Self-employed, independent contractors, and gig workers:

The recently enacted CARES ACT extends unemployment benefits to freelancers, gig workers and independent contractors, who typically are not eligible.

To see if you are eligible for benefits, refer to this guide created by the New Jersey Department of Labor, and to learn more about how to apply for benefits refer to this guide.

Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation

The New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development (NJDOL) is awaiting federal guidance on determining eligibility for Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation and anticipates that guidance arriving soon. Meanwhile, these workers should apply for unemployment insurance. The application likely will be denied, but that initial denial is a necessary step toward being able to collect the COVID-related benefit. Next, these workers should gather their past two years of tax returns, which will become necessary for their claim to be processed once federal rules are established.

Additionally, the $600 supplemental unemployment insurance for all recipients is expected to begin arriving during the week of April 13th. It will be issued separately from regular unemployment benefits.

For more information, visit the New Jersey's Department of Labor FAQ resource guide.

To see if you are eligible for New Jersey's Unemployment Insurance, Temporary Disability Insurance, Earned Sick Leave, and Family Leave Insurance programs visit: https://www.nj.gov/labor/worker-protections/earnedsick/covid.shtml

Business Owners

If you are a business owner, information regarding unemployment insurance eligibility can be found at NJDOL's Information for Corporate Officers & Business Owners.

In addition, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority recently announced several new programs to support thousands of businesses and their workers facing economic hardship due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus COVID-19. The initiatives include a grant program for small businesses, a zero-interest loan program for mid-size companies, support for private-sector lenders, funding for entrepreneurs, and a variety of resources providing technical support and marketplace information. For more information read this article.

New Jersey businesses are also eligible to apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs). These are working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster. These loans are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period. Learn more on how to apply and if you're eligible here.

Posted/Updated: 4/15/20

Source: https://www.nj.gov/labor/worker-protections/earnedsick/covid.shtml; https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/3548/text; https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/economic-impact-payments-what-you-need-to-know; https://blog.ssa.gov/commissioner-of-social-security-shares-update-about-covid-19-economic-impact-payments-for-beneficiaries/