The state of New Jersey has been hit quite hard by the current economic downtown and state unemployment levels have been rising. The unemployment rate in NJ is now 9.7% (up from 9.3% prior to August) which is coincidentally the same as the national average. New Jersey has lost 155,700 jobs since December 2007, when the jobless rate was 4.5 percent.
As a result of these high unemployment rates New Jersey state has qualified for unemployment benefit extensions which were introduced as part of the 2009 stimulus package.
Unemployment benefits currently available in New Jersey
At the moment there are a total of 79 weeks of unemployment available:
- Initial unemployment benefits (UB – 26 weeks) – These are the regular unemployment benefits which are available regardless of the economy.
- Emergency unemployment benefits Tier I (EUC Tier I – 20 weeks)
- Emergency unemployment benefits Tier II (EUC Tier II – 13 weeks)
- Emergency benefits will be paid by the same method as the regular benefits (direct deposit or check).
- Extended benefits (EB – 20 weeks)
- 13 weeks from bill H3548 – Note that this has not passed yet.
The past year has not been very good for a lot of American workers. Because of the 2008 financial crisis and recession – millions of Americans have lost their jobs. The current national unemployment rate is 9.7% as of Sept 4. While many workers will find new jobs within the time period of existing employment benefits – many more will run out of benefits before finding a new job.
On September 22, the House passed legislation called Bill H3548 which will allow any states with a total unemployment rate (TUR) of 8.5% or higher to be eligible for federal funding which will allow 13 more weeks of extended unemployment benefits for those people who have exhausted all the current benefits. If this bill is passed then New Jersey would qualify for another 13 weeks of extended benefits.
Unemployment benefit information for other states
Florida unemployment benefits extension - 20 more weeks.
Will New York add 13 more weeks of unemployment benefits?
New York extends unemployment benefits by 13 weeks
Will Tennessee add 20 weeks of unemployment benefit extension?
Ohio unemployment benefits extension - 13 more weeks
Texas Unemployment Benefits Extension - 13 more weeks
Unemployment benefits extended in 2009 stimulus package.
Bill H3548 - 13 week extension for high unemployment states.
Kentucky Unemployment Benefits Extension - 20 more weeks.
Illinois Unemployment Benefits Extension - 20 more weeks.
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I just called in my last check. Still unemployed. Don’t know what to do. Does anyone know if there is another extension. Did they pass another? are they still negotiating if they are going to pass another? does anybody know what is going on? I cant believe this is happening to me. I don’t know what to do. To all the people going through the same thing. my heart goes out to you.
The amendment does two things:
1) It extends the filing deadline for people who have exhausted tiers 1-3 of their UI benefits and need to apply for subsequent tiers until June 2nd. The underlying bill would have only extended it until May 5th.
2) It would allow the more 400,000 people who have exhausted their benefits since the filing deadline expired on April 5th to receive back payments.
The amendment and the underlying bill DO NOT create additional weeks of unemployment insurance benefits. There are currently four tiers of extended UI benefits, and if you are eligible for all of them (people in states with higher jobless rates are eligible), you can get a total of 99 weeks of benefits. This bill would NOT create a Tier V and the 99-week limit would not change. If you want Congress to create a Tier V, you should check out this petition at Change.org.
By signing this petition, maybe we can make a change for the long-term unemployed!!!!!
John – Read above. I explained everything. Also, if you’d like to keep tabs on bills and amendments being passed or not, go to http://www.opencongress.org. Very helpful and more up-to-date than any other site.
Please, I keep sending a comment and it doenst seem to go through, My initial unemployment ends next month (26 weeks) will I continue to recieve unemployment benefits? someone please advise!
Thank you
Susan
Susan….the best thing to do is actually go to your nearest unemployment office. You will get the answers you need alot faster.
Good Luck…
I live in Brooklyn and worked in Jersey – so I would have to go to jersey. I was told not to worry that i would automatically get the tier’s – just need some confirmation – thanks anyway Matt
http://www.change.org/petitions/view/the_99ers_need_a_tier_v_added_to_unemployment_benefits
For those who don’t know check out this website above. Someone created a petition for approval to add Tier V. I just found out about it today and found it to be very informative.
I spoke to someone at the unemployment office in my New Jersey area and asked about a new Tier V EXTENSION for all long term unemployed in the state. My Tier IV benefits ran out so I was concerned. My person said that over the next several weeks there was a possibilty of a new Tier V EXTENSION for the long term unemployed. Has anyone heard any information on this as a possibility ?
My gut tells me they’ll eventually pass the Tier V, but not after making us all sweat for a month or two. I think it’ll happen mid June.
I went from working as a manager to working as a waitress when my unemployment ran out. I recommend you try to find a job however you can, my work is rough right now but its less stressful to have an employer than depend on a government system that is overworked and unreliable. I also did volunteer work in the interim that was relevant to my field, which helped my resume too.
I haven’t heard anything yet in nj for tier V. I found a part-time job …but only about 15 hours a week. All we can do is try for some kind of income. I am literally at minimum wage but at least it’s something coming in. Good luck to everyone…
Now you know why I have never voted, or will ever vote for any politician…because The United States government don’t give a dam about us.
Ok, I recieved a letter about a week an half ago dated nov, 9, 2009. It said that thier records indicated that i exhausted all state an federally funded bensfits which is true but i just did that on May 5, 2010. It also said i will be recieving a monetary determination letter that will explain my potential additional EUC benefits, followd by a separate certification notice on how to claim continued EUC benefits……ok i was wondering did anyone else recieve this? an why is that date from last year? Im hoping that this isnt something that got stuck in the mail an just getting to me…because that would suck ugh!
Demetri-
I never get invloved in political comments, but I will say, things don’t seem to be getting any better. I still can’t find a job and my husband is no longer allowed to have any overtime. A married couple I know, who work in different fields, both lost their jobs in the last month. My son applied to work in a movie theater, and was told they received hundreds of applications in one week. It’s sad that people who are willing to sweep up popcorn, can’t even get a job. Honestly, despite what the media says, I think we are looking ahead at some worse times than what we are experiencing now.
Ireceived that same letter a week ago too also dated Nov 9, 2009 which should have been followed by the same notices you mentioned. Got nothing yet. Im confused about the date too. Im going down to unemployment tomorrow to show them this notice. I did call in for a claim but I was told I am out of benefits right now.
-Patricia
i tried to claim online just to see if the papaerwork was a delay an they said my balance was zero. So, im still waiting to here something because this is carzy…like why send out that letter with nothing to follow you know. let me know who it goes for you, ill do the same.
plus i heard on the new that unemployment was extended for the rest of the year, weither or not it was for newbies or 99ers
Keep an eye on Bill 4213. It’s being debated today in Congress.
Good Luck to All of Us.
my original claim of 26 weeks will be up in a month,does that mean that with the current law my unemployment will be up or will i qualify for the tiers etc?thank you for ur input and god help us all!!!!!
I received a letter several weeks ago that I was approved for Tier II with a dollar amount that should have carried me through until Sept ( I am a HS teacher & have been out of work for 13 mos now). Last week when claiming my weekly benefits the system said my benefits are exhausted. I called and finally got someone on the phone who said it doesn’t matter what is on the statements or stubs; I am out of benefit because a year has passed?!? I have been given another number but cannot get through so I am hoping to speak to someone in person at the offices today. WTF????
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