NOTE: NJ's Unemployment Insurance system is experiencing record levels of demand due to coronavirus and all in-person services statewide are currently closed due to the virus. We're working quickly to expand our capacity to respond to the record number of residents seeking to file unemployment claims and are committed to ensuring that everyone receives their benefits during this crisis and ask for your patience. No matter when your claim is processed, you will be paid benefits for every week you are eligible. For best results, try filing a claim online or calling during off-peak hours like early in the morning or later in the day. If your call does not go through on your first try, please try again. We understand your anxiety and frustration, and we apologize.

First, visit nj.gov/labor and read about the state and federal laws and benefit programs that may apply to you. There you will also find a helpful chart clarifying the different scenarios and the available benefits in English and Spanish. NJ Earned Sick Leave, emergency federal paid sick and emergency FMLA childcare leave are paid by your employer directly. Unemployment, Temporary Disability and Family Leave benefits require an application to the State of NJ. Individuals should apply for the program that best fits their situation as applying for the wrong one could cause delays.

With the CARES Act, New Jersey's Unemployment Insurance system can help those who are not typically eligible, and provide more benefits:

• Independent contractors, the self-employed, "gig" workers, and those looking for part-time work, are eligible (known as "Pandemic Unemployment Assistance")
• Those who, under normal circumstances, don't have enough work history or who have exhausted regular Unemployment benefits, are eligible (known as "Pandemic Unemployment Assistance")
• Unemployment Insurance will provide an additional $600 per week, on top of regular and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits (known as "Pandemic Unemployment Compensation"). This benefit is expected to begin arriving the week of April 13th and will be issued separately from regular unemployment benefits.
• Unemployment Insurance will give an additional 13 weeks of benefits, for a maximum of up to 39 weeks (known as "Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation")

New Jersey workers who have experienced any of the following COVID-19 situations are likely eligible for help from Unemployment Insurance through Pandemic Unemployment Assistance:

Worker sick, quarantined, or exposed

• diagnosed with COVID-19 or experiencing symptoms and seeking medical diagnosis
• advised by medical provider to self-quarantine due to COVID-19
• member of the individual's household diagnosed with COVID--19

Worker needs to care for family member or household member

• providing care for family member or member of household who has been diagnosed with COVID-19
• individual is primary caregiver for child or family member unable to attend school or another facility closed due to COVID-19
• became breadwinner because the head of household has died from COVID-19

Worker lost employment or hours

• place of employment is closed due to the COVID-19 public health emergency
• quit his or her job as a direct result of COVID-19
• Unable to reach place of employment due to an imposed quarantine or was scheduled to commence employment and does not have a job or is unable to reach the job due to COVID-19

Not typically eligible for Unemployment

• self-employed / independent contractors / 1099 filers / farmers - and impacted by COVID-19
• seeking part-time employment but impacted by COVID-19
• does not have sufficient work history and impacted by COVID-19
• otherwise not qualified for regular or extended Unemployment benefits and impacted by COVID-19

How to Apply

To apply, visit myunemployment.nj.gov. Applicants will be assessed first for traditional unemployment insurance benefits. If traditional unemployment benefits are not applicable to that worker, the application may be denied first and then assessed by NJ Department of Labor for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits.

The Department of Labor recommends filing in the evening or early in the morning. If there are glitches in the systems, keep trying. Please note that it is not possible to save your online application and return to it; you must complete it and submit it all at once. Once you've submitted your application, you will receive a confirmation number at the end of your application; please record this. You will receive instructions in the mail on how and when to claim benefits.

Individuals can find an updated weekly schedule for what time of day they should claim/certify for benefits here. The Department of Labor has also created guidelines to help individuals answer questions when certifying for benefits each week. Following these guidelines will help avoid processing delays.

For more information on Unemployment Insurance, see Frequently Asked Questions During the Coronavirus Emergency for NJ Workers or visit nj.gov/labor.

Updated/Review: 4/8/20

Source: https://www.nj.gov/labor/worker-protections/earnedsick/covidFAQ.shtml