How to File for Unemployment in New Jersey

Last Updated: August 4, 2021 References

Suddenly losing your job is a stressful situation. As long as you weren't fired for misconduct or some other violation, you may be eligible for unemployment benefits. These benefits are meant to relieve some of the financial strain while you actively seek new employment. If you worked for an employer in New Jersey, you can file for unemployment through the state's website or over the phone. If your claim is approved, you'll receive a prepaid debit card with your benefit amount.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Determining Eligibility

1
Look at the reasons you lost your job. You may not be qualified for benefits if you were discharged because of misconduct. For simple misconduct, you may become eligible after 7 weeks. In more serious cases, you may not be able to get benefits at all.
- If you were discharged because of misconduct, you can still file a claim for unemployment. You'll have a meeting with a claims examiner, who will review documents related to your separation from your employer to determine your eligibility.
2
Check your employer's location. You are only eligible to apply for unemployment benefits in New Jersey if you worked for an employer located in New Jersey. If you commuted to work in a different state, you'll have to file for unemployment in that state.
- For example, if you live in New Jersey but commuted to an employer in New York, you would have to file a claim for benefits with the state of New York.
- On the other hand, if you live in another state but worked for an employer located in New Jersey, you must file your claim with the state of New Jersey, not the state where you live.
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3
Confirm that you are able and available to work. You must have adequate transportation to get to a new job, and be physically and mentally able to perform the tasks required by your new employer. This may include maintaining certifications or licenses.
- Being available for wok also means that you can start immediately, and have no personal reasons that might hold you back. For example, if you have to care for an ailing family member, you might not be considered eligible for benefits because you couldn't start immediately.
4
Use the online calculator to estimate your benefits. The calculation of unemployment benefits is based on the average amount of money you earned during what is called your "base year." You can collect up to 60 percent of that amount, subject to the maximum rate.
- Visit https://lwd.state.nj.us/uiapp/Start.html to use New Jersey's online calculator.
- Other factors may be used to calculate the exact amount of benefits you are eligible to receive. The amount shown by the online calculator is just an estimate, and isn't binding on the claims examiner who reviews your claim.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Filing Your Claim

1
Gather your information before you start. To complete your claim for unemployment benefits, you'll need identification and income information. You'll also need information about your previous employer.
- You must provide your Social Security number, or Alien Registration number if you are not a US citizen. If you get work through a union, have the name of the union ready along with a local address and phone number of the union hall.
- Have ready the complete name of your employer, as well as an address and phone number. You also need the dates you were employed there, your job title, and the reason you were let go. If you received a separation notice from your employer, you can get a lot of the information you need from that.
2
Visit www.njuifile.net to file your claim online. You are eligible to file a claim online if you've worked in New Jersey in the last 18 months. You cannot file your claim online if you worked as a maritime employee, or if you currently live outside the US.
- Have all your information ready and organized before you start your application. Your session will time out if your computer is idle for more than 30 minutes, and you'll have to start the entire process over again.
- You can't save an incomplete application and come back to it later. If you don't finish your application in one visit, the information will be lost and you'll have to start over again.
3
Call a Reemployment Call Center if you can't file online. If you're not eligible to file your claim online, or are unable to do so because you lack access to a computer, you can file your claim over the phone between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
- The toll-free number is 1-888-795-6672. There are several local numbers listed on the website of the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development as well. These numbers don't connect you with the local office, they are simply provided as a courtesy so you don't have to worry about being charged for long distance.
- Call any time during the week you want your benefits to start. Your claim will be dated from the Sunday the week began.
4
Verify your identity. To help protect you from identity theft, you'll be asked a series of questions to verify your identity. These are multiple-choice questions based on information about you obtained from public records.
- You can choose not to participate in this process and still file your claim. However, you won't receive any benefits until your identity has been verified. You may have to meet with a claims examiner in person to verify your identity.
5
Attend any scheduled appointments. You may have to meet with a claims examiner if there are any questions about your eligibility for benefits, or about the amount you are eligible to receive. These appointments typically are phone interviews.
- If a meeting is required, you'll receive notification of the time of the phone interview. You're expected to be available for at least 2 hours after the scheduled time, although the interview itself may not take that long.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Appealing Rejected Claims

1
Read your notice carefully. After you file your claim for unemployment benefits, expect to get a number of documents in the mail from the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. If your claim is denied, or if your benefits have been calculated incorrectly, you can file an appeal.
- You may receive a "Notice to Claimant of Benefit Determination." It lists the period of time used to calculate your benefits, and the amount you are eligible to receive each week. If an employer has been omitted, or if you believe your benefits were calculated incorrectly, appeal the decision by following the instructions on the notice.
- If a claims examiner decides you aren't eligible for benefits, they'll send you a "Notice of Invalid Claim." This notice explains the specific reasons your claim was denied. It also provides detailed instructions on how to appeal the decision.
2
File your appeal as soon as possible. You only have a week after you receive your notice to file an appeal, either in person or in writing. Follow the instructions provided on your notice if you want to appeal the determination.^{[1]
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- If you can't get your appeal filed within that period of time, you must have good cause. File your appeal along with a letter explaining why it was late. The Appeal Tribunal will decide on a case-by-case basis whether to allow your appeal to continue.
3
Consult an attorney. You won't be provided with an attorney for your appeal, but you can hire one if you choose. An experienced employment attorney may increase your chances of a favorable outcome.^{[2]
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- Most employment lawyers provide a free initial consultation, so you can use that opportunity to get some information about the appeals process and the attorney's opinion on your case.
- If you can't afford an attorney, check with your local legal aid office about free representation.
4
Build a record of your claim. The information you gather for your appeals hearing depends on the reason your claim was rejected. If you believe your benefits were calculated inaccurately, you'll also need information about the income you earned while working.
- For example, if you were working 2 jobs and one was not included in your determination, you would need to provide information about that second job and the money you earned working there.
- If you need documents from your employer to prove the determination was incorrect, you can require your employer to produce those documents. Contact the Appeal Tribunal to request a subpoena for those documents.
5
Request subpoenas for witnesses. You are allowed to call witnesses to testify on your behalf. The Appeal Tribunal will issue a subpoena at your request that requires that person to attend your hearing and be prepared to testify.^{[3]
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- For example, if your claim was rejected because the claims examiner found that you were not available for work, you may have witnesses to testify that you are available for work.
6
Attend your hearing. The administrative hearing is a lot like a trial in court. Dress in clean, conservative clothing as though you were going to a job interview. Treat everyone at the hearing with courtesy and respect.^{[4]
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- The appeals examiner will allow time for both you and your employer to talk about your case and call any witnesses.
- If you have witnesses and are representing yourself, the appeals examiner may assist you in questioning your witnesses.
- You may also present documents as evidence and testify yourself.
7
Appeal an unfavorable decision to the Board of Review. After the hearing, you'll receive a written decision from the appeals examiner in the mail. This decision will list the relevant facts and the reasons for the examiner's decision.^{[5]
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- Instructions on how to appeal to the Board of Review are included with the written decision.
- You have 20 days to appeal if you aren't satisfied with the appeals examiner's decision. The Board of Review is the highest level of appeal in the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, and its decision is final.
- If no appeal is filed within 20 days after the appeals examiner's decision, that decision is considered final.