New Jersey (NJ DOL) Unemployment Benefits and State Stimulus Programs – Updates And Latest News on Missing Pandemic Payments and Retroactive Claim Processing

The NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJ DOL) via the Division of Unemployment Insurance (DUI) manages the state’s unemployment insurance program. This includes retroactive payments for the now expired pandemic unemployment programs.

New Jersey ANCHOR property tax rebates

Like many states, New Jersey is rolling out a tax rebate program for it’s residents. One such program is the ANCHOR program which expands eligibility via property tax rebates for those who owned or rented their principal residence (main home) as of October 1, 2019. The following are qualifying income limits.

  • Homeowners with income of $150,000 or less will receive $1,500.
  • Homeowners with income of more than $150,000 and up to $250,000 will receive $1,000.
  • Renters with income of $150,000 or less will receive $450.

You will need to apply by filing your ANCHOR benefit application by January 31, 2023, with direct deposit or rebates to be made by Spring of 2023.

Get your biggest tax refund, guaranteed. Get started today.

How Much Unemployment Can I Currently Get in New Jersey?

With the expiry the pandemic unemployment programs, only traditional/regular state unemployment is available for full or partial unemployment claims. The table below provides key details on the latest unemployment benefits and qualifying wage requirements.

You will need to submit a claim or certify your application via the state’s unemployment website (see section below on filing a claim) to get your actual weekly benefit amount.

Note that to qualify for unemployment, your job or hours worked loss will generally need to be involuntary. I.e. through no fault of your own or via directly quitting. Your job and wages must also have been paid/covered by an employer or source that deducted unemployment insurance taxes per state law (see your paycheck).

Further if you are being paid severance via a layoff or able to use sick leave or paid vacation, you cannot claim unemployment.

You will also need to certify for benefits at regular intervals (weekly or bi-weekly), demonstrate ongoing work availability and evidence of job search requirements to keep getting weekly unemployment benefits.

Weekly Unemployment Available with Dependents (Min – Max)$240 – $830
Dependency Benefits: 7% of WBA for first dependent, and 4% for each of the next two dependents (up to max amount)
Max number of Weeks covered in Benefit Year26
Minimum Qualifying Income over Base PeriodQualifying Gross Weekly Wage: At least $260 per week during 20 or more weeks in base period
Part-Time Income or Workers – UI benefits impactEarnings over 20% of a claimant’s WBA will reduce the amount of benefits paid dollar for dollar. You cannot work more than 80% of hours normally worked.
NJ Unemployment Benefits Summary (NJ DOL)

Why is my weekly benefit payment lower than the maximum amount?

Your actual weekly benefit amount or rate (WBA) is the amount of money your state agency has determined you and your dependents may receive for regular unemployment insurance after filing a claim. This can change weekly based on your certification or claim for benefits.

Your actual WBA is based on the amount that you earned over the states pre-defined base or alternate wage period, which are generally based on four out of the last five completed calendar quarters spanning 12 to 18 months.

The higher your earnings, the higher your approved WBA will be, up to the maximum amount allowed in the state. All earnings must be subject to UI tax (covered employment) to be eligible for factoring into your benefit determination.

Any part time or temporary earnings from employment or other activities during eligible weeks you are claiming and certifying for benefits, will potentially reduce the amount of benefits you may get.

Also note that that your state UI agency may deduct overpayments and court-ordered child support from your weekly payment. This will reduce your WBA.

What if I worked or lived in another state?

If you worked or lived in another state during the base year, you should file your unemployment benefits claim in the state you worked in and where your wages were reported. Not where you reside at the time of claim. You can file a claim in multiple states.

Your claim will be paid and governed by laws of that state in which you applied for. You will need to report this on your state and federal income taxes per form 1099-G issued by the state’s UI agency.

Claimants will also need to apply or reapply for UI benefits when they reach the end of their benefit year.

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Can I Still File a Claim for Back Dated Benefit Payments?

If you believe your claim should be backdated, you’ll need to contact the NJ DOL who will then schedule a fact-finding interview to determine if your claim can be backdated. You will still be able to receive benefits for weeks prior to September 4, if you are found eligible for a claim filed before September 4, 2021

If you are currently in an appeal or adjudication process, or have an appointment scheduled after the Sept. 4 program expiry, you should continue to certify weekly, follow NJ DOL instructions and monitor your email.

Claimants with pending decisions may still be paid retroactively for weeks before September 4th, 2021, if they are later deemed eligible.

Note that funds that appear as remaining in your unemployment account related to the federal enhanced unemployment programs will not be available for certification or payment for weeks of unemployment ending after September 4, 2021.

Federal Enhanced Benefits Have Ended in New Jersey

The NJ DOL has confirmed that claimants on the PEUC, PUA, MEUC and FPUC programs will file/certify for benefits for the last time covering the week ending September 4, 2021.

Any active claims, with or without remaining balances, will expire after this date and any weeks after Sep 5th will NOT be paid. The only exception are retroactive payments for validated claims after a successful determination or appeal.

While there has been a lot of discussion around extending pandemic unemployment benefits, the Biden administration has confirmed (see video) that states will have to use already allocated stimulus funding to expand or extend traditional state unemployment programs.

The NJ DOL has not indicated that is planning to do so at this stage and Governor Murphy recent stated the following in recent remarks confirming this position:

The proper way to extend federal UI benefits is through federal action, not a patchwork of state ones. It should be noted here that no state is extending this benefit beyond September 4th. The reality is that continuing the $300 per week benefit through state resources would be cost prohibitive. It would cost at current at least $314 million per week and perhaps hundreds of millions of dollars more.

In other words, we’re talking about well more than $1 billion per month to maintain this benefit at its current level. Overall, the Department has put $33.7 billion directly into the accounts of nearly 1.6 million New Jerseyans since the start of the pandemic, of which $25 billion had been federal dollars. We have some of the most generous unemployment benefits in the country and God knows we needed them.

We recognize the impact that this will have one some families facing unemployment issues. To support New Jerseyans living through the economic impacts of the pandemic, we have invested in rent assistance, food assistance, childcare assistance, healthcare affordably – affordability assistance and other support programs. We have set up programs which are funded through billions of dollars of federal coronavirus relief funds.

Gov. Murphy

Some claimants may be eligible for State Extended Benefits (SEB), but after September 4th all claimants must have a regular UI claim to continue receiving benefits.

$300 Weekly Payment Delay Updates and News

Every few weeks there have been reports of payment glitches/delays in claimants getting the $300 supplementary benefit, which is in addition to their regular or enhanced unemployment payments. This is generally due to the following reasons:

  • Timing issues between the NJ DOL systems and their UI benefits payment processor (Bank of America). These “glitches” have been been getting resolved in 2 to 3 days in most cases.
  • Staggered certification schedule, which is impacted by system outages and upgrades that the NJ DOL is frequently doing. If this delays certification, then inevitable payment delays will follow.
  • Missing payments being caught up a week later due to the above issues. This results in some claimants seeing a double payment following a week of a missed payment
  • Pending Claims mean a 4 week delay. For claims whose status is showing as “Pending” means your claim has not filed yet and likely needs a NJ DOL agent to perform some kind of manual review. Keep checking daily until it changes to “Filed.” Claims that require agent intervention could take up to four weeks or longer due to the unprecedented volume of filings. NJDOL is currently processing agent intervention claims that were filed about one month ago – so this is why you are seeing a delay in payments.
  • Certification or Eligibility issues. If you see a message to call a regional center (via your portal or a mailed letter) it means no further processing can happen unless you call the NJ DOL at the specified number. This is likely to a certification or eligibility issue.

You can see recent examples and further feedback in the active comments forum below this article. I will post further updates as they come to light and you can stay connected via the options below.

Will New Jersey (NJ) Pandemic Unemployment Benefits be Extended Again in 2021 or End Early?

With several states ending federally funded unemployment benefits earlier than planned (see full list) to encourage workers to return to work, there is a strong concern this action could spread nationwide. But the good news for unemployed workers in New Jersey is that most of the states cancelling unemployment benefits are Republican controlled.

So it is highly likely that claimants in NJ will keep ALL pandemic unemployment benefits, including the extra $300 weekly payment, until the current program end date which would be the week ending September 4th, 2021.

However it should be noted that work search requirements are being more rigorously enforced by NJ DOL and there will be a lot more scrutiny of job rejections if not for pandemic or health related reasons.

Please also see the many comments at the end of the article where people have shared their stories, tips and struggles around getting paid under one or more of these enhanced benefit programs.


2021 Unemployment Program Extensions Under Biden ARPA Stimulus Package

Under President Biden’s $1.9 trillion federal coronavirus relief package, known as the American Rescue Plan (ARPA), enhanced unemployment benefits will be extended until September 6th. This would be the week ending September 4th, 2021 in New Jersey. This includes the following extensions:

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) – The PUA program, designed for freelancers, gig workers and independent contractors or those that generally don’t qualify for regular state unemployment, has been extended to September 6th, 2021 (~25 weeks). This brings the total number of weeks in the program to 79. The minimum PUA payment is still 50% of a states average weekly benefit amount and limited to the state’s maximum weekly benefit amount (WBA).

Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) – The new stimulus bill funds another 25 weeks of weekly supplementary/extra unemployment at the current $300 level. Payments for the $300 weekly payment will continue until early September for a total of 25 weeks and eligible claimants – those getting at least $1 from state and federal unemployment programs – can get a maximum of $7,500 if they qualify for all weeks covered in this new extension. The other $100 supplementary payment for Mixed Earners (MEUC) was also extended by 25 weeks.

Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) – The PEUC program, which extends coverage for those who have exhausted regular and extended state unemployment, has also been extended until the week ending September 4th, 2021.

There also provisions in the Biden Stimulus package for Unemployment tax breaks on the first $10,200 of benefits.

NJ workers currently claiming federal benefits will receive an additional 25 weeks. Anyone currently receiving unemployment in any amount will also receive the $300 weekly supplemental benefit. We do not anticipate delays in providing these benefits to most claimants.

NJ DOL update

New Jersey NJ DOL Payment Status of 25-week Extensions – Latest News and Status on PUA, PEUC and $300 FPUC

The NJ DOL has implemented the 25 week extension of benefits to the PEUC and PUA programs. Anyone currently collecting unemployment in any amount will also receive the $300 FPUC supplemental benefit. There have however been some issues noted which you can also see discussed in the comments forum below this article. This includes:

  • There have been some delays in getting the $300 weekly payment. This has been due to technical glitches in many cases and payments hit account 1 to 2 days later.
  • Its still hard to get through to someone a live agent. Keep trying as in some instances you will need a live representative to manually progress your claim or to provide additional information to verify your claim.
  • Many are reporting scam emails to potential claimants asking for personal and private data. Do not share this online or to people you don’t know. Only go to the NJ DOL site to load documents and provide required certifications.
  • While the PUA and PEUC extensions are now available till Sep 4th, many people are reporting a lapse in benefits, which is mainly due to the need to provide additional documentation (PUA claimants) or not filing a new claim after you have reached your benefit year end (see below on what happens).
  • Some people who returned to work and stopped claiming benefits, but are now unemployed again are having a tough time reinstating claim due to manual checks the NJ DOL has to do, which is taking more time than expected. Retroactive payments will be made for eligible weeks but this is a known issue.

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Benefit Year End Reviews

All unemployment claims are required to be reviewed after one year per law. Claimants approaching the end of their benefit year should take no additional action. If your UI claim has been open more than one year then you need to be aware of the following actions:

  • DO NOT attempt to open a new claim.
  • DO continue to certify for weekly benefits according to the schedule.

The review of your claim will occur automatically; the NJ DOL will contact you only if more information is needed. If you recently reached the end of your benefit year, a review of your claim has been completed or is underway. When the review is complete, you will receive confirmation your weekly certification for benefits was successful.

NJ DOL Benefits Year End Renewal Process

2021 Unemployment Program Extensions Under COVID Relief Bill

The $900 billion COVID-19 relief package was passed into law on Dec. 27, 2020, which among several other pandemic relief measures extends and provides additional federal funding for enhanced unemployment benefits. This includes the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) and a reinstatement, but halving of the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) Program which provides a $300 supplemental weekly unemployment payment. I have also posted this video discussing the frustrations around the current $300 payment!

These programs have been funded and extended for 11 weeks (on top of any state funded extensions), covering the weeks of December 27th, 2020 to March 14th, 2021. To receive FPUC benefits, you must be receiving regular UI, PEUC, EB, or PUA.

NJ DOL 2021 11-week Extension Payment Details and Updates on $300 FPUC, PUA and PEUC

Update Feb 9th, 2021: NJDOL has (finally) successfully completed programming for the 11-week benefit extension for the over 75,000 expired PUA and PEUC claims. Claimants who had been waiting and are eligible to claim these 11-weeks should have been notified by email and can certify during their regular schedule once the extended weeks are added to their claim balance. If you have not received your notification AND cannot certify (online or via phone) in the next few days your claim is likely held up due to additional manual processing/verification or you were deemed ineligible. Some examples are further discussed in the comments below.

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Update Feb 3rd, 2021: Unemployed workers in NJ who have exhausted their PUA and PEUC benefits on or after Dec. 26, 2020 continue to face extended delays while the NJ DOL reprogram their antiquated and disparate UI systems to add the 11-week extension. These workers are also missing out on their $300 FPUC weekly payment and will have to wait for an official notification from NJ DOL to resume their weekly certification. Calling and trying to get this pushed through will not help, even if you can get through to someone.

There is no official target date for when NJ DOL will have this done, but I am expecting system updates to be in place by mid-February based on previous program rollouts and NJ DOL sources. Thousands are affected by this and I will continue to post updates across various platforms. I have also discussed more on this YouTube video covering the 2021 UI extension or the PUA extension delay reasons.

Missing 4th week $300 Payment for many (with active benefits): Many readers are reporting that they have not received their 4th week payment. NJ DOL on their social media is only confirming they have made 3 payments – so I suspect the system updates they are having to do for the PUA and PEUC programs have caused these delays. If payments don’t come this week, I imagine NJ DOL will make a double payment next week.

Update January 29th, 2021: NJ DOL has confirmed that they have made three weeks of the $300 FPUC payment to eligible claimants, with the fourth payment coming next week. However this is only for those who can certify and are currently getting state or federal benefits. Those who were getting federal benefits like PUA or PEUC but have now exhausted those benefits (zero claim balance) on or after Dec. 26, 2020 will see a gap in payments while the NJ DOL reprograms their systems to add the 11-week extension approved under the latest COVID relief bill.


DJ posted the following update on Jan 25th: DOL only deposited this week $300 for the week ending the 16th. Then the week ending Jan 23 we get next Monday. We wouldn’t ever get the week ending the 23rds payment today . Because they pay it only when they know you didn’t work.

So the only way you get paid the week of the 23rd is if you file by Saturday the 30th . And for the people saying it’s biweekly it’s not. $300 each week per official NJ DOL update below (some people are getting $600 because it included retroactive payments for missed weeks).

I just talked to someone on the phone at NJ DOL and the way it worked so far was for the weeks ending:
Jan 2nd $300
Jan 9th $300 (PAID $600 for 2 weeks On jan19th )
Jan 16th ( paid today the 25th )
Jan 23rd ( paid on feb1st)

Jan 19 update – $300 Payments coming through for active claimants! Based on reader comments here and on my social media it looks like the $300 weekly payments are coming through. Jackie wrote, “Got 600 deposited this morning a little before 6am. Was never a pending deposit. Just came thru outta nowhere. 1/19/21.” This was confirmed by subsequent comments. So looks like NJ DOL is making weekly payments for FPUC as well but was paying retroactively for the past 2 weeks it missed paying (due to program rollout delays) and so that’s why $600 was the maximum amount received for those who qualified for the 2 weeks.

Al posted the following on Jan 20th, Yes… there’s been much confusion on when the weeks would start or which date the payments would be retroactive. However, it’s basically like this. They’re paying (biweekly) from the week of January 2nd to the week of March 13th. That’s 11 weeks. This is why only a $600 payment/deposit was made to most claimants in NJ. So in respect to retroactive payments, the state was only behind 1 week. The week they tried to issue benefits (January 2, 2021) and the week that benefits started to be issued to claimants (January 9th). The next payable week will be January 16th 2021, payment should be received on Mondays, just like the CARES ACT Supplement Payments were issued. You will NOT receive both your Normal Unemployment Compensation Benefits and the new $300 on the same day. (Unless you’re one of those recipients that would normally receive your regular unemployment benefits on a Monday.) The only eleven payable weeks in 2021 are as follows (week ending): January 2nd, January 9th, January 16th, January 23rd, January 30th, February 6th, February 13th, February 20th, February 27th, March 6th, and week ending March 13th

Delays in payments were attributed to processing the new $300 FPUC while simultaneously running retroactive processing (as required by federal law) for the old $600 FPUC program. Under the new stimulus act, 460,000 claimants currently collecting PUA and PEUC, while 80,000 claimants are collecting Extended Benefits (EB). These groups of claimants are all eligible for an 11-week extension, and should be seeing no interruption in regular benefits. They should continue certifying for weekly benefits and will get the $300 FPUC payment and any eligible retroactive payments.

I realize that not everyone is seeing their payments yet (likely those who had exhausted benefits prior to week of 12/27/20 to 1/2/21) but at least there is some progress. The NJ DOL site is still saying they are “testing” and hard to get a hold of anyone at the NJ DOL, but it is at least good to hear that some people are receiving their payments. Please continue to leave comments at the end of this article with any updates or payment confirmations.


Jan 14 update from NJ DOL : NJDOL hopes to process the newly available federal $300 supplemental benefit over the weekend. An unforeseen complication delayed running the new Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) program last week as planned. No one will miss any weeks of eligibility

Given that 1/18 is a public holiday and updates are happening over the weekend, I estimate that NJ DOL won’t get payments out before 1/19, given delays to date. Please leave a comment below the article if you receive your payment.

January 14th 2020 update

“Though there are still a lot of details needed from the USDOL to begin the work of implementing these new programs….we see from the sheer volume of new unemployment claims that this pandemic continues to affect significant numbers of workers, many who are unemployed for the first time in their lives.”

[Update Jan 13th] The NJ DOL has recently posted on their website (it’s a pop-up when you log on their website for the first time) that NJ residents currently claiming federal benefits (PUA or PEUC) will receive the new benefits without delay, and should continue to certify weekly (remaining weeks will roll-over into extension period). It is expected that these active claimants will see their $300 FPUC payment from mid-January (retroactive to December 27th, 2020).

Note – per several comments and responses, no one in NJ has yet seen the $300 payment! However a reader posted this “Just got off the phone with DOL they stated to me that payments will be processed into accounts at the end of today. Now I don’t know if that means into our accounts and will be there right away or then it has to process with ur bank.” So this likely means payments will start hitting accounts by the end of the week (factoring in processing time). Please leave a comment below the article if you receive your payment.

However anyone who has exhausted UI benefits on or after Dec. 26, 2020 will see a gap in payments while the NJ DOL program their UI systems to add the 11-week extension. These claimants should wait for notification from NJDOL before resuming weekly certification. NJDOL. No date provided for this, but expected towards the end of January.

I have noticed several comments on the mixed messages people are seeing from NJ DOL saying that they were the first to roll out the $300 payment, but yet people won’t get this payment for several weeks. The challenge is that to get the $300 FPUC payment (which is easy to implement since $600 FPUC was there before and only the amount has changed) you need to get the extended PUA or PEUC. So the issue is that the PUA and PEUC programs have had some new changes and criteria under the new law (e.g. additional documentation, you need to use PEUC before PUA), so this has meant claimants who exhausted PUA or PEUC benefits before Dec 27th, cannot file/certify for the weeks which extended coverage is available because NJ DOL is facing delays updating their systems for those programs. And as a result don’t get the $300 either because it cannot be paid because you need to have $1 of UI under PUA or PEUC to get the $300!

Final guidelines on these programs and final eligibility including additional document verification procedures to combat Fraud have been issued by the Department of Labor and then have to be implemented by the state UI agency in their systems and programs. So this could delay the actual date of payments.

UI claimants with existing or expired claim balances should be aware of the following:

  • PUA and PEUC, FPUC will be automatically added to the claimants’ benefits if they are eligible for the weeks outlined in the new legislation.
  • Claimants with weeks remaining in UI should continue to file weekly claims
  • Claimants who will have additional weeks in UI and PUA or PEUC due to state provisions (where applicable) should watch their state agency UI portal or website for updates that will allow additional weeks to be filed.
  • Claimants will receive retroactive payments for all weeks they are eligible.
  • Claimants currently receiving benefits through the Extended Benefits program must finish all weeks of EB before receiving additional weeks of PEUC.

I will post additional details as they are released in coming days. So stay tuned for updates.


Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) Program

NJ has made all final payments under the LWA program, which provided supplemental payments to eligible unemployment benefits claimants who were unemployed, partially unemployed, or unable or unavailable to work due to disruptions caused by COVID-19. Roughly 800,000 workers in New Jersey were eligible for up to $1,800 (or 6 weeks) in LWA benefits.

The NJ Labor Department (NJDOL) has confirmed that LWA payments have been successfully processed on October 21st and disbursed for payment. It could take 1 to 3 business days from this date to actually receive payments in your financial account or debit card due to processing times across financial intuitions,. As such, I expect payments should start appearing in accounts and cards from October 22nd to October 26th. This off course is for the first (main) batch of payments. People who verified late (after Sep 30th) or have had their account flagged (e.g for further processing or fraud) may see payments a few days or weeks later.

Latest Update – It appears that the majority of New Jerseyans are now seeing LWA payments in their bank accounts or debit cards. Check your pending transactions online as well, because that means your payment will be there shortly (within 1 business day generally). If you haven’t got your payment yet, don’t panic as they are still being processed in batches and could take till Monday or Tuesday to get to your account. Calling the NJ DOL/DUI is not going to help at this stage (impossible to get someone). See comments on this article for reader confirmations of the LWA payment across various banks.

From the article comments, many are still waiting on their LWA payment and I will continue to post new information and answer questions (along with the helpful community of readers) as if becomes available.

Why payments were late – Here is the latest quote from Labor Department spokesperson Angela Delli Santi on the delays, “Processing these [LWA] payments required new programming that had not previously been tested, and it is taking longer than anticipated for these payments to go through. People who miss their weekly certification window can certify during any of the make-up times. Early on 10/21, New Jersey “intentionally took down” the state’s unemployment certifying application to [fix issues] and consolidate resources into making the $300 payments.

How LWA payments get made by the NJ DOL: The LWA payment file is transmitted to Bank of America, NJ’s processing bank, then BOA disperses the payments to the direct deposit accounts and debit cards of claimants. This whole process can take 1 to 3 business days.

If your payment is not received by the end of October or is less than you expect you will need to contact someone at the NJ DOL/DUI to look into your claim and eligibility.

The delay in payments has been a source of frustration for many NJ claimants based on the comments on this post and this official update will be a relief to many. Delays were mainly due to the volume of erigibile claimants and the work on the system/application updates necessary for this program, which resulted in NJ being one of the last states to make this payment. More than 800,000 unemployed New Jersyans are eligible for LWA payments. Payments will be made as a lump sum and retroactive to August 1st for up to a maximum of 6 weeks (or $1800) of the approved FEMA funding.

Late LWA payments despite Gov. Murphy saying would be there early this week (Oct 19th)

You will need to complete a one time certification/attestation (via your UI portal) that your unemployment was due to COVID related disruptions to receive the LWA payment. However those who are receiving Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) or regular unemployment (UI) who previously attested to this do not have to certify and will automatically get LWA payments after October 19th, the same way they currently get unemployment benefits. See more details on the NJ LWA page.

The new LWA payment is in addition to Regular Unemployment Insurance (UI), Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), or Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) payments currently available to unemployed workers.

NJ LWA Payment Details

COVID 19 Enhanced Benefits under CARES Act in New Jersey

Under the CARES act, there are three types of federal unemployment assistance now available:

• Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA): expands eligibility for individuals who are typically ineligible for
Unemployment benefits, for example independent contractors, and self-employed and “gig” workers.
• Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC): provides an additional $600 per week, on top of regular benefits, to all recipients of Unemployment Insurance; retroactive to the week ending April 4, 2020. [Now Expired]
• Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC): provides an additional 13 weeks of Unemployment benefits to all recipients.

Double-digit unemployment amid COVID-19 has also triggered 20 weeks of extended benefits the state is permitted by federal law to offer to those who have exhausted all other state and federal unemployment aid without returning to work permanently

Web and/or phone issues with accessing the NJ Unemployment system
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 COVID-19. Some people cannot get through online or on the phone. NJ DUI understands your anxiety and frustration, and we apologize. They are working diligently to serve all our customers and ask for your patience. Please keep trying.

Existing Claimants: receiving Unemployment due to the coronavirus emergency do not have to do anything except continue to certify weekly to receive the $600/week. The additional $600/week compensation will be issued beginning April 14, for the week of March 30. It will be a separate payment from your regular unemployment benefit, and will be available to those receiving benefits until July 25, 2020. Claimants that are eligible for extended benefits will be notified on how to claim these benefits. The 13-week extension will be automatically available to you after your current balance is exhausted.

The NJ DOL recently tweeted the following top two reasons your weekly benefits may suddenly stop (claim not payable):

1) you no longer qualify under federal law

2) you answer incorrectly on our mandated questionnaire

33,000 people did the second last week alone!

Filing a Claim

New users can file a claim online (recommended) here by creating a new account. Existing claimants can file here. You can check the status of your claim here.

To receive your unemployment insurance benefits, you must certify for benefits each week which you wish to receive benefits. You can only certify for benefits after the week has passed. Unemployment Insurance weeks begin on a Sunday and end at midnight on Saturday.

You will certify for benefits according to the most recent schedule, based on the last four digits of your Social Security Number (SSN). In order for NJ DOL to process your weekly payment without delay, please follow the below guidelines when certifying for your benefits – to get your money – each week

woman working on a computer

If there is a problem with your claim that must be resolved before benefits can be paid, or if you have been denied benefits and are appealing the determination, you must still certify for and claim your benefits. You will receive “credit” for the weeks which you have claimed.

If it is determined that you are eligible or if you win your appeal, you will be paid these benefits at a later date. If you have not claimed benefits and you win your appeal, you will not be paid for these weeks.

To try and speak to a live representative around your claim you can try the following numbers (but expect long hold times)
• North Jersey: 201-601-4100
• Central Jersey: 732-761-2020
• Southern Jersey: 856-507-2340

In order to apply online for Unemployment Insurance benefits, you must have:

  • Worked only in New Jersey in the last 18 months, or
  • Worked in New Jersey and any other state(s) in the last 18 months, or
  • Worked for the federal government and in New Jersey in the last 18 months, or
  • Served in the military in the last 18 months and be physically present in New Jersey.

You can also apply by phone.

You will need the following information to apply:

  • Social Security Number.
  • Alien Registration Number (if you are not a US citizen).
  • Pension information (if you are receiving any pension or 401k).
  • Amount and duration of any separation pay you may be receiving.
  • Recall date (if you expect to be recalled to your job).
  • Union hiring hall information, including local number and address (if you get work through a union).
  • Military Form DD-214 (if you were in the military in the last 18 months).
  • Form SF-8 or SF-50 (if you were a federal employee).

NEW CERTIFIERS: If you received notification that your claim is payable, check the NJ DOL schedule page before you certify. Each week, the day and times to certify are staggered by Social Security number (SSN). The day and time assigned to your SSN may change, so check the schedule page each week.

If you miss your assigned time, there is a second window of time that is open to your SSN later on your assigned day.

Additionally, Friday and Saturday are open to certify for any Social Security number. If you miss these time slots, you may use the following week’s assigned time to certify for both the current and past week.

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2,225 thoughts on “New Jersey (NJ DOL) Unemployment Benefits and State Stimulus Programs – Updates And Latest News on Missing Pandemic Payments and Retroactive Claim Processing”

  1. It is tough to see so many people suffer and the desperation. Things are so bad. I’ve never been so disgusted with politicians on both sides of the aisle. Jackasses can’t pull their heads out of their ass to extend another Cares package. Squabbling over a difference of .04 ($1.8T vs $2.2T). Are you fuc*ing kidding me. They hurt us pretty bad with Subprime fiasco years ago and now they are hurting us again by not managing this pandemic properly. Maybe Bernie Sanders was right. Ultra rich are sh*tting on us. They are not suffering. This fight is not over. We still need our Retroactive Back Pay.

    I think people are getting confused here with Direct Deposit vs BOA Prepaid Card which I think you should have elected as a form of payment on the NJDOL website when you first filed a claim. If you have the prepaid card, you will be able to see the pending money through the app. If you are currently receiving PUA via Direct Deposit with any of major banks, it most likely will be in your account tomorrow morning. I confirmed with my rep from Skank of America (BOA) that you cannot see pending if you have a regular checking account that receives PUA direct deposit. Maybe Andy will clear this up with a sticky post above.

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    • I’m still waiting, hopefully tomorrow. But you made me laugh out loud at work with skank of America. . Thank for the info.

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    • Ive been using my paypal account…they do not post it it immediately like chime or cashapp but VENMO does, which is weird because they are owned by paypal

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        • We can check lwa off our list and get back to fighting for our retroactive back pay….smh

        • Yes tomorrow the big day i hope everyone get it and be bless because no telling after this when or where we get more…now so everyone know if you recieved an email thats says E-adjustion or something like that let me know because i got word that you have to comply because some people think its fraud it is not its comes directly from NJDOL and trust me people you wanna give the info to them because i got thru today amd the REP told me that when they first gave everyone funds so people can have money it was just the minimum payment you can received weekly but not surw for everyone but i do believe for everyone well she said WE ARE OLD BACK PAY..because they never calculated everyone actual pay a week thats why they ask for you taxes well 2019 Return because in the system she said we are OWED BACK PAY SO I HOPE THIS INFO HELPS AND EVERYONE FILL OUT THAT FORM THING SO IF YOUR OWED YOU RECIEVED BACK PAY IM ONE OF THEM SO JUST SHARING INFORMATION

        • Unfortunately, alot of folks on here are “Full of Sh*t”. I’ve seen different versions of how the Retroactive Back Pay is suppose to work. What is the full process? How come there is no explanation of the Back Dating process on NJDOL website explaining the entire process and how it works like they do on the NYSDOL website with their Docusign process. If indeed the information you received from this alleged rep is correct, why are the telephone reps telling NJ Residents that they are not entitled to Retroactive Back Pay. It’s real simple. NJDOL should publish a clean efficient process on the NJDOL website explaining IN DETAIL what NJ Residents need to do to get the Retroactive backpay and QUIT half-assing it ALL the time. What about all the people who tried to gain access to their website and could not get through back in April to file claim. What about the guidance from USDOL on Retroactive Pay?

        • Good morning everyone. Just got a text, checked my account and 1800.00 is now available in my B of A prepaid debit account. I truly wish each and everyone else gets there’s this morning as well. Ugh!!!! I can finally now sleep. Thank for all of your postings, and updates from everyone.

      • Hi Angelina
        How long have you been waiting fir “back pay”? I certified on 8/2, but claim started on 3/17. I didn’t know I was eligible (I’m gig worker).
        I called end of Aug ( actually got through). They said 6-8 weeks. I haven’t heard anything and now I can’t get through.
        Any suggestions?
        Thanks

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        • I filed on may 3rd, but out of work since march 8th….. I still never recieved money for period of march 8th thru may 3rd when I filed..they submitted escalation forms several times which were supposed to get a claims adjuster to backdate my claim to march 3rd but nothing ever materialized from that…. Idk honestly what they are going to do to get that money to all of us who are owed

        • No problem! Good luck to you throughout all of your dealings with unemployment

        • Same with me, approved in July but waiting for March backdate. I call 1x a week. Each time I’m told to be patient. They filed 3 escalations . Supposedly escalation s take 6 to 8 weeks to be looked at. Ive been waiting 17 weeks. Hard not to lose hope. They owe A LOT of $$n meantime NJ keeps that money and earns interest on it every day. I KNOW ppl. in NY, PA, that got $15 000 in back pay immediately upon filing. The call center reps are kind, but they have no authority to do much of anything so why not hire some additional “claims examiners” that can actually get it done!! please let me know if, when you get backdate as nd I’ll do the same. Thousands of us waiting for backs psy. Cmon NJ GET IT Done !!

      • Hi Angelina, just wanted to let you know I got my $1800 yesterday morning into my PayPal at 4:04 am (and promptly paid a few bills!!). I out all day yesterday and didn’t get to my computer until this morning. I tried to reply from my phone but was having problems finding the right message to reply to so you’d get it (I still don’t think I have the right message, but at least I know I have the right person!). Thanks again, this message board-turned sometimes therapy session, really helped!!

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    • So I was denied the 20 week extension. Im pretty much fucked here. How can you deny anyone during this time? Its not like I dont wanna go back to work. Im a Union worker and jobs have slowed down and downsized. So work is scarce. Has anyone else been denied this extension? Im gonna appeal it, but who knows how long thats gonna take. Very angry and depressed here. Any insight would be helpful.

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      • I thought you automatically qualified if you exhausted your 26 weeks plus the 13 weeks of pua? But the NJ DOL website states “ The Labor Department said every eligible claimant will be automatically enrolled in the extended benefits when they exhaust their state and federal benefits.

        But the extended state benefits have more stringent eligibility requirements than the federal extension had. These requirements are based on federal law, said Labor spokeswoman Angela Delli-Santi.

        The extended benefit provision says workers must have earnings of at least 40 times their weekly benefit rate during their base year in order to qualify.”

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        • I understand that. I worked last year and made over the 40 times. I dont get it. This is terrible. At a time like this that 40 times shit shouldnt be put into effect. Especially with COVID on the rise again. Only a matter of time b4 shut downs begin.

      • I am so sorry to hear that. Your right why would they deny anyone. How could they think leaving someone with no income is the best or right choice. We didn’t ask to be here. None of us. I’m worried to. I only have a few weeks left if that. Hell, I sit up at night wondering what lyes ahead.

        I have to find a new place to rent. Can’t afford to be here and lease is up. No one will rent to me because I’m on unemployment. Im about out on the streets. I didn’t ask to be here.

        Can’t wait for this to end. Find a job or hit the lottery. Something. I’d settle for a stimulus check. (Ha ha)

        I never knew depression could get so bad before this pandemic. Now time just runs together.

        We all need a break. We all need a Miracle.

        We all DESERVE it after living through this mess.

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      • Definitely appeal it Mayhem. They make mistakes but if you are entitled to extention, file an Appeal, and in meantime, I guess back to the Hustle. I wish you the best.

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  2. Have Chase and no 1800 deposit ,then called and nothing pending… Smh. Anyone in same situation Any info would help

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      • Yea. This is crazy. Checked chase again nothing new and even tried to call ui. Cant even get thru still. Still nothing and everyone looking like they got today. Smfh

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      • Anyone have reg ui and have chase get anything today? Still nothing here almost at end. Never received any email or anything to do if had to…. Been trying to call njdol since Thursday and cant get thru at all in any way…Worried living day to day rn Hoping tomorrow will be better
        This uncalled for wait made everyone’s lives so much worse than needed to be. Any info at all would help Just hope and faith rn

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    • Anyone have TD Bank? I received the text week ago and certified and still nothing pending and says on FEMA Unemployment website that benefit payments have now been exhausted.

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      • I have Chase too but nothing yet. Very frustrated. Some people already got from Chase. So not sure how it works. Waiting and trying to be patient.

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        • Hi Holly
          no did not receive text or email to certify due to covid. All I did was certify every week and only received my regular weekly of $642 yesterday. I tried calling ui today but hold for 1 hour and to be told to leave a number. Holding my breadth for them to call back….haha.
          Let me know any updates on ur end. I will update as . good luck to us still waiting.

  3. I use bank of america still and it shows that i have 1,800 dollars pendimg to deposit tomorrow! So thank god its finally happening lmao

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      • To everyone if you have bigger banks or most likely will post 6 am tomorrow morning I called my bank to check for any pending deposit and she gave me two my regular Unemployment and the pending 1800 just called your bank and asked if there is any pending deposit . depending on your bank deposit time it will be there tomorrow

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        • Al, Did you ever receive yours? Nothing for me! Never received any texts or emails from them asking me to certify that UE was pandemic related and I know that I had certified back in July when I first claimed. It’s SO frustrating since I know so many people that got it even though they have returned to work!!!

        • I pray what Christopher Cherry posted is true. I am so tired of waiting and being disappointed. Like many others, I am trying to keep up with bills, credit, and my bank account is now overdrawn. I have also been getting the “error” message when I certify online (yes, during my time slot). I try to certify over the phone as well but I am told I need to speak to an agent and then disconnected. I was able to check my claim status which says filed and has my $$. I got through to a human being once, who told me my claim was “escalated”, whatever exactly that means. Apparently nothing because my claim is still not resolved, I have yet to receive back pay & LWA. I also reached out to my senator and they have communicated with me that they have sent messages on my behalf but still – NOTHING.

        • i have Chime and nothing i just checked again i think its giung by our claim not the actual bank as i know people who have gotten theres Thursday so idk maybe i will not get it idk sick over all this as we all are and when you call its takes a week or more to get a person

    • Jacky is 100% right. I never knew of the online website and just set up the account and sure enough it shows both my normal unemployment (which I alway get on Fri) as well as the $1,800 both pending for tomorrow. Thanks to all of you.

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    • So I have a question for people who had to certify for the LWA. I received the following texts ……
      NJ Department of Labor has a message for you about FEMA Lost Wages Assistance payment. text 1 for English, text/oprima 2 para espanol.
      1
      To qualify for Lost Wages Assistance payments ($300/wk), you must certify that your employment was impacted by COVID-19. text 1 to continue.
      1
      Was your employment impacted by COVID-19? Text 1 for YES, Text 2 for NO.
      1
      We received your confirmation that your employment was impacted by COVID-19. DOL will assess your account for FEMA Lost Wages Assistance Payments. Thank you.

      Did anyone else certify this way? I’m so worried cause then 8 hours later and hour before the deadline they text me this…….
      Deadline 5pm today: NJ Department of Labor has a message for you about the $300 FEMA Lost Wages Assistance payments. Text 1 for English, oprima 2 para espanol.
      1
      To qualify for the $300/week, your employment must have been impacted by COVID-19.
      If it was, log-in at http://bit.ly/check_claim_status and check the box in “Self Service” before 5pm.

      And of course I did not see that text until after 5 pm. And I thought I was fine because of the text earlier that day and if I had to do more to certify why they wait 8 hours (an hour before deadline) to text that?!?! Any opinions would help. Thank you.

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      • That same thing happened to me. I wasn’t even sure if I had to check that box in the self-service section. and on the NJ unemployment website the description of the FEMA $300 payments was written in rittles and didnt even mention a deadline. I was unemployed and collecting at least 100 dollars per week for those 6 weeks previously mentioned but still have not received any FEMA payments and the box is now gone. I received a text message saying there was a 5 PM deadline I’m guessing on Friday but i didn’t receive that message until the following saturday at 8 pm. So i would never have known. They should have put that tid-bit of information on thier website, i’ve been waiting on this money for months. Even more confusing is it says right at the top is that most people DO NOT NEED TO TAKE ACTION TO RECEIVE these funds. I’ve been trying to call but havent been able to get through. I’m am going to continue to try becasuse we all deserve these payments. and a stupid box that wasn’t explained even remeotely well or even in english for that matter shouldnt be the reason we all are punished and miss out on that money. Has anyone not checked that box and received thier 300 FEMA payments? Please advise. this is so frustrating. I have wells fargo it is now saturday and still nothing is in the bank.

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        • Greg, I checked the box. It was in my claim status. I’m on 13week extension. As of today Monday 26th ,I have not received any deposit from LWA. I have PNC bank.

  4. As of 10:00 am Thursday morning- no deposit. I bank with Wells Fargo.

    And NO Wells Fargo does not show any pending deposits, unless say a check is presented to the bank in person.

    I know so many of you, like me, are watching bank accounts. I wish you all luck. This has drug on too long.

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    • So sad for us, but relieved to know that I am not the only Wells Fargo customer no receiving the deposit that we are owed. I am so frustrated that we 1st had to wait months to collect unemployment assistance and now the additional bit of help that will keep us afloat.

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  5. HEY EVERYONE, if ya have big banks it’ll post most likely b y tomorrow morning. Im on the same boat, but I always get payments about two days later when its sent to my bank. All the prepaid and cash app people got theirs

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  6. To everyone saying the people saying they see theirs pending from BOA are just making that up and its the same person under different names you are wrong. Normally you cant see them on BOA but I checked and see mine pending with tomorrows date.

    Pending Deposits
    STATE OF NJ – LA

    10/23/2020

    $ 1,500.00

    ACH Credit (RDFI)

    If you log into your BOA account it does show this as pending for 10/23.

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    • Nick is correct everyone. I created an account through the website, which I never knew existed, and for my BofA unemployment card, it shows both my regular unemployment along with the LWA monies. So hopefully we all wake up to notifications that the money has posted. Praying for everyone.

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    • Nick plz stop the drama. My name is tim and I set it up with the website on the back of my boa unemployment card and yes both my regular and the lwa are pending with tomorrow date. Sorry you cant see when yours will be there stop trying to stir the pot. This is a serious situation not a place to be a child. We should be pointing in the right direction not saying childish stuff like people got time to post under different names plz bro

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      • You really need to work on your reading comprehension. My post says that the people who were calling them liars and saying people were creating fake accounts were wrong because it showed as pending in my transactions.

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  7. Well I was hoping. I know era all are but at 8:43 am Thursday – nothing. No deposit.
    Well I’ll check tomorrow
    Good luck to everyone else

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  8. We are ALL struggling right now so calm down. Yall should see the money as of this morning in your accounts. God bless and be safe..

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    • on the real honey u can’t tell ppl to calm down u have no idea what some is facing , so maybe if u can’t speak from a place of understand and compassion maybe u should not post !!!!!!!!

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      • While you speak the truth kindness always pays off. O guess if I had my money in hand I would be happy as well. But my being out of work because restaurants are only allowed 25% capacity it reasons well that they would take the for cash only workers back before they hire back the employees that they know are collecting and now those of us collecting are at the mercy of the states out dated computer system. Yet again. So we who have not recieved our funds ar still struggling and with worries. Let those who got revel. Our time will come, someday.
        Just think they ever pass the increase within the heros act we will be waiting again. Yup it is set to give $600 a week from before that number changes they will have to reprogram it to a different number. Sadly they have up to date programmers running computers that were in place long before they were born so they have to keep googling the instructions. We all know how long that takes….hopefully I just made yas smile a little and take your minds off our problems for a little. I’m struggling along with the rest here all we can do is pray. And stay calm..after all we can’t riot. Our luck we would break a computer and then where would we be??

        Thanks all.
        From:
        Wsiting, praying, and frustrated

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      • So true. I was so upset seeing people post they got theres or see it pending. Then on Twitter some post they only got 1500 or 900. So then I’m stressing even more. I have BoA unemployment card. I use app. I NEVER see pending transactions. Only shows money once its actually available. So I felt sick when people said they have BoA and see pending. I’m like…great. Somethings wrong. Then I remembered the bank of America unemployment card website, NOT THE APP. and sure enough it was listed as pending. So posting this hoping others may he thinking what I was..and this will help. My neighbor has direct deposit to regular bank account. She has to call the bank to hear pending transactions. Cuz nothing was listed on app. But her is coming up as pending. So everyine try calling bank..or look at websites..not apps. Hope this helps!

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      • Check website..not app. Google bank of America unemployment card EDD.. Pretty sure that’s website u want. U have to put in user name and password. Or sign up. Then 1 time passcode tgats sent to email. Do it. Should see pending. NOT ON THE APP

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        • Jacky is correct the info is on the back of your boa unemployment debit card. If you just have direct deposit with doa you will not see it. Now tomorrow when everyone got what they are supposed to get I hope this to be a lesson to everyone the people aren’t always out to be post stuff for no reason we are supposed to be helping

    • Do u have the unemployment BoA or ur own BoA account. I have unemployment. I cant even find where to look up any pending transactions. It doesnt even show when unemployment amount is pending. Just shows when its actually there. Is there somewhere I can look? I have app and I called too. Wont show or say pending

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        • Yes .Boa only posts it once it is in an account. Are the batches of deposits for Boa done for today or do they continue?

        • It’s the same person over and over posting boa pending and chime and people are eating this issshhh up! If posted on 21dt boa will see it from Friday and Monday .. they truly are fos

        • DO NOT CHECK APP. that doesnt show the pending. Trust me. I went thru this myself. Google unemployment BoA card edd. It comes up and click on website. Have to have account or sign up. But once u follow directions. U will see pending transaction. So next time just ask instead of claiming people are full of shit. Cuz ur looking at APP. Its NOT ON APP

        • GARY,
          Like weve said. Dont check the boa app. Yes..it doesnt show pending transactions. However…the WEBSITE will show u ur PENDING trans. If i could post screenshots on here I would. Google boa prepaid or unemployment. It will take u to website. Easy as that

      • My card is boa thru unemployment and the money is pending till 10/23. So anytime after midnite it will be available.

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  9. I’m on twitter and people who have a chime card already receiving their payments at midnight. Let’s hope boa is going to hit on the morning. Lets go NJDOL!!!!!!!!!!

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  10. If you didn’t receive an email, and you were getting over $100 in unemployment between August 1st and September 5th, you should automatically qualify. Assuming the option is still there, you can click the “check claim status” link on the NJ unemployment website, and check the box on that page that asks you to certify that your unemployment is COVID related. That will ensure that the funds are applicable to you if you meet the other criteria listed above, assuming that you didn’t already qualify to begin with. If an email wasn’t sent to you, according the the website, that means you qualify. Hope this helps.

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    • I got cash app and it was pending since 10 29 pm last night some of my friends got theirs and why is mine still pending?

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    • We ain’t gonna get this week then New Jersey sucks like why they even tell us Tuesday like don’t say anything if you don’t know next week we gonna get I hope Monday but now we missed this week so what they gonna give us only three hundred we need nine next week this the second week the bill passed

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      • and Monday is a holiday so it’ll be delayed even further. Nice work New Jersey the only consistency we have with New Jersey is the Monumental disappointments

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        • So since Monday is a holiday the state will owe us $900. Do you think they will give us that in a lump sum? I highly doubt it. I’ve had enough with the lies about money that is owed to us. Let’s see what bullshit excuse they have come Tuesday!!!

        • You will get your back payments (state is legally obligated to pay it). But it may not come with your first normal weekly payment since processing retroactive payments is a separate program.

  11. I just want to give a positive update for everyone I have a chime bank account at 11:06 p.m. today I received my deposit for $1,800 for the lwa this is not a hoax I know there was a gentleman posting he had received it I am so excited I could finally pay my rent this is amazing I pray that everyone gets theirs ASAP

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  12. Thank you. You definitely have given me a somewhat sense of calm for the night. We can only wait and see what the next few days will bring.

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  13. NJ DOL Tweet. Don’t know if it is true.
    As was scheduled for this week, NJDOL has successfully processed the $300 FEMA LWA payments. Payment information has been transmitted to the bank, and eligible claimants can now expect to receive a lump-sum payment over the next few days –depending on your bank. Thank you.

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    • Yes it’s TRUE. We will recieve payments as your bank clears the payments in your accounts over next few days .

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      • OUT F’IN Standing !!
        Thanks to all of you who hung together on this and gave TRUE responses ! Nice to have someone just to bounce my frustrations off on and be there for you to do the same. That little common compassion for fellow Jerseyans goes a looooong way my friends.
        Peace and good thoughts to all !

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        • Well said Kevin. People are truly nice, however as far as our Jersey Internal Government runnings, still have a lot to be desired. Murphy didn’t even request the Federal assistance from Fema until well into September. All because he couldn’t put his bipartisan feelings aside for his own people. I hope he stays in quarantine until the next Gubernatorial election.

    • Well if it’s true, I normally get my regular pay the next day, and today is the day I claimed my week. I uses cash app so I couldn’t really speak on other banks or cards. If I receive the LWA or even see it pending at 3am, I will inform you all, that it is coming.

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    • I’m in a bind now. Could someone help? I thought the LWA is auto qualified for everyone so I missed the email requiring the “check off” from the labor department. Any chance to make it up? Or I have to call them directly? Thanks in advance.

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        • Same here. Yes, the link in the email does not show the box any longer. I’m one of 200 in my company that lost their jobs. Some saw the email and the box did not work, some were able to check the box. I thought I did not need to certify and missed the deadline. Saw someone post that they got through to UE and they sent them a link for the form with the box. I have not been able to get through. Best of luck. This whole process is literally making me ill.

      • Hi Harry

        Any news? I had the same problem as o always Cheerio Er the phone and didn’t know about the email until it was too late as they sent it to me one day before deadline. I spoke to 3 reps who couldn’t help at all and told me they don’t know, keep trying the link. Even though I told them the Covid check box was no longer visible.

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        • No result yet. Talked to a rep and she couldn’t help. I sent Labor an email and still waiting for response, although I doubt they will get back to me any time soon. Will update if I get anything.

        • hi, I guess NJ finally is making up the LWA now for some of us who missed it during the first round. Just got an email in the afternoon, asking me to go to “check claim status” area, and attest for the LWA eligibility, by clicking the button in the self-help section. Hopefully the $1800 should be coming soon. Good luck to every one.

        • Do you mind telling me the email address? You are the second person I’ve heard this from but I cannot find the email in my folder.

        • Go to the NJUI website, check claim status, input your info, you will have the option to certify. Check the box. A pop up will come up, tap OK. If the option is there, That is all you need to do, it will acknowledge your response. That’s it. Do not do it again. The email says the box will be blank ever time you try, but your first response has been recorded. Now just cross your fingers and pray. Good luck!

        • Got the email from UI-noreply@ dol.no.gov. It looks like a legitimate one. Then I head to the official website and provide the necessary attestment. Praying it is coming soon.

        • Hi Holly
          I did not receive the email as yet either. But went in the website and clicked on check my claim status. It then opened up an option to click to certify for the LWA money. I click on the box and hope it updates overnight. Because I also spoke to the Senate office and the deadline for this payment is Thursday night @ 11:59 pm. Such a shame….nobody emailed or texted me so far. So please make sure to try to certify if you get that option. Hope it works for all of us who didn’t get paid.

        • Email:
          You may qualify for Lost Wages Assistance (LWA), a benefit that provides additional assistance to people who were unemployed due to COVID-19 reasons. The LWA program is paid through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and is separate from other unemployment programs.

          People who were unemployed or partially unemployed due to COVID-19 for any weeks during the 6-week period between the week ending 8/1/20 and the week ending 9/5/20, are eligible for LWA payment(s). LWA payments provide an additional $300 per week for up to 6 weeks of benefits. The maximum benefit is $1,800 (6 weeks x $300). LWA payments will be paid in a lump sum during the week of November 17th, 2020.

          To receive this benefit, you must notify NJDOL by checking/selecting that you were unemployed due to COVID-19 reasons. You only need to complete the LWA notification process once, even if you were unemployed for multiple weeks.
          To notify NJDOL that you are eligible, log in at myunemployment.nj.gov through the “Check Claim Status Here” link (https://lwdwebpt.dol.state.nj.us/ClaimStatus/claimStatus.htm), scroll down to “Self Service Options” and select the box next to the phrase that starts “To be eligible for the $300 LWA payment_” A pop-up box to confirm your selection will appear. After confirmation, the box will be greyed out. This process only needs to be done once; the next time you log in the box will appear unchecked and not greyed out. We have saved your response; you do not need to complete the process again.

          You may also receive reminder texts from 898-211.

          You must notify NJDOL of your eligibility for LWA payments via the “Check Claim Status Here” function before 11:59 pm on Thursday, November 12, 2020.

          *This email account is not monitored. Do not respond to this email. *

  14. this is what i just saw on NJ web site.

    As was scheduled for this week, NJDOL has successfully processed the $300 FEMA LWA payments. Payment information has been transmitted to the bank, and eligible claimants can now expect to receive a lump-sum payment over the next few days –depending on your bank. Thank you.

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  15. Why couldn’t they just use the same system that was already in place for the first round of federal payments of $600? All they had to do was change the amount from $600 a week to $300 a week for six weeks. There already was a working system in place, which by the way, took them over two months to implement.

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    • Couldnt use same system since money didnt come from same place. 600 was from care act..passed by legislature by Congress. 300 is from FEMA. So apparently entirely new system and programs had to he created. Anyone wanting to verify what DOL said..just look up NJ DOL Twitter. Was uodated about an hour ago. Successfully sent money. So now we wait for banks to process payments. My bank (BoA card) has nothing pending. But I dont think it ever shows pending deposits. So dont worry if u dont see it on the unempkoyment card.

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      • I agree with what you said. Plus it’s a larger amount and there’s more than likely more people being paid The additional money this time around then there were back then with all the new claims that have been filed since then. The BOA card usually only takes one day to pay out after it’s processed. The only reason it takes two days is because it takes a full day to process your claim. I was claiming on a Wednesday I would get an email on Thursday saying it’s processed and then I got paid 24 hours after the processing on Friday.

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    • The order was written expressly prohibiting use of any unemployment resources. So a whole new system had to be created.

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  16. still waiting for my backpay since I filed for ui, now the lwa is delayed, are they going to pay the ui/ pua back pay shame on NJ, I wrote the ui office and the congressman but got no reply, sadly I did not vote for the congressman because he did not reply to my letter.

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  17. Sooooooo……..here is the latest update:”Processing these payments required new programming that had not previously been tested, and it is taking longer than anticipated for these payments to go through,” Labor spokeswoman Angela Delli-Santi said.”

    I don’t understand what the difficulty is. All these other states have outdated systems and they got it done fairly quickly. Coming up on 2 months since NJ was approved by FEMA on September 4th.

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    • Not only did the other states complete this rather quickly. I loved the fact that “that had not been tested” are they kidding. What bafoons would develop a system and not test it. They should all be fired.

      Reply
      • I know….straight out of a comic book. I would assume they are not using any type of Agile, Waterfall type project management methodology. I fear for all of us. It is taking them close to 2 months to figure this out. We are screwed. Deep down, I was hoping they would shine on this one and pull it off and maybe finally turn the corner and help us. I don’t think we are ever going to see the Retroactive Backdated Pay from April.

        You really want to go running screaming into the night. Look how awesome Arizona is. It appears it took them 9 days to figure this out. I would post link, but, I don’t think they like links here which is perfectly ok. I’m thankful we have a resource of information. We sure as hell not getting it on the NJDOL website.

        “PHOENIX – (August 17, 2020) Governor Doug Ducey and the Arizona Department of
        Economic Security (DES) announced today that Arizona has implemented the new Lost Wages
        Assistance (LWA) program to provide unemployment benefits of up to $540 a week, with $300
        per week provided through grant funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency
        (FEMA). Arizona received approval on its application to FEMA, and DES began issuing funds to
        claimants today.” On August 8, 2020, President Trump issued the Memorandum on Authorizing the Other Needs Assistance Program for Major Disaster Declarations Related to Coronavirus Disease 2019. This memorandum establishes LWA, which allows for temporary enhanced financial support to those whose jobs or wages have been adversely affected by COVID-19. LWA provides $300 per week to an eligible individual, in addition to the weekly benefit amount they receive from certain other Unemployment Compensation programs.

        Reply
        • I just check the New Jersey Department of Labor’s Twitter and they said that all lwa payments have been processed and sent to everybody’s Bank and to expect the funds I guess within 1 to 3 days. They just announced this one hour ago so if that’s correct then we should all be receiving our deposits by Friday I’m assuming depending on your bank and how quickly they make it available to you I usually will get mine the very next day so I’ll let you know if I have mine tomorrow morning

    • I couldn’t agree more. I have been trying to make any kind of sense out of it and I’m just making myself crazy. Added stress, I have court tomorrow, and was hoping to be able to pay anything to them at all, so I can be done with them. I hope the Judge doesn’t throw me in jail, when I tell him I can’t pay. UGHHH!!!! Thanks NJ. You truly are the Armpit of America.

      Reply
      • Thank you. You definitely have given me a somewhat sense of calm for the night. We can only wait and see what the next few days will bring.

        Reply
    • I couldn’t agree more. When I explain to someone that is not on unemployment that other states received and exhausted their payments nearly two months ago we all agree- horrible!! Everyone on here has something very important they need this money for. And unfortunately after we finally (hopefully) do receive this payment we will just be sitting and waiting and praying for more help. Horrible endless cycle this state has put us in.

      Reply
  18. iv exhausted my initial balance it was at 73$ i claimed thinking it will extend automatically but the claim says net payment 73 gross payment 73 now the balance is 0. will it just appear on my debit card.

    Reply
    • I have exhausted my 13 week extension. I really hope that the 20 week extension just kicks in. If not then Im fucked. Havent been able to go back to work due to lack of work and downsizing on jobsites due to COVID. Is anyone on the 20 week extension or about to be?

      Reply
      • Idk how the 20 week extension work but I’m on the 13 week extension and it automatically gave me a new balance after I exhausted my benefits.

        Reply
      • Last week I became eligible for 20 week EB. My claim was exactly a year old. There is a glitch when claim is year old. Received certification cannot be processed when I tried certifying. If you are lucky enough to reach an unemployment agent not a call center rep., they may be able to push out your claim date. I was not and had to refile a new claim. If you Google year glitch when claim is a year old, you will get more information. Good luck.

        Reply
    • Benny- when you go to your claim page it will say there is a 0 balance. But after you exhaust your initial unemployment all you have to do is file on the exact same day and time as you have been and 13 weeks of your unemployment will refill. It will never appear on your claim page for some reason however.

      Reply
    • Your extension will automatically kick in after you fully deplete your initial claim. You will get the $73 this week and then starting next week you’ll have to claim again and the 13 week extension will start and you’ll get a full benefit payment of whatever amount you were getting initially. But unfortunately for the extension to kick in you have to be down to $0 on your initial claim. No matter what the remaining amount is that’s all you’ll get that final week, and then like I said just start claiming again next week and it will kick back in. M

      Reply
  19. Please I need a bit of clarification. A recent Tuesday post by Jeremy, indicated that in order to be eligible for the LWA one needed to REVEIVE over $100 in UI benefits as opposed to be “Eligible” to receive over $100 in UI benefits as the DOL documetation indicates. Employees on reduced hours are eligible to receive over $100, but occasionally have sufficient hours which would preclude them from receiving the full amount and consequently put them in a position to RECEIVE less than $100. But ELIGIBLE for more. SO WHATS THE INTERPRETATOIN? THANKS

    Reply
    • Means u have to get minimum of 100 during the 6 am period in order to get all 6 paymenta of 300($1800 lump sum). So if u got $99 1 week, $200 3 weeks, $70 for 2 weeks.. That would mean u are only able to get $300 for 3 weeks. MUST be $100 or more BEFORE taxes.

      Reply
        • Its posted on this site under LWA. Also if u Google requirements for receiving LWA it will tell u guidelines. Plus its on unemployment website. And just read some of older posts. PLENTY of people ask same thing. So there numerous answers throughout the commoents on here

    • this may be helpful. Click the link under “Lost Wages Assistance Program” LWA Program at the beginning of this webpage.

      Question: Working part time or a few hours, will I qualify for LWA?
      This was Jonathan’s example: I qualify for weekly $117 PUA payments every week. This week I worked one day part time and will receive less than $100 from PUA. Will I still Receive the additional $300?

      Answer: The LWA program’s $100 cutoff is based on a claimant’s benefit base rate, which is calculated before any deductions or reductions. This includes supplementary job payments by working part time in a given week, which would reduce your normal UI benefit claim. Because LWA eligibility is based on what you are eligible for or your base rate, you can still qualify for the $300 LWA payment if your actual weekly payment (net of taxes and deductions) is less than $100.

      Reply
      • This is not true. You must receive $100 after claiming part time hours. I’m so mad I was expecting all 1800.00 because of this post, but I only received 1 payment of $300 Because I worked part time and all the other weeks I made less than $100.00 in unemployment after claiming my hours worked. My base rate is 300.00. So I does. Or go off your base rate.

        Reply
  20. i am so glad i found this site. It gave more info than DOL itself. Also glad, although not i a good way, that all of us are just waiting. I did get the email. I did check the box, and now… i just…. wait. Thankfully i found a job in the beginning of September so i have been back to work but i am still playing catchup on things that had to go to the backburner during my unemployment from March. I wish also there was a way to check if you individually did get approved for LWA. When i go to claim status page, it just shows the date of my last week claimed and “filed”. Nothing about LWA. Like everyone else, i check my email and bank account, hoping to see the usual, “NJDOL has sent a payment of $XXX to your bank for processing” and then the next day it would be deposited. but of course as of 12:53 PM 10/21 nothing.

    Reply
  21. Did anyone who have issues with certifying for benefits last week finally get through the UI system?

    I am currently in my 13 week extension period, and my benefit balance says $0, but im only in week 3 of my extension….any ideas? I tried calling them but of course still haven’t been able to get ahold of them.

    Reply
    • It’s going to stay at $0 because your on your 13weeks federal extension, it’s not from the state. But If you want to know your 13weeks balance call your UI number, in your area, enter your info into the automated system and it should tell you.

      Reply
    • LWA payments were said to be processed this morning/I hope this helps and was successful/ they shut the system down to complete the transfers/hopefully we get paid soon.

      Reply
    • It hasn’t happened to me but, I know of other people. It’s some kind of system glitch, you have to keep calling, start at 8 am.

      Reply
  22. It’s Wed Oct 21st, still nothing in my account. ANYONE? I’m starting to think this is coming next week (26th!?).

    Reply
    • Is there anyway to Certify for LWA now? I thought I needed to do nothing, then found an email with a link to certify. It was past the deadline! I’m 64, lost my job after 17 years and this is the first time I have had to struggle with all of this.

      Reply
      • Really sorry to hear about your struggle summers. I can only suggest that if you have been receiving unemployment or already partially revived the $600, it should be automatic (covid related checked previously when you certify for the week) . BUT, the NJ unemployment website update notification (that pops up when you first visit the site) did also say that an email might be sent out with instructions for LWA. I would suggest calling today if you can and suffering through the wait time.
        Website :
        ****
        “Only those claimants who have not yet certified that their unemployment is COVID-related must now do so. We will be emailing these claimants with further instructions. They will need to attest that their unemployment is COVID-related in our online Check Claim Status application by checking the appropriate box in the “Self-Service Options” section.”****

        Reply
      • Hi summers, did you find anything out? I didn’t know about the email either as I always certify over the phone. They sent me the email on 10-15 at 4pm and deadline was 10/16z. I had my son at the hospital during that time and when I got home it was too late. I called and spoke to 3 reps but none had an answer for me, they all said it is a new program and they don’t know.

        Reply
        • Oh, I’m so sorry. I wish I had an answer. If I should get through, I’ll reply to this again tomorrow with the number that worked. Or if I receive it in my bank account, I’ll also reply to let you know. God bless.

      • AG
        I find myself doing the same thing.
        We both have to stop.

        It’s not coming today. Accept it.
        Not good news, I know.

        Maybe tomorrow. We are all in a waiting game. We all need it.

        Here’s hoping tomorrow will be better.

        Reply
  23. Sadly to say, I am somewhat comforted in reading testaments that I’m not alone in this strenuous wait for what I thought was only me as part of the few that had yet to receive the LWA benefit.

    I received my regular UI benefit yesterday, as scheduled @ 6:30am, direct deposited to my Valley National Bank account; and obviously, still no lump-sum payment.

    As I’m sure everyone else is, eagerly anticipating hopes to waking to it tm, 10/22.

    Nice having this ‘forum’ where we can rely on one another for real-time updates.

    Much love and best wishes to all during these trying times.

    Reply
  24. Well, now it’s middle of the week and still nothing. Anyone at all know anyone at all who received there payment? This is total b’s.

    Reply
  25. I don’t know about everyone else, but I think Davey Boys post should be removed, as it’s spreading false information and hope, and someone is going to be looking through these messages for that line that someone got it. I know I was starting to fall for it, but in the back of my head I knew, I had a feeling, but I couldn’t help but be a little hopeful. Don’t do that to someone else it’s ten times more devastating when it turns out to not be true.

    Reply
    • I just went to certify for my weekly UI benefits and received the error message “The UI web application for claiming weekly benefits is not available at this time. Please exit and try again later”. Just GREAT !! No LWA payment and now I can’t even certify for my lousy weekly benefits. What are these people doing? These are peoples lifes, not just numbers on a spread sheet. Has anyone else experienced this this morning??

      Reply
      • Yep. Was supposed to certify at 8. This is ridiculous. NJ just doesnt care that its fucking with peoples lives.

        Reply
        • I attempted using the phone and received message that there was a system problem. Same Ol Shiz !

      • Has ANYONE been able to certify successfully for their regular unemployment benefits this morning? I was scheduled for 8:30 and received the error “The UI web application for claiming weekly benefits is not available at this time. Please exit and try again later”.
        Just want to know if the system is back up.

        Reply
        • I was supposed to certify this morning at 8am. Got the the same message. Just checked. System is backed up. Just gotta wait til 7pm now to certify.

        • I read it was down so they can supposedly do the lwa. It should be up now. It said if not claim on the other days. I need my lwa for rent this is bs

        • I certify on Tuesdays at 10am, which I did yesterday. I bank with Chime and my deposit usually goes through by 5:30am the following Wednesday. Today I woke up to no deposit. Checked my email, I got the email from NJDOL saying the deposit was made/payment released at 6:13am this morning. I usually get this email around 2:30 or 3:00am and then another email from Chime saying my deposit is available around 1-2hrs after that. Well, it’s almost 11am and still no deposit. Really messes up everything for me even though it’s only $200 but I depend on that money. Not to mention, still waiting for that $1800 too. I wonder if the system being down has anything to do with why my deposit isn’t available to me yet. Who knows at this point. Anyone else having issues like this today?

        • FYI… There’s a LATE certification time if you look past the scheduled times. It’s later in the day. If you don’t plan on calling that is. Also, Friday everyone can certify at a designated time depending on your social of course. So it’s not the end of the world if it’s down.

      • The LWA benefits? I got my regular $208 on Tuesday (I qualify Sunday 10:30-11). Thank you for thinking of me however!!

        Reply
  26. I understand how everyone is beyond frustrated with how everything was and is being handled. As well as the overwhelming lack of state officials,past or present,taking responsibility for how system failed.
    Here is a make you think moment:
    You’re appointed a position in 2018 and gained knowledge that the system was in massive need of repair/update. What would you do? The normal response would be to fix it. Since that is part of the job and what you’d get paid for. Yet this is not the action that was taken. The response was cut backs,site closings, and case overloading. And they still got paid. If it was any us normal hard working folks we would be fired right fast. What makes this person so damn special not to be fired for having knowledge of a failing system and doing nothing about it till March 2020. Oh,that’s right they are a State Official who is above taking responsibility.
    Now this vague answers on LWA being paid out. First response blame the system,second response give a blind estimated date,only to change it again and again. When that fails,put the fear of losing their job into staff members to repeat the second response to everyone that asks. And again we pay these State Officials to hand us blinders and tell us don’t look over here at the mess they made. Makes you ponder on the thought do they even give a rats ass about those who where/are waiting on the first response to unemployment claims,about families struggling week to week,or even preparing for any future events that could take place. My answer is HELL NO. They only care when its convenient to them. Do the State Officials think we are all going to take this spoon feed BS any more. We require real answers not fake cookie cutter PR responses. And my personal feeling on the ass dragging is waiting on the election. Bc if a new president is elected they could over turn any former presidents executive order. So those states who have not paid out could most likely be able to keep the allotted funds. And this is people we pay with our state tax dollars. Did any state official say allow me to help the people by giving up part of my 5 figure salary? If they did i missed it. If a state official did that i be inclined to make sure they where re-elected bc that shows me that they are willing to go through the same hell we are.

    Reply
    • Ms. Marple: Well stated. It is hard to think that human beings can be this cruel to one another; not to mention that we are talking about our own tax money. Not a peep out of NJ politicians. They will lose their jobs via vote next year and follow Murphy right out the door. All Democrats from Assemblyman to State Senators. ALL OF THEM. NJ cares nothing for us. Becoming more evident now. They are not even trying to make a difference. No communication and cryptic public statements from NJDOL speaks volumes. They are just bullshi**ing us. Anytime you have someone tell you you will receive something the “week of” and not a specific date is a Red Flag. I fear we may not see anything this week for the sake of interest income or whatever the fu*k they are doing. Probably looking at next week at month end. Again, I’m not sure about this interest conspiracy theory, but, it sure seems like it is the case. One would hope at some point, a law firm will step up to the plate and represent 800,000 NJ Residents.

      Reply
  27. As a life long jersey resident im not even upset… im just genuinely tired of our state doing us wrong… pot holes galore/the medical marijuana program sucks/ were not receiving our money on time/ the infrastructure sucks! The governor terrible… but hey the bagels are good!

    Reply
  28. STILL WAITING for LWA its WEDNESDAY. also waiting for backdate for 5 months. It’s almost criminal that NJ leaders gloat about how the States Unemployment system is fixed, even great (lol). NJ makes interest $$ on the millions in the back pay every day they keep it from entitled unemployed people. Also, some people dont even know enough to request a backdate so does that mean NJ just keeps $$ they were supposed to get? BEYOND frustrating, depressing and nervewracking. When you get the “call center” your told ” just be patient “. Try saying “just be patient ” to your bill collectors, they repo your car, etc. TRAVESTY

    Reply
  29. 5:17 am – no lump sum as most will see I guess. Another day of of worry and frustration I guess.
    Stock pile running low. Bills due. No response to applications. Depressing. This has been such a mind game and I feel myself losing. Each day it’s becoming harder and harder to remain focused. Went from worrying to depressed to out right scared what the next day will bring. Sorry but I know many of you are feeling the same way.

    Reply
  30. Today its 3am wed. It is my day to recieve my regular unemployment. At 230am my regular UI went in. Which never happened before. Always goes in at 630am. Anyone else get their UI hours earlier than usual?

    Reply
    • Thanks for saying something Jacky, I save all my emails from the bank and NJDOL, and while my day for deposit is Tuesday, it did go in almost two hours earlier than normal. (4am instead of 6-6:30). Not sure what, if anything, it means, but that looks like the first time that’s happened since I’ve been collecting.

      Reply
    • Good Morning. No, I didn’t receive the LWA lump sum. I was scheduled to certify for my weekly benefits and the whole system is down. I took screenshots of it. It said that the application to certify for benefits is down(October 21st) and to check back later. What kind of bullshit are they doing here?? Has anyone else who had to certifiy had this problem? Why is NJ and Murphy trying to fuck all of us??

      Reply
    • Still nothing but the regular weekly payment! This is all a bunch of bs. They have not sent any payments yet and they should have at least started sending them on Monday. They have had over a month to figure out how to sent 1 payment and they still have not figured it out. What on earth could be the delay now!

      Reply
    • Mine would usually go through around 2 or 3am, well that’s when I would get the emails stating the payment was made. I’d then get an email from Chime saying my deposit is available around an hour or two later. Today I didn’t get an email from NJDOL until 6:13am though. And it’s now 11am and I have yet to see that money in my account. This has never happened before, it always was available to me on Wednesdays by 5:30 or 6am. Idk wtf they’re doing over there at NJDOL, if the system being down has anything to do with Chime not being able to verify the deposit to release it to me or what but this has really screwed up my day now.

      Reply
    • Cough cough bs bs cough sneeze fart bs bs burp sneeze fart cough, no one recieved it except there usually unemployment deposit

      Reply
  31. Anybody in NJ get the lump payment yet who has Chime bank? I’m wondering cuz chime doesn’t hold deposits so we usually get all payments/deposits within a few hours from the deposit being sent to our accounts. I still haven’t gotten anything except my usual weekly amount. It’s nerve wracking since no is a mess with this whole lwa thing, but then even if I know I def am eligible for the $1800, I’m so nervous that min will just screw it up n missed people like they always tend to do. So many folks are still waiting since March for regular benefits, so I can’t help but wonder if I (or any of us) might just end up being passed lol ver. . It’s so horrible that this is even something we have to worry constantly about during such a hectic time in life. Good luck everyone, hang tight! Atleast we have each other

    Reply
  32. I also read that it could be be the end of this week or the beginning of next week which to me has become very concerning, confusing and I might add stressful. NJ has become so negligent and unconcerned.

    Reply
  33. Hi how do you even check the status of the 300 u employment we are supposed to get this week I see everyone saying it’s pending how do you see that and where ? Ty

    Reply
  34. This is some serious bullsh*t. I wonder if all the other states got delayed like we’ve been delayed? Out of sight out of mind. Governor Murphy’s good with his money so he can care less what’s going on with everybody that’s waiting on their unemployment. I wonder if it’s going to say its pending on my bank of America statement or if it’s just going to drop into our account? Because when I was getting my unemployment last month I always saw my money pending on Monday and it always hit on Tuesday but I still see nothing pending on the Bank of America statement on my online app. I keep coming on this site every day to see all of your comments I’m so glad you guys are letting everyone know what’s going on so that we know we’re in this by ourselves. I’ll be back on in the morning to check again to see what the status is with everyone hopefully we’ll see something first thing in the a.m.

    Reply
  35. I certified sunday and I use chime so my regular benefits came yesterday. Why wouldn’t the LWA come with my regular amount? Is it suppose to just randomly be deposited sometime this week??

    Reply
    • Its a different system/program and it appears LWA payments (which are delayed) will come separately later this week.

      Reply
      • October 21st est, payments delayed of course nj why would you want to release lwa deposits, oh and possibly could be next week, gtfooh

        Reply
      • Where do you see it saying “the 21st or possibly next week” anywhere? This is absolutely unacceptable. Possibly next week, no, definitely next week my phone will be shut off, but hey I won’t have to get all the collections call I’ve been getting. Creditors are only so understanding with this pandemic, and as much as I get mad at the calls, I know the other person is only doing their job but sure Gov. Murphy, I’ll keep waiting, I should forward my number to his office and see how they like getting all the fucking phone calls.

        Reply
      • Hey Marvin. Can I ask what “law” is which states payment is pending? To be honest, payment pending is a good thing. Means payments are being processed, but they are just pending. I wouldn’t confuse this with being “delayed” though I understand the negative thinking as I’m beyond anxious for this FEMA money my friend. Would be a weight off my shoulders like only you fellow sufferers could understand.

        Reply
        • Sorry Al, I typed LWA, don’t know why my keyboard thought that it was doing me a favor by correcting me.

        • Its been saying payment pending for months now the other day it said paying now then went back to pending wat type of shit is this

    • I’m the same as u! I was expecting them hopefully yesterday with my regular benefits. But, of course, nothing =(

      But, also like the $600 enhanced prior benefits, I’m guessing it’s obviously going to be a separate payment.

      Reply
  36. By some kind of miracle I got through to North Jersey unemployment. They are supposedly sending my info to someone to “unfreeze“ my acct (which apparently was frozen because I was self employed ). Waiting for either my back pay to show up form March or some form of communication if they have questions. We’ll see but I wanted to post the phone number since I got through today: (201) 601-4100

    Reply
  37. Just like everyone else on this site, I’d greatly appreciate anyone responding to my post that they received their lump sum payment. I normally don’t get my payment till Friday so I won’t panic till then but just knowing someone got their money would put my mind at ease. I appreciate anyone who replies with that good news.

    Reply
        • not specific to an individual. It says ENTIRE state pending, DELAYED on the saving to invest link. It lists every state. NJ only one not paying yet. They make $ in interest every DAY they hang on to our $. inexcusable

      • Well it’s Wednesday and no money yet it still says payment pending delayed I’m hoping it will be released tonight

        Reply
  38. I haven’t received anything yet . If I was out if work for the eligible weeks and then found a job, can I still get lwa assistance money. I have so many backed up bills.

    Reply
    • Hi Deb,
      I am asking the same question.. I was unemployed as a school bus driver during the weeks from Aug 1 to Sept 5.. I was called to return to work on Sept 10th, and no one has any answers to this question of being eligible for the 6 weeks of LWA.. Please let me know if youu hear anything.
      Thank you,
      Karen

      Reply
      • Karen – If you were getting over $100 in other UI (PUA, PEUC or regular UI) then you would be eligible for LWA if unemployed between Aug 1st and Sept 5th. And ensure you verify/certify for LWA why your NJ UI portal.

        Reply
        • Thank you Andy..
          I was unemployed due to Covid and was recieving more then $100 wk + $600 LWA.. But do I have to go back to the unemployment site and reapply again.. I haven’t had to claim for about 6 weeks now?.

      • Hi Karen, still can’t find a answer. I just don’t understand how I would claim for this benefit if I have returned to work. I wasn’t sent any email or message yet. I would just like to know.

        Reply
        • Hi Deb, I haven’t recieved any emails or messages either.. Hopefully we will get an answer on this site.. NJ never makes it easy!

        • I happened to see on the “Check your Claim Status” if you scroll down the page a checkbox you could click if you were unemployed due to Covid. I did it, but I still haven’t seen anything. They never even told people it was there I randomly found out when checking my claim. Everything with them is random, no process what’s so ever. If they can’t handle a claim they put it aside. It’s horribly unprofessional.

          Not sure if the link is still there where you can check the Covid Reason box, but do check. It’s not there for me anymore.

        • Karen and Deb, if you certified during the weeks before you went back to work (Aug 1 – Sept 5 for Karen), you’ll get the additional $300 for each week you were unemployed (due to Covid). As long as your claim initially stated that your loss was due to the pandemic, you don’t need to do anything else.

        • I also read that it could be be the end of this week or the beginning of next week which to me has become very concerning, confusing and I might add stressful. NJ has become so negligent and unconcerned.

  39. Gov Murphy said the payments would be early this week. As of tomorrow, early week is done. It will be middle of week..then late week. So I bet NO ONE got anything yet. And the status should not have changed from payment pending to paying now. Its not paying now.

    Reply
    • Gov murphy said its paying from the week of the 19th which was yesterday..on the site its paying now so we have not received anything because Murphy said it will take 1 to 3 business days from the 19th so between now and the 22nd of this month be the 1 to 3 days for the bank to deposit now lets keep in mine he still said it go as your regular unemployment how we get it in like 2 days once you claim so if you already claimed before the 19th you wont see the 1800 until after the 19th because again they started on the 19th so allow for the bank 1 to 3days but you claim your payments like a monday it still should come in as your regular payments you get on a Wednesday but no one see any money now because he said allow 1 to 3 days from the 19th which would be the 22nd the latest

      Reply
      • No. Tgats NOT right at all. Stop passing iff bad info. Yes 1 to 3 days to process. But no one said its definitely going the 19th and up to 3 days later will post. People have called their banks. There’s NOTHING PENDING. So nothing was deposited. So can’t even start 1 to 3 day count down.

        Reply
    • I would think early week of the 19th would be considered Monday and Tuesday, and Wednesday is the middle of the week and Thursday and Friday is the end of the week etc.. I read something that they tried to deposit funds Friday and system crashed and it guy’s are working on it or something

      Reply
      • Yea I saw people saying that too but no one can actually prove it. So I wouldnt believe that at all. Think about it..the system crashed before even 1 payment went thru? Doesn’t make sense

        Reply
        • I just went on the Department of Labor’s website and clicked on the link that offered information on the lwa payments and it said this in bold lettering:

          The money will be paid in a single, lump-sum payment during the week of October 19th.

          So they are promising that we will receive a lump payment of up to $1,800 as long as you are entitled to the $300 for the entire 6 weeks.

        • If you go on Governor Murphy’s twitter feed, on October 15th, he posted saying that “Eligible claimants can expect to see this money as a lump sum in their bank accounts or on their debit cards early next week” [Tweet in article] That’s why everyone is so frustrated. He should’ve just given an approximate date range. And it would’ve been smart to even just say payments will be sent out between Monday and Friday of next week. He dug is own grave by specifically saying that we will SEE the money in our accounts EARLY next week lol. If he had simply been more vague, people wouldn’t be as upset right now.

      • Hey Davey. That’s great news man. Just knowing one person got it puts my mind at ease. I’m with you that any positive response is better than any negativity. Thanks for letting us know you received your FEMA funds. Good luck with it man.

        Reply
      • Did you receive a notification that it was sent to your bank? I get one from the DOL for my regular PUA the day before it actually hits saying it was sent to my bank. I also got one when I was getting the $600 from the CARES act. I’m happy you got yours, but I still can’t help but be nervous because I haven’t seen anything saying that’s it’s been sent. It’s hard talking to my creditors, because they want a specific date of when I can pay, and I had already said Monday (yeah my fault for listening to some of the posters on here and believing them) and they don’t want to hear “well, I think it might possibly be *insert date here*”…..

        Reply
      • How do you use Chime as of last week Chime says that the DOL in NJ doesn’t allow deposits to their bank. I’ve tried so I use my BOA account.

        Reply
      • Oh no! Now I’m really nervous cuz I have chime too n haven’t gotten anything yet lol. R u regular UI or PUA? I’m really happy for u tho!!!! Hope they keep coming to everyone now lol. I hope I didn’t get skipped over .

        Reply
      • Only you got it ? Your literally the only person to be paid . You’ve been paid your LWA funding?
        Send a screenshot to me [email protected] because its 6 hours later and still nooone else has gotten anything. I would love to be able to tell my facebook groups at least someone recieved a payment . but noone can show any proof this has been the main issue.

        Reply
      • Hi Marvin,
        Is there a way you can check your status? I keep reading people say there status is pending. Where can I find out about my payment?
        Thank you!

        Reply
      • Njdol would not let me use my Chime bank account but my cash app was accepted so Im confused like are you giving false info?? Your the only person that is claiming you got the1800, but why the payment saying
        pending/ delayed. I think your telling a fib sir.

        Reply
      • Yea.. U can’t go by what the tracker of this site says. He has no inside info. He knows NOTHING we dont know. Its switched to delayed oct 21st cuz the 19th and 20th didnt happen. So next will be 21st. Then 22nd and so on

        Reply
        • I am struggling if I dno what to do I been unplowed since June 28th my family struggling we living like shot these people don’t giveafuck about us for real these mothersfuckers didnt back pay my shit I was waiting forth weeks didn’t get back date I got regular payment Fter month can any one say please if they get this payment I know y’all struggling and got family we need this bread to survive New Jersey one the most expensive states please let me know any one got

      • No u didn’t. I find it amazing that people lie about the dumbest thing. We all know u DID NOT get 1800. Why would DOL decude to pay only 1 person out if 800,000? So shut up. No one wants to hear ur bullshit.

        Reply
  40. Andy,
    I see it says Paying now for LWA NJ. Is that actually confirmed? Or is it just going by the date of the 19th? Have u been able to find ANYONE who has received the 1800? Doesnt seem like anyone has been paid, as of yet. Just curious if its based on fact or just based on the date NJ gave.

    Reply
        • YEA THATS WHAT I SAID WHY ONLY 2 PAYMENTS BUT ON THE SITE IT SAYS WE WERE ONLY GETTING THE 600$ PAYMENT FIRST THE WEEK OF THE 2ND&9TH THE 16TH IM GUESSING NEXT WEEK HOPEFULLY BUT ABOUT TIME THEY DO THAT WE BE DUE FOR ANOTHER 300$ SO THAT BE 600$ HOPEFULLY THEY DONT SHORT US THIS TIME

  41. Has anyone as of Tuesday October 20 at 9am received their payment? Still very confused as to exactly when we are supposed to receive it. Paying out “the week of October 19” is obviously self explanatory but very curious if anyone has sofar. Thank you!

    Reply
    • So far nothing has been deposited into my account. I’m hoping it’ll be in my account by Thursday. I know that for some banks it takes 1 – 3 days for the deposit to show up in your account. I would like to know if we’ll get an email letting us know that the money was sent to my bank like when they send my regular unemployment money. I plan on posting a comment as soon as I receive the money so in the meantime I’ll continue this 2 month long waiting game.

      Reply
    • Nope nothing yet i wish they werent so vauge like we already have anxiety from the virus now i have anxiety on when im going to get paid

      Reply
        • I didn’t get anything rather buy I don’t get it how they gonna give us the other weeks we missing so we caught up they just gonna give us 300 instead of the two weeks they missed that’s bullshit

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