New Jersey Unemployment

New Jersey Unemployment Insurance Benefits

Unemployment insurance in New Jersey provides temporary financial support for New Jersey workers who lose employment through no fault of their own.

Administered by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, funding for unemployment insurance benefits comes from a payroll tax paid by employers. Jobless benefits partially replace income to help unemployed workers while they look for new work.

New Jersey Unemployment Services

Am I Eligible for Unemployment Benefits in New Jersey?

To qualify for unemployment assistance in New Jersey, you must meet all applicable eligibility requirements as defined by New Jersey Unemployment Compensation Law. Those requirements include the following:

• The claimant is unemployed through no fault of his or her own
• The claimant is able and willing to accept suitable work when it’s offered
• The claimant shows documented sufficient recent earnings that meet the minimum required by New Jersey law
• The claimant worked in New Jersey during the past 12 months
• The claimant is actively seeking work during each week a UI benefit check is collected

No determination of eligibility can be made until you apply, so if you think you meet the criteria outlined above, submit your UI benefits application as soon as you become unemployed.

Benefit Payments and Duration

How Do I Apply for Unemployment Benefits in New Jersey?

The easiest and fastest way to submit your new unemployment claim is online. Once you’ve created an account, you can log in to file your initial claim, to check the status of your unemployment claim. You can also submit your weekly UI benefits claims throughout the time that you collect benefits.

If you’re unable to submit your initial unemployment claim online, customer service agents at the numbers below are available to accept your unemployment compensation benefits claim over the phone:

• 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

Please note that submitting your initial claim by phone may include substantial wait times.

Managing Your New Jersey Unemployment Benefits

To receive benefits each week, you must certify that you are able to work, are actively seeking work, and will accept work if and when it is offered.

Each week, you will submit weekly certification using the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development’s weekly certification form. With this form, you will answer questions about whether you remain eligible for your weekly benefit, based on your work search and employment activity from the prior week. You must submit your weekly certification form in order to collect benefits for the previous week – failure to do so can mean a delay in receiving your benefit payment.

How Do I Get Paid?

The state of New Jersey offers two different, convenient options for you to receive your New Jersey unemployment benefits: direct deposit or prepaid debit card. When you are going through the process of submitting your application for benefits, you can choose how you’d like to receive your weekly payments. 

New Jersey Direct Deposit

If you choose the direct deposit option, your weekly compensation amount will automatically be deposited into your bank account each week. Before signing up for this option, check with your bank or credit union to confirm that it will accept direct deposit. You’ll need to submit with your application your complete direct deposit information, including your bank account and routing numbers. 

Generally, you can expect to receive your weekly benefit deposit within a couple of days of your certifying for unemployment benefits. Please note that if attempts to deposit your weekly benefits are unsuccessful because of incorrect account information, the state of New Jersey will suspend your direct deposits and mail you a prepaid debit card instead.

Weekly direct deposits will continue as long as your unemployment claim remains active, and as long as you complete the certification process for benefits each week. If you change your mind about receiving your benefits via direct deposit, you can always log in to your account and change your information. 

For example, you can switch to receiving a prepaid debit card by selecting Update Direct Deposit from the Manage My Account section after logging into your account. Then, simply complete the Authorization for Benefit Payment by Direct Deposit or Debit Card form and email it to the address specified. Or, if you choose to have payments deposited into a different account, you can update the account and routing numbers through your online account as well.

New Jersey Debit Card

If you choose to receive benefits via a prepaid debit card, you don’t have to do anything. All applicants who choose not to sign up for direct deposit automatically are issued prepaid Bank of America debit cards. You will receive your first card within 7-10 days after initially qualifying for unemployment benefits. Watch your mail carefully – your debit card will arrive in an unmarked envelope that will contain detailed instructions about how to activate and use it.

While you remain eligible for benefits, your benefits will be deposited onto your card within two days of certifying for benefits for the previous week. Each debit card you receive will remain active for four years. And even if you are hired for work, it’s important to keep any unexpired debit cards in case you need to open an account again in the future. If you need to reapply for unemployment benefits, the state of New Jersey will use any existing, unexpired debit card to deliver your benefits. 

What if my debit card is stolen?

In the case of a lost or stolen benefits debit card, you can call Bank of America directly to cancel the existing card and request a replacement.

How To Change Payment Method

If you decide that you’d prefer to have your benefits delivered via direct deposit, you may log into your account and change your payment method within your dashboard. Please note that this type of change is processed only once each week, so the change may not take effect until the Tuesday after you initiate the change through your account.  

When you submit your application, it’s important to apply for every state program that might prove helpful – for example, New Jersey disability benefits, state unemployment benefits, workers' compensation, or Temporary Disability Insurance. 

It’s important to note that in addition to weekly unemployment compensation, New Jersey offers health insurance subsidies for unemployed New Jersey residents – as long as you don’t have other options for affordable health coverage through a former employer, a spouse’s employer, New Jersey Medicaid or federal Medicare. 

How Do I Appeal a Decision?

If you are unhappy with the decision about your claim, you may submit a written appeal once your initial determination is received. This appeal should be submitted within seven calendar days after your notice is received or within 10 calendar days of the mailing date marked on your determination notice.

The fastest and easiest way to file your appeal is by using New Jersey’s online appeal form.

You also may mail a statement of appeal to the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. This statement must include your name, Social Security number, telephone number, and address. In addition, the statement should clearly outline your reasons for disputing the determination. The mailing address is as follows:

New Jersey Department of Labor
Appeal Tribunal
PO Box 907
Trenton, NJ 08625-0907

How Do I Report Fraud?

UI benefits provide a financial safety net for New Jersey residents and their families, and the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development takes seriously any attempt to divert those benefits from the people who need them most.

If you suspect someone of unemployment benefits fraud, you are strongly encouraged to report it using any of the contact methods listed below.

• Phone: 609-777-4304
• Fax: 609-292-5593
• Mail: Benefit Payment Control, PO Box 043, Trenton NJ 08625
• Online: Make your report anonymously using New Jersey’s online form.

New Jersey Unemployment Office Locations

Get Help With Benefits Today

We're here to help. Check out our posts on unemployment benefits in Kansas and Kentucky, and visit our page to learn more about the benefits available to you no matter where you live.