How to Collect Unemployment in New Jersey
Filing for unemployment in New Jersey is the first step toward collecting unemployment payments. You must make biweekly claims to receive benefits and have worked in New Jersey for the past 18 months. In addition, you must not have lived outside the United States, served in the military or worked for the federal government for the past 18 months. Have your account information ready when you file your biweekly claim so you can collect your unemployment benefits.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
Filing for Unemployment
-
1
Log on to the Department of Labor and Workforce Development website (see Resources). Click "File an Unemployment Claim."
-
2
Read the instructions and certify that you meet the filing requirements. Click "Continue."
-
-
3
Enter your personal information, including your address, Social Security number and telephone number. Continue to the next page.
-
4
Enter the required information for your employers from the past 18 months. Include the address and telephone number. Indicate the first and last day you worked for each employer.
-
5
Choose the reason for your unemployment to verify that you're eligible for benefits.
-
6
Submit the form. You will be notified of the success or failure of your claim in the mail.
How to Continue Collecting Unemployment Benefits
-
7
Log on to the Department of Labor and Workforce Development between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday (see Resources). Click "File a Continued Claim." You must file a claim for benefits once every two weeks.
-
8
Enter your Social Security number and choose "Continue."
-
9
Enter your personal information in the form.
-
10
Create a PIN, if it's your first time claiming benefits. Confirm the PIN. You'll enter it to identify your claim during subsequent filings.
-
11
Complete the form to file for your unemployment benefits.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
You can file for unemployment benefits over the phone between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. by calling the reemployment call center that serves your area of New Jersey.
Keep a list of employers you've contacted and jobs you've applied for. Your work search can be audited.
Unemployment can be paid in a check, a debit card or a direct deposit. If you want your benefits direct deposited, have your bank information ready when you file for unemployment.
