

Meantime New Jersey employers are gearing up for seasonal hiring. For instance, Home Depot said its looking to fill more than 1,100 full- and part-time positions for its busy spring season.

The state labor department has announced that extended unemployment benefits will come to an end next month. Some 20,000 unemployed workers in New Jersey are currently receiving those benefits, which were paid out during the pandemic when unemployment in the state was high. The extended unemployment benefits program, which has paid $1.3 billion to claimants since July 2020, will end on April 9.

New Jerseyans could get a break on their state taxes if they make contributions to retirement savings plans, under a bill working its way through the Legislature. Currrently, net taxable income is reduced if you contribute to a 401 plan. But the legislation would expand the tax benefit to other federally recognized retirement savings plans like 403s and IRAs. You can read more here.

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Getting Extended Unemployment Benefits

In times of high unemployment, the state and sometimes the federal Department of Labor will extend federal unemployment benefits to New Jerseyans. For example, during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, the Trump administration enacted the Families First Coronavirus Response Act , which provided more flexibility to state UI agencies.

Additionally, it passed the CARES Act, expanding funds for most workers, including those not typically covered by UI such as the self-employed and independent contractors who received funds through the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation program.

On July 1, 2020, the Garden Stateâs high unemployment rate allowed the NJDLWD to extend benefits by 13 weeks to those who had exhausted them as long as they met the minimum earnings requirements and their initial claim was filed on May 12, 2019 or later. Federal UI payments expired on September 4, 2021, and the stateâs program ended on April 9, 2022.

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Eligibility For Unemployment Insurance Benefits

To be eligible for UI benefits in 2021, a person must have earned at least $220 per week during 20 or more weeks in covered employment during the base year period. Alternatively, they must have earned at least $11,000 in total covered employment during the base year period.

To be eligible for UI benefits in 2022, the person must have earned at least $240 per week during 20 or more weeks in covered employment during the base year period. Alternatively, they must have earned at least $12,000 in total covered employment during the base-year period. UI benefits do not themselves count as monies earned from covered employment.

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Applying For Unemployment Insurance Online

Many job seekers apply online for Unemployment Insurance, which you can do here.

According to the New Jersey Department of Labor, these steps must be taken to apply online for Unemployment Insurance:

One Of My Workers Quit Because He Said He Would Prefer To Receive The Unemployment Compensation Benefits Under The Cares Act Is He Eligible For Unemployment If Not What Can I Do

No, typically that employee would not be eligible for regular unemployment compensation or PUA. Eligibility for regular unemployment compensation varies by state but generally does not include those who voluntarily leave employment. Similarly, to receive PUA, an individual must be ineligible for regular unemployment compensation or extended benefits under state or federal law, or pandemic emergency unemployment compensation, and satisfy one of the eligibility criteria enumerated in the CARES Act, as explained in Unemployment Insurance Program Letter 16-20. There are multiple qualifying circumstances related to COVID-19 that can make an individual eligible for PUA, including if the individual quits his or her job as a direct result of COVID-19. Quitting to access unemployment benefits is not one of them. Individuals who quit their jobs to access higher benefits, and are untruthful in their UI application about their reason for quitting, will be considered to have committed fraud.

If desired, employers can contest unemployment insurance claims through their state unemployment insurance agencys process.

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When Could An Extension Be Confirmed

The Biden Administration has now confirmed that they wont push at a federal level or via executive order to extend enhanced unemployment programs past the September 6th expiration date.

They are instead encouraging states with high unemployment or hit hard by COVID-19 Delta to use existing ARPA stimulus funding to extend and expand traditional state unemployment benefits for as long as needed. You can see more on this in this video.

States will have to provide guidance on expanded benefits or move to state extended benefit programs prior to early September to ensure a continuation of benefits. So stay tuned as updates come out and I will update on state-by-state basis.

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I Run A Nonprofit Organization And Am A Reimbursing Employer Under My States Unemployment Insurance Program Due To The Economic Impacts Of The Covid

Contact your state unemployment insurance office to learn what options may be available for delaying reimbursement payments. The CARES Act allows states to provide maximum flexibility to reimbursing employers as it relates to timely payments in lieu of contributions and assessment of penalties and interest. The U.S. Department of Labor will soon be issuing guidance on how states should implement this provision.

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The Extended Unemployment Benefits In New Jersey

The state Department Of Labor had announced extended unemployment benefits in New Jersey in July 2020. The extension was possible because the state had reached high unemployment periods. According to the Department, high unemployment periods are those times when the unemployment rate of the state reaches 8% for the most recent 3 months. The states unemployment rate is 15.3% in April, 15.2% in May, and 16.8% in June.

Under the Extended Benefits program, the unemployed New Jerseyans will be able to claim benefits for an additional 20 weeks, provided they have exhausted benefits received through the regular 26 weeks of benefits and extra 13 weeks of the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation program.

The cost of the Extended Benefits is equally split between the federal government and the state unemployment trust fund.

Learn About New Jersey Extensions

New Jersey Unemployment Extensions Information

New Jersey unemployment beneficiaries may be concerned about supporting their families after the benefit period is over, especially during a bad economy. Some may even be asking What can I do to extend unemployment?

If unemployment is high in New Jersey, or even the nation, unemployment benefits may be extended for up to 99 additional weeks. Although this may come as a relief to some claimants, an unemployment benefits extension is only granted during these times.

This section will answer the question, How can I extend unemployment? with the following:

New Jersey Unemployment Resources

Find Out How to Appeal Denied Benefits

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Where Do I File For Unemployment Insurance

Unemployment insurance is a joint state-federal program that provides cash benefits to eligible workers. Each state administers a separate unemployment insurance program, but all states follow the same guidelines established by federal law.

Please see the map and list below to find the contact information for your state in order to apply for Unemployment Benefits.

Federal And State Extended Benefits

Federal benefits created during the pandemic including PUA, PEUC, and FPUC ended September 4. Any funds remaining in your unemployment account related to these federal programs will not be available for certification or payment for weeks of unemployment ending after September 4, 2021, per federal law.

Please note that you will be able to receive benefits for weeks of unemployment ending prior to September 4, per your weekly certification answers. If you are currently in an appeal or adjudication process, or have an appointment scheduled after September 4, please continue to certify weekly, follow instructions and monitor your email.

To learn more about available extensions of or additions to unemployment benefits, see the information below.

How many weeks of unemployment benefits can I currently receive?

Those who meet the requirements for traditional unemployment insurance may receive benefits for up to 26 weeks during a one-year period.

Additionally, from July 1, 2020 through April 9, 2022, New Jerseys high unemployment rate triggered state extended benefits for NJ workers who have exhausted unemployment benefits, if, among other requirements, they meet the minimum earnings requirement and the date of their initial UI claim is May 12, 2019 or later.

Per federal regulations, on April 17, 2021, NJ state extended unemployment benefits were reduced from up to 20 weeks to up to 13 weeks because New Jerseys unemployment rate went down.

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Requirements While Receiving Ui Benefits

While getting unemployment insurance benefits, claimants must search for work each week and keep a list of the places they contacted, the dates of contact and the outcome, as the NJDLWD may ask to see these. Unemployed workers should contact at least three different companies every week. If they are offered work that is suitable, they must take it immediately. The NJDLWD determines if a job is suitable by looking at certain factors, such as:

• Claimant’s health and morals.
• Physical fitness and previous training.
• Experience level and previous earnings and benefits.
• How long the claimant has been unemployed.
• Prospects for finding work in their usual field.
• Commute situation.

If the work pays 80 percent of the claimant’s average earnings per week, including benefit value in the last year, the job is considered suitable.

Each person is different, and the requirements for suitable employment are subjective to each, but the longer the claimant remains unemployed, they risk being forced to revise their minimum job requirements. For example, their commute time may be longer or they may have to accept a lower salary than they want.

Policy Basics: How Many Weeks Of Unemployment Compensation Are Available

Workers in most states are eligible for up to 26 weeks of benefits from the regular state-funded unemployment compensation program, although ten states provide fewer weeks, and two provide more. Extended Benefits are not triggered on in any state. Additional weeks of pandemic federal benefits ended in all states on September 6, 2021.

The federal-state unemployment insurance system helps many people who have lost their jobs by temporarily replacing part of their wages. Under certain circumstances, unemployed workers who exhaust their regular state-funded unemployment benefits before they can find work can receive additional weeks of benefits.

Under the CARES Act responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, all states received access to federal funding to provide additional weeks of Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Assistance benefits to people who exhausted their regular state benefits, and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance to many others who lost their jobs through no fault of their own but who were not normally eligible for UI in their state. These and other pandemic-related emergency UI programs ended nationwide the first weekend of September 2021, but many states stopped providing these federal benefits before that.

The map below shows the maximum number of weeks of benefits that are currently available in each state.

The two states providing more than the 26-week maximum are:

The states providing fewer than the standard 26-week maximum include:

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