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. As of 7:12am..on 1/19..I was only deposited $300. No retro from previous weeks was included. Doesnt make sense to me if indeed they stated payments would be retroactive

    Reply
  2. Got 600 deposoted this morning a little before 6am. Was never a pending deposit. Just came thru outta nowhere. 1/19/21

    Reply
    • DID YOU RECEIVE THE 600 WITH YOUR REGULAR BENEFITS? I HAVE NOT RECEIVED IT AND I STILL GET MY REGULAR BENEFITS BUT MY WIFE RECEIVED HERS AND HER CLAIM BALANCE SAY 0$ THAT WAS BEFORE XMAS BUT THEY GAVE HER AN EXTENTION RIGHT AFTER BUT ONLINE HER CLAIM STILL SAY 0$ EVEN WITH THE EXTENTION MY CLAIM DONT SAY 0$ I NEVER REACH THAT BUT I HAD LIKE 5 PAYMENTS LEFT AND BEFORE I CAN GET TO THAT THEY GAVE ME THE EXTENTION BUT JUST WEIRD I HAVE NOT GOTTEN THE 600$ TODAY

      Reply
        • I have not yet received my 2nd $600 puec benefit. I’m still waiting it is beginning to be frustrating. I’m a single mom who has 3 children and a elderly grandmother. I exhausted my year of regular benefits with a balance of $810. Unemployment told me to file a new claim I have did that then to speak with someone that tells me I have to wait 8 weeks for a review, that is bull. I’m out of due to covid. This is crazy I need something done because how do unemployment expect someone to wait 8 weeks with children and Bill’s. I’m so aggravated with whole situation something needs to be done.

      • YES HOPEFULLY WE GET THE 600$ NEXT WEEK SINCE WE A WEEK BEHIND THATS IF NJ DONT DO BS AS THEY DO WE SEE THE 600$ BUT KNOWING THE BS IT PROBABLY BE ONLY 300$ AND THEY JUST KEEP THAT WEEK BEHIND WHICH THEY SHOULD NOT.

        Reply
        • Still Nothing on my end. Just sent another scathing email to everyone including My Senator, My Congressman, Governor, NJDOL,ect. I was told that my benefits were exhausted as of 12/26/20. Received a notice in the mail from NJDOL saying that I was eligible for EB As of 12/27/20. Have not received any kind of information from anyone or any Office. Cannot get through to the UI Office by phone, and no response from Emails. I literally have not .10cents to my name as of yesterday. No Gas, no food, no Medication, I can’t pay my child support so there most likely will be a warrant issued for failure to pay. This is the worst living Nightmare I have ever experienced in my 45 years of life. I’m very, very close to going to a very dark place, and never returning. God help me!!!!!!

    • Received mine this morning also. For those who think they should receive $900 – Trump signed the 2nd Cares Act on December 27th, 2020. I’m under the impression and correct me if I am wrong that what you received today was for the weeks ending Jan 8th & 15th ($600). I’m not sure why we have not received for the week ending 1st since Trump signed on the 27th. I’ve never been more disgusted with both out Federal & State governments regarding how this has been handled. All these morons had to do was handle the Pandemic better and continue with $600 FPUC weekly from April – December 2020 and the country would be in great shape right now. NJDOL took some serious heat on Twitter when they announced delays in receiving 2nd round of $300 FPUC.

      Reply
      • From everything I have read from NJ, they are beginning payments from the first week in January….not sure if that means that they will pay the first payment of $300 eligible 12/27 on the backend???

        Reply
        • Yea…a bit confusing. So does that mean we received the week ending the 1st & 8th today 19th ($600) and we will receive another $600 for the weeks ending the 15th & 22nd on January 25th??? Last year, I certify every Sun and received FPUC the next day (Monday) & PUA $231 the following day (Tuesday).

        • Yes you are correct the 600 was for weeks Jan 2nd & 9th and I beleive we will be getting the 300 extra each week until march if im not mistaken . correct me if im wrong.

        • Yes it’s a week but how unemployment doing for us to receive it is by every two weeks so the 16th and 23rd we get 600 come this Monday then the 30th and 6th we get that 600$ and so on

  3. Northjersey.com reported today that Murphy said we should get the $300 on Tuesday, the 19th. Let’s hope he’s right this time.

    Reply
    • I sure as hell hope so thats for damn sure. Fingers crossed!!! I didn’t come across anything stating this but hopefully your right sweetie..hsve a great night & good luck to everyone!!

      Reply
      • AS OF 1/19/2021 IT WAS TOLD ON THE SITE THAT THEY WILL GIVE 2 PAYMENTS OF THE 300$ EVEN THO WE ARE ENTITLED 3 PAYMENTS WHICH SUPPOSED TO BE 900$ BUT WE ONLY GETTING 2 PAYMENTS WHICH IS 600$

        Reply
  4. Northjersey.com reports delays in extra $300 payments (Surprise!). Here’s the first few paragraphs of the article.

    New Jerseyans receiving unemployment benefits expected to see $300 in extra federal jobless benefits starting early this week, but the state Department of Labor said Tuesday that “challenges in processing” the payments are causing delays.

    The state agency said last week that claimants should see federal supplemental benefits in their bank accounts or debit cards with “no gap or delay,” after President Donald Trump signed a new stimulus package that included these extra checks between Jan. 2 and March 13 for everyone receiving unemployment.

    “No one will miss any weeks of eligibility,” the agency said in a statement to NorthJersey.com. “The unforeseen complication arose running the new Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program while simultaneously running the prior program, which has different payout amounts.”

    Reply
  5. As of 1/13/21 the extra $300 to unemployment in new Jersey is delayed. When the funds are distributed will they be backdated for the first two weeks it was delayed or will the first payment just be $300 and continue until the full $3,300 is exhausted?

    Reply
    • I don’t know didn’t see anything let me any one if you do please we all need money it sucks hopefully by Friday

      Reply
      • AS OF 1/14 STILL NO MONEY I HOPE BY TOMORROW TOO THIS RIDICULOUS PEOPLE NEED THEY MONEY THE SYSTEM CANT BE THAT MESSED UP WE JUST HAD IT UPDATE FOR THE PREVIOUS FUNDS

        Reply
  6. What about the folks who were unemployed just prior to the pandemic? We’ve been called ‘59 weekers’ because we’ve exhausted all benefits – 26 NJ reg UI + 13 Fed PEUC+ 20 NJ extended benefits. The job market is horrible! And we are being forgotten with this new bill. No one from my legislative districts can find direct wording that applies to us. Who can help us??

    Reply
    • From what I understand, you will be eligible for the extended benefits when NJ rolls them out (and so far not the greatest roll-out). You may need to file a new claim, as in a new benefit year, and the then if you are denied for that (including the PEUC extension) you could get PUA for the extra 11 weeks.

      Reply
        • Correct. Or you should just file a new claim once you see your state has updated their UI system to process these (check their website regularly)

      • QUESTION IS THE 600 SUPPOSED TO COME WITH YOUR REGULAR BENEFITS YOU RECEIVE EACH TIME YOU CLAIM? BECAUSE MY WIFE RECEIVED HERS TODAY BEFORE 6AM BUT HER CLAIM BALANCE SAY 0$. HER LAST CLAIM WAS BEFORE XMAS BUT NJDOL GAVE HER AN EXTENTION RIGHT AFTER EVEN THO HER CLAIM STILL SAY 0$ BALANCE I NEVER REACH THE 0$ BALANCE BUT NJDOL GAVE ME AN EXTENTION BUT I HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE 600$ ? MY WIFE CLAIMS ON SUNDAYS SO BOTH MONIES HIT TODAY 1/19/2021. I CLAIM ON MONDAYS BUT TODAY I DONT SEE THE 600 DO IT SUPPOSED TO COME WHEN YOUR CLAIM HIT THE ACCOUNTS? LIKE THE SAME DAY OR THE 600 COMES ANYTIME? IM CONFUSED BECAUSE I THOUGHT LONG U HAVE A BALANCE YOU GET THE 600 THE ONES THAT REACH 0$ THEY WERE TO WAIT AFTER OR HOW DOES IT WORK?

        Reply
        • I got my 600 at 3:00 this morning and my claim money but they still owe us 300 more dollars..where is that money?????? Or is it gonna hit later on today?? But u would think it would’ve came with the 600…smdh…

        • OK SO IT COMES WITH THE CLAIM MONIES THEN SO THEN THATS WHY I HAVEN’T RECEIVED MINE I CHECK TOMORROW BUT IT WAS TOLD ON THE SITE THAT ONLY THE 600$ FOR TODAY 1/19/2021 EVEN THO IT WERE SUPPOSED TO BE 900$ BUT THE OTHER 300$ WILL COME THE NEXT TIME WE CLAIM WHICH IT BE LIKE THEY A WEEK BEHIND IF YOU ADD IT UP BECAUSE WE WERE SUPPOSED TO GET 900$ FOR WEEKS OF THE 2ND..9TH…AND 16TH BUT WE ONLY GOT FOR THE WEEKS OF 2ND..AND 9TH ONLY THE 16TH AND THE WEEK COMING WILL BE ANOTHER 600$ BUT THAT BE THE NEXT TIME WE CLAIM OUR REGULAR CLAIMS

        • YES IT IS BACKWARDS SMH I THOUGHT I WOULD BEEN LIKE HOW WE GOT THE 600 PAYMENTS LIKE A DAY BEFORE SO NOW ITS WHEN YOU CLAIM SO WHOEVER CLAIM ON SUNDAYS SEE THERE MONEY ON TUESDAYS WITH THE 300$ AND WHO CLAIM ON MONDAYS SEE THERE MONEY WITH THE 300$ ON WEDNESDAY THEN THE SAME FOR TUESDAYS CLAIMS SEE IT ON THURSDAYS LIKE THAT BUT WE STILL A WEEK BEHIND I SEE SO NEXT TIME WE CLAIM WE SUPPOSED TO GET ANOTHER 600$ SINCE WE A WEEK BEHIND BUT KNOWING NJ I BET IT ONLY BE JUST THE 300$ SMH

        • I don’t think we are a week behind if I’m right we are 2 weeks cause it was supposed to go back to the 27th of December if I’m wrong then ok it will be 600

        • We are a week behind check ya calendar the 27th of December is that week of the 2nd they going by the ending weeks the next week be the 9th and the following be the 16th we are a week behind we were to get 900$ not 600$

  7. The error message I got yesterday while trying to certify was “No benefits are available to you at this time. Your next compensable week ending is 01/16

    Reply
    • Has anybody got the three humdred i didnt i thought come today it’s with my benefit it said Tuesday nothing just regular benefit why is that tho has any one else got

      Reply
      • Northjerseydotcom reported a few hours ago that NJDOL stated there is a delay:

        “The unforeseen complication arose running the new Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program while simultaneously running the prior program, which has different payout amounts.”

        Of course NY & Arizona already distributing their money and not having any problems. Something stinks here. Maybe the truth. :) Good ole NJ still got her head up her ass. I can only imagine what we are paying their technology people with our tax money. Why is it that NY & Arizona can figure it out and NJ cannot.

        Reply
      • WHERE IS THE 300$ IT SUPPOSED TO BEEN THE 12TH BUT THAT PASSED ALREADY DAMN THE SYSTEM STILL NOT READY THIS IS BEYOND CRAZY

        Reply
        • I’ve been trynna contact unemployment and speak to a agent for 3 months how do u ppl get through to them please help me

    • I just got this same message yesterday when I tried to certify, but I wasn’t able to get it certified, and says when I check my claim status, the last week paid was 01/02. So idk if it went through or what’s going on, did you find out anything about the issue?

      Reply
      • Same thing happened to me & a friend of mines.. I hope maybe there’s a glitch since it’s happened to a few people on the same last payout dates ..Write back if you hear anything. I will do the same.

        Reply
      • Gianna, I believe I’m in the same boat. The web site says my claim has a 0$ balance, but I never got the 20weeks of UI that the state says is Available to me. They say my claim went to 0$ on 12/26/20. I then received a notice in the mail saying that I was eligible for EB AS OF 12/27/20. However, I can’t certify (get error message) and can’t get through on the phone, Email, ect. I contacted my Senator, who is Senator Singer, but again no response. I then contacted my Congressman, Chris Smith, and his office got back to me in hours. I filled out a form his office sent me through email with my actions taken and now I’m again in a holding pattern. That was Friday morning, and I know tomorrow is a Holiday, so hopefully by Tuesday or Wednesday I’ll hear something. Our Scumbag Governor who was the first one to tout about how he got the very best coders and programers to update our State UI system in the spring, is nowhere to be found or respond to this issue. I’m in my 3rd week now without benefits, and I know that it’s going to be much longer, but unfortunately, after my first week and a half without any $, I literally have no idea what to do about Food, Dr appointments, Gas, car insurance, cell phone bill, literally nothing, NADA!!!
        Every day that goes by now, I’m getting more scared, and now my Anger is coming into play. I call the state to see if there’s anything they can do, and they say no, unfortunately not because technically I’m getting UI. No Health insurance now, no stimulus check, 1200 or 600. 1200 went to Child support I owed, (I have no problem with that). No 600$ because I didn’t file 2019 taxes. I’m Literally at my wit’s end here. I don’t want to hear, everything owed to me will be paid, not to worry. I guess that’s ok, because it’s not them. I’m getting very, very, upset, hour by hour and day by day.

        Reply
    • Do u think we’ll b able to claim and get our money after …mines saying the same …its weird to me because throughout this whole ordeal I recieved everything owed to me n I pray we all get to that point ..but since I exhausted my claim in November I havent been able to certify..but this last week I was able to claim from now dating back to November…but it’s still a error coming up…what does that mean ???

      Reply
  8. On Jan 6th, NJ Labor Commissioner was recently quoted via North jersey dot com saying the following:
    “We were among the first states to distribute the earlier federal supplemental payments to workers after the passage of the CARES Act in April, and are equally proud to get this new federal relief out the door quickly,” said Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo. “Staff hires and automation upgrades completed since the spring have helped make it possible for us to get this benefit to struggling New Jerseyans with no gap or delay.”

    In an article dated on May 14, 2020 by a different newspaper called NJ dot com reported the following:
    “Georgetown Center on Poverty & Inequality alleges New Jersey lags the national average and other comparable big states in processing unemployment claims. And the assurances of progress are cold comfort to those residents who claim the first-term, progressive governor has been evasive in his answers and oblivious to the real-life pain in a state with one of the highest per-capita costs of living in the country”.

    Soooooooo………somebody is fibbing here.

    Reply
      • Yea…to put it bluntly, NJDOL is rudderless ship adrift at sea going around in circles. Trying to pull the wool over our eyes make us fall for that “okie doke” or “flim flam”. I could easily be more critical here, but, I will leave it at that. Trying to temper my frustration and annoyance. Making all these promises of contacting you, escalations, wait 2-4 weeks, receive an email blah blah blah……I thought they implemented improvements….yea…ok. Complete and utter sh*t show. The fact that they are not providing federal money that we are legally entitled to will get them in trouble in the long term with New Jersey residents who can actually prove they are entitled to it.

        Reply
        • Yup.. saw that and definitely getting mixed messages. 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 into the extended PUA or PEUC. The issue is that the PUA and PEUC programs has some new changes and criteria under the new law (documentation, you need to use PEUC before PUA), so this has meant claimants who exhausted their benefits before Dec 27th, cannot filed for the weeks which extended coverage because NJ DOL is facing delays updating their systems for those programs. And as a result don’t get the $300 either.

          Hence the half lie from them. The $300 can be processed, but without PUA and PEUC extensions in place it cannot be paid because you need to have $1 of other UI to get the $300!

        • “Half Lies” to me is like being a “Little Bit Pregnant”. We will see where NJ lands regarding how long it will take them to figure it out in comparison to NYS or Arizona. They all have antiquated systems. NJ has given up and surrendered. If you visit NYSDOL Twitter, you can see they have not given up. They keep their residents well informed and bend over backwards to try and help their residents to a point where they respond to NY’ers in distress directly on Twitter. NJ makes smart ass comments on Twitter to their residents complaining that New Jersey residents do not pick up the phone when they call. Management is missing and the Inmates are running the asylum.

    • With all of the unemployed people right now, they could easily hire a couple thousand to get it back on track wouldn’t it seem? FYI anyone wants to try the continual calling to the number as recommended earlier in this chain don’t bother. I am currently logging 50 calls every 10 minutes or 300 roughly per hour, been trying since 8 a.m. and just stopped. About 1200 attempts. That does not work. I should feel stupid for having wasted the past 4 hours or stupid for having paid in to a system for the past 25 years knowing that one day that money would be there or should be there to support my family when the time came…like now.

      Reply
      • Chris,

        You are correct. They should have hired a plethora of claims adjusters. Divide the claims based on complexity. Every claim is different. Veteran adjusters should handle complex claims where temp adjusters handle easy claims. We are into the 11th month of this and nothing has really changed. Poor communication – where are they with backlog of PUA income validation and retroactive backpay for 1st Cares Act. Are they working through this backlog of backdated claims. Does not look like it. Same ole nonsense response. Escalate to somebody/receive email and either never hear from them or they make promises to communicate with you in 2-4 weeks and they never do. No follow through. The question will always remain – “Are they providing “ALL” the money we are entitled to by Federal Law, not just a “Portion” of money with these Federal Programs. If you are even remotely interested, Google Nevada Judge ordered their DOL to pay UI money. It is a mess. I feel for them too.

        Reply
    • My benefits expired as of 1/5, so I guess I can’t certify until NJ say so. Has anyone who exhausted benefits got a notice from state when u can certify?

      Reply
        • yes you should be able to certify and it’s supposed to automatically extend you

        • Same here. I got the regular, but, no $300. I thought it was supposed to hit our accounts today. This is from a popup window from the NJDOL website:

          “NJDOL has reprogrammed its systems to administer the new $300 FPUC benefit, and will begin distribution as soon as user testing is successfully completed”.

          Let me guess, more of their stupid ass “User Acceptance Testing” which is complete bs for a system that is already in place. NJ residents who are currently receiving PUA where you are simply changing the amount from FPUC $600 to $300. You could have run fake dummy transactions through to test and not wait for the funds from the Fed to perform testing so there is no delay. Same nonsense with LWA-FEMA and that took close to 2 months.

  9. I have tried everything that has been listed in this very long list of questions and answers. This is very frustrating, my weekly error message is that the benefit date has expired on my claim, however it shows active, I have my account and pin which work. I managed to get on a call with voice prompts which got me all the way to the end then said, to finish your weekly certification you must speak with an agent. Then it puts me through to the message about no space in the cue and to call back tomorrow. This has been going on now for 3 months.

    Reply
  10. I am currently under the NJ 20 week extended unemployment benefit. This will run until March 27. How do I get the Pandemic extended unemployment compensation (PEUC) for 11 weeks. Will NJ switch my program so I can get that. I don’t understand what the March 13 deadline is?

    Reply
    • As long as your receiving any kind of Unemployment benefits you will receive the $300 automatically. However, no one has actually received it yet in NJ.

      Reply
  11. Good Morning,
    My girlfriend was let go due to Covid related reasons. She was discharged on November 12th. She filed for unemployment and was given a message online with an amount and a weekly amount. She keep caliming every week however; it always says “not payable at this time”. We try to call the numbers provided to try and get some information however we keep getting told (by their automated system) that there are too many people waiting in the queue and that we need to call back on the next business day. They open at 8:30 a.m. I called at 8:30 a.m. and they already had a big queue. I called at 7:00 and I get the same message. Has anyone been able to successfully speak to someone at the UI offices in past month or so? if so, please tell me how. She needs this money to start coming through. I’m begging for help.

    Reply
    • They are still having issues with updating their systems from what I am hearing. Sorry for that, but they will make retroactive payments when done. I know this does not help your immediate need for money – but hang in there, lots in the same boat as you.

      Reply
    • I have just kept calling back over and over even when it says to call back tomorrow and gotten through.

      Also, Sat am and later on in the day sometimes is better.

      Reply
    • don’t listen to the thing about the Q you just got to keep calling redial and redial and redial over and over again if you’re absolutely not able to get through she can call her local Senator’s office and they do have an unemployment liaison that does help people get their claims pushed through or any little problems they can resolve it for you takes a couple weeks also she should try to call on Saturday there seems to be less phone traffic on those days good luck to you and your girlfriend

      Reply
      • I sent an email to my Congress woman since the senators website said to contact them for Federal issues.Should I also call the senators office?

        Reply
        • hello Anne, the Congress office does help with federally funded programs and such in the way that they are the ones to contact when you feel that the state is not handling federally mandated programs correctly and I have heard that they sometimes help with unemployment issues. But your local Senator’s office may be able to help you more quickly and they have Liaisons at unemployment in New Jersey Department of Labor so I would seek assistance from both and see who can resolve your issue more quickly. Good luck

        • and have you Gotten anywhere with getting in touch with unemployment or with the congressman’s office? I would definitely also contact the Senators offices well somebody’s got to help you sooner or later and having more hands helping you is going to increase your odds of having this resolved sooner than later. I received a phone call about my back pay from March and April over four weeks ago and she told me I would be receiving an email within 2 to 4 weeks with instructions to with instructions to certify for those missing weeks and I have received absolutely nothing. I’ve been checking my Spam folders like they told me to do but no luck and then yesterday I received another phone call from unemployment and she told me that she was calling me to backdate my claim so I could get those eight weeks they owe me and I explained to her that I received the same phone call one month ago and she said oh well I’ll still put this in any way you must have been on the list more than once for us to call you back. So I guess I’m finally getting the phone calls back from Department of Labor as a result from the multiple escalation forms I put in. Every 4 weeks I put in an escalation form so they told me when I put in these forms that I would be receiving a call or an email within two to four weeks which know it took four months so now I’m wondering is it going to take four more months for me to get this email? They are moving at turtle speed and it is so disheartening and completely asinine. I mean people are getting put out on the streets left and right all because they have to jump through these hoops and hurdles unemployment is putting in place this is money that is owed to us why not just pay it. I did call my congress’s office as well and explain to them my issues and they told me they were not able to help with backdating all they could help with was certification issues. So I would definitely contact the local Senator’s office for your area in addition and keep calling unemployment it’s a pain in the ass but they’re making us a really work 4 federal funds that are specifically intended to help us. good luck I just figured I’d let you know the actual time frames unemployment is resolving issues I’ve been waiting since May for them to resolve my issue

        • Hey Angelina,

          I think from your post, the whole uploading of your 2019 returns and promises of contacting you in 2-4 weeks has not happened. Typical from the NJDOL. Lie, lie and more lying. I really feel for Anne and others. Now that Dems are on the verge of taking Senate, hopefully more money on the way especially $2K. People should be sure to file your 2019 & 2020 income tax as soon as possible due to new congress may tie future money to whether you filed income tax. Careful with using Turbo Tax and H&R Block with online filing. I was reading this morning where there are delays of receiving stimulus money ($600) if you used their online submission. I’m not sure about the specifics of what the problem was. Will look into it more. Vote Murphy out of office so he can take that Labor Commissioner with him. Colossal failure.

        • How does one find out how to contact the local Congress office or the senator to assist with UI claims.
          I am in Passaic county NJ

        • Hi
          If you are trying to reach the NJ Senators office, please call 732-855-7441.
          I had to reach out to them and then received my $1800. They have a contact at NJ UI that they laise with.
          Hope this helps
          Sabita

      • Regarding Back Pay, I tried to file in April 2019, was consistently thrown out of system. In July claim went thru. Since, I called many times requesting BACK DATE. End of December I got e mail regarding “benefit eligibility ” which was spurred by back date request. It REQUIRED copy of my 2019 tax return. I filed taxes during Covid in April Online with IRS. I cant get a copy, dont have a printer. You could NOT reply to DOL e mail, only link to send tax return!! This seems like a way for DOL to “reject” my back pay keep money I’m entitled to. A Govt agency like DOL can access tax returns so why so I have to provide??. They know it’s almost impossible for claimant to send that through e mail within a 1 week deadline. Ridiculous that I couldn’t even RESPOND to DOL e mail I tried calling, thousands of times, no luck. Governor Murphy states “unemployed souls wont “lose a penny” in benefits due to DOL computer issues. Technically hes right, I’m LOSING THOUSANDS. So because IRS.gov Is fouled up and i cant get my 2019 return, i lose back BENEFITS? It Seems like a way out for Unemployment to keep my back pay ? while I suffer Im beyond frustrated . Many claimants didnt even need to file 2019 taxes so what happen to their back pay?! . Anyone have success with back pay? HELP

        Reply
    • First off don’t give up! I got through twice on Wednesday! First rep was just a subcontractor who couldn’t do a damn thing like a large percentage of them. But the second lady I spoke with her name was Linda and was a angel . I was experiencing what’s known as the benefit year glitch and unable to claim since the week ending 12/26! Linda literally asked me my information, if I worked at all in 2020 and as she was looking up my info her vpn crashed and we were experiencing some connection issues! But she assured me that before we got disconnected that she is was going to get me paid, and she did! For all 3 weeks! Money literally just hit my account at 215 am this morning! Not saying this to brag at all but saying it so that maybe someone will have some hope! I’m currently on EB and took 6 weeks just to receive any payment then this happened so over the last 2 months I’ve literally felt hopeless but I didn’t let that stop me from getting what is owed to me! We are all owed this!!! So don’t stop! The 1st issue was only resolved after contacting congressman Chris Smith’s office. But this week I was able to get through to linda at 930 am and by trying to certify over the phone. If u have a issue certify it will direct to a specialist and that’s what Linda was so that’s my best advice as of now, cause that’s what most recently worked for me… And again everyone’s claim is different and if u are on pua and peuc and already exhausted all funds then there is nothing they can do till they have the program in place… But if u have eb or regular uc and can’t claim I recommend calling until u get a agent or specialist!! A call center rep can’t do DICK!! I hope this helps someone and I hope your lady gets what u guys need! God bless and keep talk head up!

      Reply
  12. I don’t know if anyone can put some clarification on what I’m gonna ask but here it goes: Being they had the $600 federal parents in the begining when this started NJ should already have the programming we need to set up the $300 payments..I would think all they would have to do is change the amounts using the same program they implemented with the $600..am I wrong or are we gonna have to wait a month or two for NJ to implement a whole new program for the $300 federal payments?? This is all so overwhelming and I’m so sorry to everyone who still haven’t been paid what they are owed since this started.

    Reply
    • I apparently clicked an incorrect button along the way and have been locked out of receiving benefits. I spoke to someone just now after someone gave me the wrong information a week ago and told me I can fix it myself. The person today escalated it. But, she told me it could take up to four weeks to have someone fix this, they may have to reach out to me and discuss. So this means I am now going to be pushing six weeks at that point of no unemployment income. Can anybody tell me if they spoke to someone and have them submit an escalation did it take that long to have their issue resolved?
      NJ is a Nightmare!

      Reply
      • i had to have escalation and after 3months of being told that i found out every time i called ther is no history avail to who ever gets your call that time.so 5different times they thought escalation was good idea completely unaware ITS BEEN DONE & IS NOT WORKING. so they added “6th attempt & no $$ for past 3months & my phone would be off in a week” to my notes with escalation that time~~ and i got call within 5 days.
        (was a miracle in itself i got thru 5 times.) dont give up

        Reply
        • good afternoon and. Yeah I put in my first escalation form in June and I put in three more and I didn’t get a call back until we could December and she told me I would be receiving an email within 2 to 4 weeks with instructions to file or actually with instructions to certify for the eight weeks that they owe me from March and April and it’s now been almost 4 weeks and I still have not received the email they are very slow and if I were you I would call back and demand 2 speak to somebody else and see what a different representative tells you because it doesn’t seem right that you need to put an escalation form for your type of situation I don’t know but I know that the process they have for that’s collation forms is extremely slow it takes months to get a response I would just keep calling back and talking to different people some Representatives might handle it a different way than another one might good luck to you another thing that you can do is call your local Senator’s office and explain to them your issue and a lot of times they get results because they have a liaison that works with unemployment that will help people out with issues involving their claim and they weren’t able to help me out with my problem because well it’s a long story but they’ve helped a lot of people that I know personally with their problems and they just may be able to help you so call your local Senator’s office. My local Senator office is of Steve Sweeney but I live in Gloucester County I don’t know where you live

        • how do i get an extension i been on since june i just finished my 24 weeks i dont see abywhere i can fill out information to get an extension and i dont have job i need to support my family can anybody please tell me how to help because now i am scared this pandemic has been the worst i wish i can just go back to my job but due to covid cant be thefre

        • If your 26 weeks are up, when you claim for the next week it will automatically add the federal weeks to your UI account. When that expires just claim again and you should get the NJ 20 week extension. Good luck and God bless.

      • Have you been checking your email? I did the same thing and received and email from E adjudication, I answered their questions and my claim was fixed in less than 5 days.

        Reply
    • I wish I knew… I was looking through all the Department of Labor’s Publications yesterday trying to get clarification on this same exact subject and I didn’t see anything except that they were saying there will be no lapse and unemployment thanks to Congress passing you at new bill. now they do say Grindr website that they are waiting for further information from the feds on instructions or details.

      Reply
      • I certified for my unemoyment on Tuesday and my regular unemployment is in the pending part in the bank but there is nothing for the extra 300 so is it seperate from the regular because I certified with the pandemic questions and so I’m just wondering if the extra 300 is just going to go into my account on Thursday with my regular payment

        Reply
        • just like the fpuc money you’ll see it a few days after you get your unemployment. They are saying that they’re going to be starting to send out the $300 payments early next week I think

    • Angie, I was just a little research on the subject of that enhanced $300 payment and I came across this statement:

      ‘The New Jersey Department of Labor has reprogrammed its systems to administer the $300 benefit and will soon begin distribution, once user testing is successfully completed, according to spokeswoman Angela Delli-Santi.’

      So it sounds to me as though they are implementing the system they put in place for the $600 payments or the $300 lwa payments that we received last year. Which makes a lot of sense to me and is really good news I would expect the money in a week or two. I mean I’m being hopeful here LOL

      Reply
      • I was entitled to lwa $1800 but I still have not got it. I got email From e-adjudication looking for more information as I was receiving $231 weekly from pua and my account was shut down for 2 weeks, the results were I got increased to $366 so for 29 weeks I was shorted $135. So I got excited with this news also they said they would be calling me to confirm, I never got call back or lwa $1800 and I never got back pay, now my weekly certification said not paying at this time. I had to sell my car before Xmas as I’m so behind I don’t know what to do or who to call, I’ve estimated I’m owed over $6,000 I really cannot survive much more of this

        Reply
  13. Hi. I was waiting since July for my benefits to be direct deposit to my personal bank account. While waiting my bank account was closed 10/27. On 10/27 my unemployment was finally sent but the account was closed. I filled out the forms to switch to Bank of America. I received my debit card on 11/7. Let unemployment know. I was told it would take 4 to 6 weeks for the funds to be in the Bank of America. It is now past 6 weeks and I’m so nervous ( so many bills past due) Has this happened to anyone? I’m scared the money is lost in the computer system. Happy New Year All.

    Reply
  14. Does anyone know how long much longer it takes to see money in your bank account if you certify on Friday (I usually certify on Wednesday’s)? I still haven’t received anything today.

    Reply
    • my boyfriend certifies on Wednesdays but last weak he missed his time so he certified on Friday and he had his money Monday morning when he woke up. I also certify on Wednesdays and I missed my time once and had to certify on Friday but I remember having my money the following Monday so you should definitely look into that. good luck to you

      Reply
      • If I am receiving unemployment, will that change the fact that I will not be eligible for the $600 stimulus due to my 2019 income being too high? Even though I’m unemploymented due to COVID?

        This is so frustrating, because like many people, I haven’t even received the back due I employment from March.

        Reply
        • Good morning Anne, I have been doing taxes for over 12 years now and I get this question asked a lot. They are going to use your 2019 income as a deciding factor as to how much if anything you will be entitled to. I did do some research to try to figure out what the income limits were but once you make over 75,000 they begin to phase out some of the money that you would be ode and from my understanding once you hit $87,000 you are completely ineligible. So if you earn between 75 and $86,000 you will get less than 600 but you will get something and once you hit $87,000 you are completely disqualified for any stimulus payment. Unfortunately just because you qualify for unemployment benefits that will not change your qualification status for the stimulus payment. And I am in the same boat as you because I still have not received my retroactive pay they told me in 2 to 3 weeks I should be receiving an email with instructions on how to file and today makes three weeks and I have not received any email yet it is incredibly frustrating so I understand How you feel. Now because Congress took so long to come to a new bill for covid-19 relief , we in New Jersey receiving unemployment through p u a or anybody whose claim has been extended will have to wait probably four to six more weeks at least to even see the new unemployment benefit money because now they’re going to have to come up with a new software to implement paying these funds out. it’s like one struggle after the other and I don’t see any end in sight unfortunately this situation has really made me very cynical and it’s very hard to be positive dealing with these bureaucracies. Good luck to you and I hope this helps you figure out what you will be entitled to as far as the stimulus payment goes and happy holidays

        • Angelina,
          Thank you so much for all of your help and thoughtful responses on here throughout this whole mess. At least we gain some clarity because of your expertise.

        • it’s no problem! We got to stick together and help each other out. I try to answer any questions that I may have knowledge about that I see on here because people have answered my questions as well in this comment feed so I’m more than happy to help. Now the information I gave you may be incorrect because there is a small possibility that the Senate is going to pass a $2,000 check and I don’t know what stipulations that check would have although I’m doubtful that’s going to happen I mean I just can’t see them allowing bigger checks at this point although it would be nice and like I said I don’t know what stipulations would be attached do those checks if they would differ from the $600 check so who knows at this point. I do know though that it’s extremely frustrating all this back and forth especially considering our unemployment expired on the 26th of this month and it’s going to take weeks for New Jersey to even put a system in place to distribute that money to us although I don’t understand why they couldn’t use one of the systems they already have in place but I guess we’ll just have to wait and see what excuses New Jersey has in-store for us this time

        • I spoke with unemployment this weekend and it seems the reason my check didn’t show up in my acct is be said I had clicked the 7A box for self employed. I was supposed clicked 7B.
          The rep told me how to go in an “update” it. I followed her instructions but I can’t can’t find anywhere to update anything other than my add press, phone extra.

          Does anyone know how to figure out how to update this information. I’m now two weeks late on getting this payment due to this because it apparently blocks my from getting paid.

        • the only options I am aware of that you can “update” is your direct deposit information or telephone and/or address. is she suggesting that you update your claim status information? As far as the source of income is concerned? I will try to look into how to do that when I return from the dentist office

        • She’s saying that I should be able to update the claim, I guess. But I don’t see anything like that.

          Thank you for looking into this.

          Hope your dentist appt wasn’t too bad!

  15. Benefit Year Glitch – I was approved for 20 week extension, received EB 4 form. Began claiming and 3 weeks in, I can no longer certify. Called DOL, and was told (as suspected) that my claim was on hold and I’d have to wait 4 to 6 weeks for escalation. It’s a simple fix, changing a date in the system. That should have been done when I received my EB determination. This issue has been known since the summer time, as I’ve read articles about it. Once you are collecting, it should be seamless! Numerous extensions were given during the 2009- 10 recession and there was never a lag period. If the DOL fixed the Benefit Year Glitch, there would be less people congesting the phone lines and then maybe those with complicated claims could be assisted.

    Reply
    • I have the same problem that’s started last week..been trying to call reemployment center, no luck so far..always busy..is any other way to fix the benefit year glitch?

      Reply
  16. I have been waiting since September. I have exhausted just about all of my retirement money. This is a nightmare. And to think I might have to move back to my parents apartment is heart breaking. New Jersey has handled this totally irresponsibly. New Jersey has failed us big time. Our livelihood is at risk. I phone calls no nothing incredible.

    Reply
  17. Ive been jobless since this coronavirus started and I have been calling and calling trying to get in touch with a live person at unemployment NJ. Noone ever answers and I keep getting blue approval slips stating I can “Claim Benifits.” I log on to claim and says “Not payable at this time” or “Please call of unemployment representative.” i call and I get nothing. My savings are gone, im barely getting by and my family is struggling. I owe on rent that I can afford to pay back, I need the pua I was promised.

    Reply
    • I wish I could help more. I’m not familiar with the inner workings of the NJUI (NJDOL) office and whatever these blue slips you are receiving. Keep calling. You will get automated messages that they are busy and to call later. Don’t pay any attention to that. Hang up and dial again. Just keep dialing. You may end up dialing 25 -100 times before you get through. Some have mentioned calling early in the morning at 8am or call on weekends early morning to get through. When you finally get through, a telephone rep will most likely take down all your information and escalate to a Manager or Claims Adjuster. From that point, it is like throwing darts at a board IF they will contact you. Just recently, a few have mentioned including myself that they received emails to verify income after they have either called or had their Representative contact the NJDOL directly. Remember, you are dealing with an organization that is screwed up beyond anything you can imagine with their heads squarely up their ass. Definitely FUBAR. You have to keep pressuring them with phone calls and follow-up. Don’t assume they will commit to any promises they make. We’ve all heard of promises to contact you in 2 or 4 weeks only to hear nothing from them. If you don’t hear from them in 2 weeks, call again. I know sometimes it is like banging your head against the wall. Kind of sad when you have Americans begging for their own tax money.

      I would also suggest you contact your House of Representative Congressman (Federal not State) for your district and ask them for help.

      Good Luck

      Contact Numbers from NJDOL Website:
      Camden 856-614-3801
      East Orange 973-680-3518
      Elizabeth 908-820-3969
      Hackensack 201-996-8021
      Jersey City 201-217-4602
      Neptune 732-775-5131
      New Brunswick 732-937-4525
      Newark 973-648-7601
      Newton 973-383-4432
      Passaic 973-458-6724
      Paterson 973-977-4307
      Perth Amboy 732-937-4525
      Phillipsburg 908-859-5467
      Plainfield 908-412-7779
      Pleasantville 609-441-7581
      Randolph 973-328-6490
      Somerville 908-704-3366
      Thorofare 856-853-4177
      Toms River 732-286-6460
      Trenton 609-292-6800
      Vineland 856-696-6591

      Reply
  18. So I won my appeal for these extended benefits. I wanna know if I will receive retro pay in this direct deposit. When I was denied I tried to certify but once I put ssn # in. It said benefits are exhausted. Didn’t even try to let me claim. I think I’m entitled to the retro even though It wouldn’t let me certify. What are your opinions???

    Reply
  19. 23 days and counting and still have not been able to talk to an actual person about missing unemployment benefits. This is getting absolutely ridiculous. Is anyone else having issues talking to someone about receiving missing payments?

    Reply
    • New certification process for LWA. Go to NJUI website , check status! Then check COVID certification, then OK. Expires tomorrow night!!!

      Reply
      • I got the email last time. This time I never did but went into old email to certify. Assuming I won’t get the money since it said if you did not receive email or text you’re not eligible. So frustrating. Was out of work entire time and claimed unemployment from July to September. I should be eligible. How could you be eligible once but not the next time if you never got the money?

        Reply
        • Hi just wanted to post an update. I was informed today from the NJ Senate office that I was included in this round of payment and should see it in 2 to 3 business days. So I am trying to say that all of us that certified this time around, good luck to all. Just glad to hear back some good news from somebody. Waiting anxiously for the payment.

        • Hi
          I finally received my LWA $1800 into my chase account on Monday 11/16.
          I really hope you all get it this time.
          Good luck everyone.
          Very thankful.
          Sabita

      • I did certify this on monday Dec, 28th. I mean I did check this OK box that I lost my job due to covid. Is this too late?

        Reply
    • Yes i have been calling sending emails about my PUA retoactive 600 from April to June because i only received for july. So i wanted to find out if i have to file a new claim or what. But getting only a response from noreply email saying i dont have to do anything. But still i have not seen anything coming to my account.

      Reply
      • Hi Michelle
        I saw your post. I am in also awaiting same retro months as you. I don’t think I will ever see the a lump sum.
        I as well called and sent numerous emails and not one response.
        I hope you receive your retro soon.
        If I find or get any info I be happy to let you know
        Good luck and wish you the best.
        Jacque

        Reply
    • I have been waiting since August for my claim to be backdated and to receive the payments . I spoke to someone from NJDOL 2 weeks ago they told me 3 weeks I will get an email on how to backdate my claim . Is that accurate?

      Reply
  20. Ok Everyone,

    As I mentioned, this fight is not over with the Retroactive Back Pay for PUA/FPUC from the first Cares Act months ago.

    Here is the latest on the NJ Assembly Bill A4534 which titled “Provides that effective date of unemployment claim is date on which individual becomes unemployed”.

    1. Back in August 3, 2020, Bill A4534 was introduced and referred to the Assembly Labor Committee. It appears they voted on this bill on 10-22-2020 and it passed with amendments. (Y: 9 N: 0 NV: 0 Abs: 0). Why it sat for 2 months before they voted boggles my mind. No sense of urgency to help NJ residents who are suffering immeasurably.

    2. The passed bill was reported out of Asm. Labor Comm. with Amendments, and Referred to “Assembly Appropriations Committee.”

    I’m not a political policy wonk and have no idea what the Assembly Appropriations Committee will now do with this bill. I assume they will also vote and ultimately end up on Murphy’s desk to sign into law??? I really don’t know. Maybe they will wait another 2 months while NJ residents burn at the stake.

    Since this bill is moving in the right direction, will the NJDOL be ready to process all these retroactive backdated claims now that it will become mandatory to backdate the claim to when you were unemployed and not the current “Claim File Date” or will it be the half ass amateur hour again.

    I would implore that everyone in this forum whether you are actively posting or just perusing to reach out to the following NJ State Politicians via Twitter (if they have an account) and request they move this bill forward quickly:

    Assembly Speaker: Craig J. Coughlin (District 19)
    Majority Leader: Louis D. Greenwald (District 6)
    Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore (District 37)

    You can look all this up on Legiscan. Search the State and Bill Number.

    Reply
    • It looks like this bill will apply to all claims filled on or after February 1, 2021. Doesn’t help us now! Still in limbo. Bills still waiting to be paid. Sad and frustrating.

      Reply
      • It actually states this:

        2. This act shall take effect 1[immediately and shall be retroactive to all claims filed on or after March 1, 2020] on February 1, 2021 and shall apply to all claims filed on or after that date1.

        It seems they added this 2021 sentence as an amendment.

        NJ is a piece of sh*t state. Vote Red and ALL DEMOCRATS out of office in next election cycle from your local assemblyman, state senator to the Governor. People still can’t get a hold of anyone, no communication. What about the follow up to determine eligibility after receiving the initial $231. What’s going on with that? They screwed up the LWA process with a delay of close to 2 months. You can bet they will not improve or change anything to make processes better. They lack the critical thinking, intellect and overall desire to make things better. I guess this should not be a surprise to anyone. States are not known for their competitive pay to attract the best and brightest. The screwup of LWA speaks volumes of their capabilities; yet they still continue to collect their paychecks compliments of NJ Residents. Disgusted!!!

        Reply
        • They need to make this right! Payments need to be equal for all eligible unemployed NJ residents. Some people have received retroactive pay from date of unemployment while others have not. Yet bills come in equally for all of us. I paid into system for 43 years yet when I need MY MONEY… I can’t get it AND am unable to reach anyone to speak to! You start calling in early am and a recording tells you to call back tomorrow….. what are they doing for the remainder of their 8 hour shift? They all got their FULL PAY while out of work due to covid (not partial pay we get thru unemployment), some not doing anything…. same for many of state employees. Its a sad and unfair system.

        • Yea….interesting. I haven’t heard of anyone getting retroactive back pay to their date of unemployment. That also is contrary to their current policy of retroactive back pay to your “File Claim Date”. So, the question begs…which is it? Do we get the backdated claim to date of unemployment or not? NJDOL current policy is the only state that I’m aware of that does not backdate to the date you are unemployed. I know you mentioned you heard of people getting this retroactive back pay. If that were the case, why would they introduce Bill A4534 back in August 3, 2020 (Provides that effective date of unemployment claim is date on which individual becomes unemployed”). to the Assembly Labor Committee? Why did the Assembly Labor Committee wait 2 months to vote on this bill when so many are suffering and need that backdated pay? If I am interpreting the language correctly, why did the Assembly Labor Committee place amendment language in the bill that we have to wait until next year 2021 for it to be affective? Why not make it affective immediately? If I’m interpreting this incorrectly, someone tell me what it means.

          The stench about all this is overwhelming. It has been 8 months now.

        • but it’s federally funded money that is rightfully ours. Our federal government mandated that we, citizens that fall Within Pua guidelines, receive that money. they are also paying many, if not most, Pua recipients way below the weekly benefit rate they are entitled to because they are not following up with any process to verify and adjust our benefit amounts based on our financial records. And why aren’t more people raising a fuss about this? In my opinion it’s because many that have applied for this Pua benefit don’t have any gig, self-employment or freelance work and therefore are satisfied with the measly $231 provided per week. All I hear people is talk about getting backdated to when the pandemic began because it would equal to thousands of dollars but no one is really making a mention of the fact that they should be entitled to a significantly higher benefit amount based on their adjusted gross income. Could that be because most that applied and are receiving this Pua money have never really worked let alone even filed a tax return to prove any income and are technically really not entitled to this money? I don’t know because I’m confused, is just anyone entitled to it because I have a cousin who has been a heroin addict for the past 12 years and has never work a job but is getting Pua benefits and all of her drug addict friends are as well, she’s never filed a tax return or paid any is self-employment tax let alone provide for herself or her child. Is that who this Pua money is for as well? I mean maybe if they follow up with every application within a couple weeks of initisl filing with income verification then we could avoid paying fradulent claims!!! I want to know why they are so backed up if they havent been verifying pua claims? they’re allowing their systems to except every single p u a claim begin paying them within two to three weeks of their filing so what have they been doing all this time that has passed since this pandemic has began because nothing is getting done except a whole lot of criminal behavior is being rewarded with $231 a week!!!!!

        • That’s a good question. I don’t know why people are not complaining more. I think it is a combination of a lot of stuff. As you mentioned fraud, NJ residents lack of understanding about what they are entitled to, NJDOL being vague, ambiguous and silent; not communicating process, policy & procedures keeping people in the dark; some are just trying to survive day to day and can’t focus on how they are being wronged with the state hoping you just go away and give up. Have you seen their website? It is a joke compared to PA and NYS. Why can’t they have people upload/scan their 1099 misc, w2 or tax returns to verify wages and cross reference with State wage records. States generally require employers to file quarterly reports listing all employees and their wages during the reporting period. The DOL dumb as a box of rocks if they think they are going to call hundreds of thousands of people to validate their wages. Just like they think hiring a bunch of temporary telephone reps will solve their problems. Bureaucratic old “skool” mentality. Just dumb. Send a damn email requesting the information. Have claimants scan upload directly to website. I wish we could borrow Roberta Reardon Commissioner of NYS or Gerry Oleksiak, Commissioner of PA DOL to come manage NJ. While I’m sure things are not perfect with their states, they are lite years ahead of NJ. People have to complain. Contact Nancy Pelosi & Chuck Schumer on their Twitter account. Contact CNN journalist on their Twitter Account and request their help to look into this.

        • New York and Pennsylvania are making us look archaic and basic. Their residents receiving PUA have been backdated & their benefit amounts calculated & have been receiving their funds…..meanwhile our employees at dept of labor have been enjoying a leisurely kick up your feet & work from home furlough bc I honestly dont know what they have been doing since we now know they are still not verifying PUA claims & performing the due diligence needed for them to adjust our claims…what in the actual f*** have they been doing in these last 8 damn months????? Back logged they claim but nothing has been done from what I can see & no ones pua claims have had any attention aside from being automatically approved at the lowest possible benefit rate starting on the date the person fn filed!!!! What work are they doing?

        • In regards to Angelina’s comment. I’m self-employed and have been chasing a correction to my WBR since May, as well. They finally requested my Tax records in October and AGAIN yesterday.
          I’m entitled to the maximum and like you stated, not the measly $231 that doesn’t dent any of my business expenses or cost of my home.

          What I’m concerned with is that the State requested me to fill out two lines from my tax return.
          Line 11b for taxable income
          Line 31 for net earnings of my business

          My taxable income on my return is lower due to pre-paying taxes through the year(where if I paid later, my taxable income would’ve been 20% higher on my return), deductions, loss from another investment, etc.
          I’m ASSUMING that state is smart enough to understand that and base my claim off my net earnings. But currently they’ve shown to be inefficient and inadequate. I feel like I’m going to be chasing this until next Summer.

        • I really don’t know what to think. You appear to be the only one that has received this communication from NJDOL requesting a tax return/income verification for self employed/gig/independent contractor individuals. There are multiple classifications for people who consider themselves self employed that actually have their own business vs gig contract workers who receive a w-2, c2c or 1099 misc from their client. The state should already have this information depending on when a self employed/gig/independent contractor either filed their tax return or the company that you had a gig/independent contract reported your earnings to the state. It is clear to me and 800,000+ NJ VOTING Residents that the DOL STILL does not have their act together. No new processes or procedures. WE will not forget what they have done to us in the next election cycle. I’m going to qualify my next comment by stating that I consider myself a Centrist. I could not give a rats ass about either party. As I stated, vote Red across the board. There is no excuse for our Assemblyman, local Senators etc etc who are overwhelmingly Democrat to not do something about this. Vote them all out of office. At the rate things are going, not looking good for Murphy reelection either. As I mentioned before, I don’t care how many fluffy feel good commercials he puts out. Not going to help him with his reelection efforts. I’m not blaming the governor for this Pandemic, however, he is responsible for not stomping the guts out of NJDOL to get their act together. Murphy is ex Goldman Sachs Executive. He knows how to get in peoples ass to perform better. They have failed him and NJ Residents regarding how they have handled this. All states have issues with their antiquated DOL systems. NYS & PA have excelled even with their challenges. What is NJ problem? NJ still at the bottom of dog sh*t pile with the highest taxes in the country. LWA was a disaster and poorly handled vs a majority of other states who issued payments beginning mid Sept. You would think the NJDOL would reach out to the NYSDOL about their NEW PROCESS of using Docusign to facilitate the Retroactive Backdated Payments for PUA/FPUC. Nope!! We will continue with our “call telephone reps, complete escalation form and MAYBE we will call you back or contact you.” Half-assed at best!!

          When Angelina and others in this forum report that they have received communication from NJDOL about retroactive backdated payments and income verification, then I will believe.

        • I still have yet to receive any type of communication from NJDOL….and I am going to assume no one will because the DOL has their heads up their asses!!!!

        • Moderators killed my link of what would provide you answers to how I finally got a response. I won’t post on here any longer since moderators are killing links that can actually HELP ppl.

          Google my user name and you’ll see where my thread is posted that can be useful.

        • Yea…don’t be to quick to leave this forum. Andy has done a good job of identifying and documenting issues for all 50 states about unemployment issues. I’m sure they don’t allow links for a reason. In addition, I do believe this site is routinely monitored by meat-heads at NJDOL. A few have posted some really angry posts at us calling us morons and idiots. The response to them from members in this forum was quite punishing. I read what you wrote on city data and redditt. Damn good effort. I don’t know – it seems they are doing that to you on purpose. As my father, who has multiple PhD’s use to say growing up, “you are dealing with people who are limited”. There are 2 issues to all of this: 1). Receive the maximum amount allowed for PUA via income verification /
          2). Retroactive backdated pay for PUA/FPUC. People have not received the PUA retroactive for $231 let alone the maximum of $731. Don’t even get me started about $600 FPUC. I think they are just hoping you give up. Commissioner thinks he is doing a good job….yea ok. I guess we will find out come election time. Murphy going to lose BIG. If indeed there is a Round II of stimulus, why give NJ get more funds when they are screwing this up.

        • I’m not “leaving” like “forget this site”. I’m just stating, I shared a helpful link that provided a lot of information of my timeline of chasing this down, and don’t really want to re-write the whole thing on here bc the moderators are concerned of losing traffic.

          While I’m sure he has helped, the site deemed it more important to focus on their business than what help others are pursuing.

          Additionally, If he’s here to help….it shouldn’t be limited to only if it helps “his business”, as well.

        • Frustrated In New Jersey: I apologize for not getting back to you sooner. What I wanted to tell you when I said “It’s finally over”, well, my fight with NJDOL is over after a 7 month nightmare. I went to my Congressman who contacted NJDOL but I wasn’t expecting anything to happen quickly or in my favor since that is something NJDOL just doesn’t do. But this time things were done right. (though not the first time. Of course). Around the beginning of November I was paid all my retroactive unemployment due to me from the last day of employment) instead of the date of my claim. I also received all the retroactive $600 a week. And the $1800 came a week later. When I read your response to my frustrations with NJDOL, I was on the verge of giving up as they had brought me to tears. You told me to keep fighting so I’m saying it right back to you. NJDOL HAS to give you ALL the back pay that you are entitled to. I wish you the best and the same to everyone out there still waiting, still frustrated or in tears. It gets me in a rage to know these DOL workers are still getting their full pay and they haven’t seen their work stations in 9 months. A lot of State Workers have returned but not them. No because they might have to actually work.

        • So I won my appeal for extended benefits. Trust me im grateful for that. I didnt even have to go thru the whole process. They sent me a letter stating i am eligible going back to october 11 2020. Now i just want to know if they will give me a lump sum of retro pay for the past 6 weeks. That would help me out tremendously!!!!

        • Hi Trina, you indicated that after you received your retroactive weeks of UI payments, you also received all of your retroactive FPUC $600 payments. Congrats! I’m wondering how long after you certified for your retroactive UI payments you received your $600 retro FPUC payments? I ask b/c after 5 months of working with my state representative, today I was finally able to certify for 3 months of back pay for UI. I’m trying to figure out if/how I will receive the retro $600 FPUC payments and how long I can expect it to take. What was your experience? Thanks in advance!!

      • Very frustrated. Answered all the texts about being unemployed due to covid. Still waiting for my 1800. Almost Xmas !!

        Reply
    • Carolina,

      Based on NJDOL Twitter, they plan to have a second round of LWA Payments. I cut and paste the following from their Twitter Account:

      “We will be in touch with these claimants with instructions as soon as new guidance is available. People identified as potentially eligible will receive an email from [email protected] and/or a text message from 898-211 with instructions.”

      Everything with them is cryptic and never enough detailed information which in my humble opinion, may be intentional. Poor or no communication leads to chaos/frustration ultimately resulting in NJ residents giving up resulting in economic ruin.

      Reply
      • Frustrated In NJ I don’t know if you remember me. I responded to a much earlier comment from you, maybe a month ago. You gave me some good advise. When I scrolled through all the comments, I found mine but your response to me is no longer there. I wanted to tell you that
        I took your advise. It has been an 8 month fight for what was owed to me and NJDOL did nothing but make matters worse but now it’s finally over. How can I reach out to you? I’m not going to be able to here. Seems a lot of info that can help so many is also gone.

        Reply
        • Hi Trina,

          I’m glad I could help in some capacity. You had mentioned it is finally over. What did you mean? The NJDOL backdate everything that is owed to you? If yes, how did it happen? NJDOL has been a complete and utter disaster to date. They have hurt so many tax paying NJ residents who are currently in financial ruin because they could not figure out some kind of effective process to deal with this crisis. They possess this ridiculous mentality that posting all these silly pie/bar charts making “unverified claims” about the billions they are distributing in unemployment. I think it was just last week they claimed they stopped/prevented 1.3 Billion in fraudulent claims. I don’t believe any of that. You are dealing with bureaucrats who are more concerned with how things “look” trying to paint a rosy picture by publishing all these grandiose financial numbers giving the illusion that they are doing a good job when in reality, in my opinion, they have done NOTHING to make things better. I judge them based on the performance of their peers like the NYS and PA DOL. They are doing so much better. NYS website is a 1000% better than NJ. It shows they care and tried to make a difference. Very informative. No question about how to claim backdated pay on their website. NJ website is a joke. As I mentioned before, designed by a 5th grader with crayons. Nothing about the process regarding how to claim backdated pay on their website. One would assume that it is intentional. Trying to hold on to those funds as long as they can. If anyone had any doubt or on the fence about how NJ is performing, just look at how they handled the LWA-FEMA. Speaks volumes. Majority of other states figured it out. Arizona I believe distributed checks 9 days after FEMA approval. Vote all Dems (Governor, State Senators, Assemblyman) out of office in the next election cycle for not demanding better performance. In my humble opinion, I do believe eventually, there will be a class action law suit filed on behalf of NJ residents. Probably not until pandemic/crisis has subsided. I know that doesn’t mean much when people are hurting now. Have faith Trina. GOD is watching. :)

        • Hey good morning. I’m posting here because I was denied the 20 week extension. I filed an appeal. That was over a month ago. I have proof of eligibility. They have not sent a letter, which it said they would. They also said that if you do not receive a letter within 2 weeks to call them. I tried for days to get in touch with them. Nobody answers the phone or it just hangs up automatically. I am a Union Sheet Metal Worker, but due to Covid work is scarce. Hence me being unemployed for so long. So here I am with no money coming in for over a month and no answers. Thanksgiving in my house is going to be very sad. Looks like its gonna be TV dinners here for food. I know that I’m not the only one struggling, but something needs to happen with the NJDOL. Very sad and depressed here, but the state doesn’t care. My life is in shambles because of this. Sorry for being so sad the day before Thanksgiving. Any help or suggestions are appreciated.

        • Hey Mayhem,

          I know…me too. You are not alone. Everyone here has their lives turned upside down and traumatized with no solution in sight. I had asked Corey Booker on his Twitter account about NJ and Retroactive PUA/FPUC backdated pay. I think they deleted that tweet. Earlier this year, I had called Senator Menendez office and got a recording stating that unemployment issues are a state issue and nothing to do with Federal…..are you kidding me???? I would suggest people contact ALL our legislators via Twitter. Ask them hard questions in public. That includes Senators, Local State Senators, Representatives, Local Assemblyman in your district. What gets under my skin is that all these politicians are collecting a paycheck and health insurance compliments of American and NJ taxpayers (local politicians). We should have a new bill that states when a certain percentage of Americans experience tragedy and the economy tanks especially due to their ignorance and inaction (like with SubPrime fiasco years ago), all politicians lose their salary and insurance until they resolve the issue. Guarantee there will be no more problems. McConnell, Pelosi, Schumer, Mnuchin still fighting over another stimulus package. In the meantime, Americans continue to burn at the stake. McConnell, Mnuchin & Pelosi are all multi millionaires with Mnuchin & Pelosi with net worth estimated to be over $100M…….

          Try to have a nice Thanksgiving. Maybe go to food bank to get groceries and not spend money buying groceries. Hopefully these feckless morons in congress will pass more stimulus.

        • hey frustrated I’m sorry it took me two days to let you know this but the other day I got an email from the New Jersey Department of Labor and they are requesting my tax return so that they can verify my income and adjust my weekly benefit rate is necessary and they told me I need to respond by the 13th they didn’t say anything about retroactive pay but I’m hoping that they handle that when they handle this because from what I was told this is what it’s supposed to be happening we’re supposed to be receiving an email to upload are documents on tax forms and then they’re supposed to have a monetary appointment with us and then go over our income and adjust our rate if necessary and back pay us so I’m going to upload my documents today and send them out to them and I’ll keep you updated if I hear anything back anytime soon good luck to you and I hope you get an email soon if you haven’t already it’s about time Figures it’s almost December and they’re finally verifying our incomes

        • Hey Angelina,

          A quick update. I got the email requesting financials. As you mentioned, nothing about retroactive back pay; the assumption is that it will be automatic which could be a big leap of faith with this organization…lol. My congressman is involved also. I can’t get into details, but, I would suggest anyone who is still struggling with NJDOL, to reach out to your congressman based on the district you are in for help like Trina suggested. It is hard to pinpoint exactly what triggered the financial request email. Either my Congressman or phone call several weeks ago about my Retroactive Back Pay being escalated to management. We will see how it goes. I’m looking forward to NJDOL proving me wrong about how they have handled this. I think the crazy part is that if the 2nd stimulus package is approved this week, you will probably get that quicker than this screwball nonsense process we have been dealing with to get back pay and verification of income.

        • I also received the email about uploading my 2019 tax returns and filling out the form. I had called in October and I was told it was being escalated and I would either receive a call or email if they needed more information. I did get funds from Aug-Oct at that point that I hadn’t but this whole time I’ve been getting the minimum amount which was what it said the tax returns were needed for to review to see if I qualified for more. It did not say if they were referring to supplier information money that I have already received or going forward only. But still no back pay to March from June when I applied.

        • Hey Anne,

          At least you got something. Everything still appears to be little sketchy flaky. When you say you received funds from Aug – Oct, were they backdated PUA or FPUC funds or both? If they were PUA, I assume they backdated the difference between the minimum $231 and maximum $731 (I think??) which would roughly be @$500 in backdated pay? FPUC would be the full $600.

          I feel for the people in Nevada. Thousands still not getting their unemployment. Google “Judge finds Nevada in contempt for failure to pay unemployment benefits”. Here is a quote from the article: “The court did not order people to be paid who don’t deserve to be paid,” Breslow said. “The court narrowly tailored its order to be consistent with U.S. Supreme Court precedent, which supersedes Dept. of Labor opinions. The court found federal law required payments to be made to the people covered in its initial order.”

          I predict NJ is heading down the same fate as NV. Why? Just look at how they handled LWA-FEMA. NJ was one of the last states to distribute funds. Does it evenly remotely look like they are getting their act together? Even after you submit documentation to verify income, they say it will take 4 weeks. Are you f**ng kidding me. You can only use the excuse of “we are overwhelmed” for so long. Other states have managed. Why can’t NJ? I get why Republican Senators are hesitant about throwing more money at states again with 2nd round of stimulus package. Congress absolutely need to fund unemployment (PUA/FPUC) and money for roll out of vaccines in every state along with the additional $1200. Anything else, states need to justify the need. States like NJ & NV, I would not give them a damn nickel until they get their act together.

        • good morning frustrated, you must have not received my response and on my caller ID it said audio conferencing so answer those called me and Told me she was backdating my queen to the day I became unemployed and that she had nothing to do with the email requesting financials. She said it’s completely separate but she’s going to be back getting my claim and within two to three weeks I should receive an email with instructions on how to certify. Apparently we have to certify for every single week from the date we became unemployed all the way up to today and at that point they will pay us I’ll let you when I get this email and I am assuming that it has something to do with escalation forms that they’re returning the calls I don’t know I really can’t put my finger on it but it seems to me like they’re trying to quickly get through everything now that they’ve been lacking on this entire time. Good luck to you

        • Hey Trina,

          I had to respond to this older post of yours. I could not find the most recent post. I actually contacted my House of Representative office (Federal, not state) for my district. They took all my information and said they would reach out directly to NJDOL. They had asked me if I had contacted my local State Senator Office. I told them yes and they were unsuccessful and gave up. The reps office was angry and criticized the NJDOL saying they don’t know what the hell they are doing. This rep from the office said they have thousands of complaints from NJ Residents. They will be in contact with me. I hope this works.

          I also called NJDOL to try again to get my Retroactive Backdated Pay. I got through after 45 min on hold. The telephone rep told me there was a new process where if any claim is out there for more than 4 weeks, they have to escalate to a Manager. Soooooo….here we go again with the escalations mickey mouse nonsense. She did tell me the process for getting the Backdated pay is that they would have to cancel my current claim and put through a new claim with the backdated payments. They will contact me in 2 weeks. There we go again with the knuckleheaded promises of contacting us in 2 weeks. I’ve been hearing that crap since day one. What a disaster.

          Lets hope the new stimulus package goes through and they backdate FPUC from December to July 31, 2020. I think it just might happen now.

          Still disgusted with Gov Murphy. If they don’t fix this soon, definitely not getting my vote and I bet 800,000+ other NJ residents feel the same way.

        • Good afternoon frustrated. I wanted to reach out to you to let you know that I just received a phone call from a woman at the Department of Labor and she backdated my claim all the way to March 5th and she instructed me to wait for an email that I’ll receive in two to three weeks with instructions on claiming those weeks. Also a little over a week ago I received an email from the Department of Labor requesting me to upload my tax forms and they are going to adjust my weekly benefit rate according to my income out of 2019. The lady that I spoke to today said she has nothing to do with the email requesting my financial records that all she does is backdate claims so one has nothing to do with the other it seems as though they are handling each issue separately which I assumed they were going to handle both at the same time but regardless they’re both being handled on in my case this month which I am very pleased about. It looks as though we may actually end the year with our claims backdated and at the correct weekly benefit amount. I’m hoping that you are also receiving these phone calls and emails so that your claim can be handled as well. Good luck to you and I will keep you informed with what happens next in my case

        • So there is a whole new process, as you mentioned above, if we are to try getting back due to March 1,2020?

          We have to call the DOL? Just tried calling this number and it was busy, wouldn’t go through-(609) 292-2515
          Of course.

        • Hello Anne, I don’t know about a new process but I do know that I put in several escalation forms and was told that a claims adjuster would contact me either by email or by phone call to backdate my claim, and that was months ago I never received an email as far as backdating my claim. But I surprisingly received a phone call today so if you have not put in an escalation form about getting your back pay I suggest you call and keep calling until you get through. I do know that it’s annoying and it sucks but the best days up to call or going to be on Saturday because less people are calling and I always was able to get through on a Saturday morning but my suggestion to you would be to get an escalation form in as soon as possible because they are finally starting to reach out to us and answer these forms and get us this back payment money that is due. Good luck to you if you have any other questions don’t hesitate to ask I’ll give you all the information I know or have. Have a great day and good luck to you again

        • Hi Angelina, thank you so much for your response. In October or Nov I spoke with other someone in North Jersey Unemployment office. They told me my acct had been put into a frozen status because I was getting some (minimal) work from my small business. Up to $200 or so a week at most but they still put the acct into that stays. She said she was escalating it. When the $300 finally came through I received two payments – I think 1 part was the unemployment from Aug 1- Nov I hadn’t received and the other was the $300 from Aug-Nov.

          I’ve now been receiving the weekly amount (minus anything I make so since I receive like $200 sometimes, some weeks I get nothing, sometimes it’s as low as $20). But anyway, I have two questions:

          does it sound like I now need to do another escalation phone call for the back pay and the $600 a week going back to March that I never received (I filed in June because I didn’t think I qualified and finally filed and started receiving funds starting in June forward)?

          Also, the person in the email string above had said they did this all through the DOL. So I’m confused if I need to call them?

          Thank you very much,

        • Hi Anne, yes I would call again… The unemployment libe, I live in s jersey and Ive aalways manage to get through the 856 – 507 – 2340 number after calling numerous times. also try Saturday afternoons and mornings they seem to have less call volumes on those days but I do believe in people are telling you to call the Department of Labor they lean the unemployment hotline numbers were given those are the only phone numbers we’ve ever been given to call. You can try the other numbers as well for North Jersey in Central Jersey I don’t think it really matters which phone number you reach them at. your circumstances are a little unique but I would definitely call and make sure they put another escalation form and it wouldn’t hurt like I said I put three or four of them in and I eventually had somebody finally reach out to me in reference to them. I think that New Jersey was pushed or forced 2 get everybody backdated because pretty much everyone was complaining and raising hell about it and rightfully so good luck to you if you need me for anything else don’t. If you’d like to reach me directly by email [email protected] good luck!!

        • Hello,

          My friend told me that she just got an email about her back did a claim.I’ve been waiting for a longer amount of backpay and still nothing for me. Anyone else get this email yet? What’s the Best number to call?

        • Hello Michelle, if your receiving Pua unemployment benefits and need to be backdated so you can receive your retroactive pay from the date you became unemployed until the date that you filed your clean you need to call the unemployment numbers and ask them to submit an escalation form. They have been submitting these escalation forms for months now but now they are finally able 2 submit your weeks to be cleaned. I don’t know what the holdup was all this time but they finally resolved whatever issue they were having and they are getting back to people now so like I said if you are a Pua recipient you will be receiving an email asking for your tax documents or whatever financial documents you have to prove yourself employment, freelancer gig work which I received one about two weeks ago and I submitted all my information and not so that they can adjust your weekly benefit amount. and as you know they approve everybody at the minimum amount each week of $231 and many people learn much more and unemployment is supposed to pay 60% of your wages to you so they ask for your financial records to adjust your benefit rate. As far as your retroactive weeks are concerned you need to call the unemployment number for your area and request the wraps that answer the phone to put in an escalation form for you within a couple weeks you should get a call back from them like I said and they will give you instructions on what to do after they submit request for your back pay when they call you back. Good luck to you

        • Hey Angelina,

          I hope this works out. We’ve been hearing about receiving these so called emails since the beginning of the year and it never shows up. Perhaps things have actually changed. When I called a week ago, I had a similar conversation with a telephone rep. She said she would escalate my issue to a manager since it has been out there longer than 4 weeks which appears to be some kind of new process/policy. I’m supposed to receive an email in 2 weeks which will provide me with instructions. She told me that a new claim needs to be filed backdating to when I lost my job which means your current PUA Claim will be voided – at least that is what I was told. We will see. As I mentioned, we’ve kind of been down this path already. Lets stay positive and hope for the best.

          We may be getting more money with next stimulus. I think they will reach a deal by end of week or next Monday. It will be FPUC $300 per week instead of original $600. Lets hope congress will authorize the backdating of FPUC from Dec 2020 back to July 31, 2020 when it ended. Nice lump sum of money. I also think there will be even more money next year on top of this stimulus package once Biden takes the helm. NJDOL better not Puck this up also. I hope they are ready.

          Definitely keep me posted. I really would finally like the NJDOL to prove me wrong.

    • Hello there is an update online that NJUI will give another chance for the LWA $1800 payment to those that didn’t get it and are qualified. I also did not get it. The update said that an email or text will be sent out. I am hoping that we will get that email or text because I never received the last time.
      I have escalated my case to the NJ Senate’s office. They sent my info to NJui abd also told me the same thing about another payment.
      Hope we get it this time.

      Reply
      • Thank gosh! I am PUA and I know I am eligible and qualified. I didn’t receive my $1800 LWA payment bc the day it was sent on Wed Oct. 19th to Oct 31st when it would have shown up in my checking account via PayPal, my usual direct deposit account went limited due to an issue I was having with them and since my acct. went limited I could not receive anything. Talk about BAD TIMING… I have downloaded and fully been set up using Chimes Online Free Banking Services, which does provide you with an account number, routing number, debit card and direct deposit. I updated all this on the NJUnemployment website however I did not get a phone call ever, I did not receive any emails that I saw bc another unfortunate event was that much gmail inbox was maxed out of space from Oct 14th to the 22nd so I actually don’t know if they sent me anything, just rly hard bad luck pressed against me I feel. I deleted a lot and it still didn’t recover those list emails in between that time frame.
        Anyway since the deposit of the money into everyone’s accts I have tried to call several times but could never get through and I have not received anything no email no txt no phone call.
        On THIS website it states that for people such as my self whom faced an error like mine that these people should contact them some how but how can I? Does anyone know an email address I can send them JUST TO LET THEM KNOW that I have recently updates my direct deposit and from the dates which the LWA payment was sent out and in attempt to be processed my standard dire t deposit info that I always have used went “on hold” Or placed under a “limited access” I use PayPal btw, which means I could not receive or send any money. Since October 23rd I have changed and updates my direct deposit on the NJUNEMPLOYMENT Website and it was successfully confirmed and I also successfully received two NJ unemployment payments two different weeks ($208, $208) since the $1800 LWA payment has been sent out to everyone.

        Reply
        • I live in NJ and bank with boa and am receiving my regular ui weekly benefits but not my pua$300 benefits i never received an email or text but I was told. I didn’t need to do anything because it was automatic. So its now November and still no $300 FEMA payments. Wheres my money?

  21. I’m sorry to have to give you this bad news but The person you talked to was correct. Once you retire they consider your unemployment due to retirement and not because you are out of work.

    Reply
    • Very happy for the people who received the 1800 as of 2:00PM Oct 30th still haven’t received anything I never got emails or texts they said I didn’t have to do anything

      Reply
  22. Hello, well I did not receive the $1800, nor did I ever get an email, text message, or call to certify for COVID. I went into the website and certified as if I was filing a new claim and now they won’t pay me for this week. So now I am out 1800 and my usual 642 weekly payment. So do not recertify online! The error message I got yesterday while trying to certify was “No benefits are available to you at this time. Your next compensable week ending is 10/31/2020. You can certify for this week only after this date has past.” I called the 732 number which has the shortest wait time and was told that they do not see an error message on their end so my claim was submitted to another department. I don’t know if that is a good thing. According to internet search, this error message often means that my account was flagged. Now I’m out the 1800 and my normal weekly benefits.

    Reply
    • I received that message once and I was so confused because it was telling me that I was not eligible that week but I could certify again for the following week and I ended up getting my payment that week anyway it was some type of glitch and I ended up receiving my payment normally that next Friday morning and I certified on a Wednesday but Thursday I received an email that my payment was sent to my bank and I woke up to it Friday morning so hopefully it’s a glitch for you as well

      Reply
    • I’m sorry I know that I just left you the last comment but I had to go back and read again what the error message was that you received and That is the same exact message it told me, I would have to wait until the date for my next certifiable week had passed. but you normally certify on Wednesdays? Do you normally get your money on Friday? If so I’m willing to bet you will get your money. It happened to me about 6 weeks ago and I was freaking out but ended up getting my money anyway it was really really strange

      Reply
      • I hope so Angelina, I’m already hurting from not getting the 1800 I thought I was going to get. I wasn’t one of the lucky ones.

        Reply
      • There is an additional LWA disclaimer you have to check off, if you dont check this disclaimer my guess is you wont get it. If I remember correctly this disclaimer is on your account ( not on the certification process ), so u have to log in and look for LWA page.

        Reply
        • I checked the disclaimer and still didn’t get anything. No email, no text either. My original claim i checked my unemployment was covid related at the very start. I know I’m not the only one .

        • I checked the box too. No email and I’m not even sure if i got a text because i changed my phone number and forgot to update it on the website. Hopefully we’ll be in the next batch because they know the system was faulty and only 97% of eligible people received it. I just also read that they sent more money yesterday so people should be getting a deposit tomorrow

        • Hey everyone, update, I have my 1800 pending for tomorrow for BoA prepaid debit card so keep an eye out. I only answered the text messages that I copy and pasted to show everyone last week in the forum, I didn’t check the box in claim status. I thought for sure I wasn’t getting it and was starting to loose all hope but I just checked and it was there pending so take a look. Good luck everyone. Stay hopeful.

        • that is so wonderful I really hope everybody who is entitled will get it I am so happy to hear that they AR correcting their mistakes it’s so wrong that they missed anybody after making everyone wait that long they left many people hanging with no money whatsoever who were entitled to it I am so over New Jersey

        • So happy for you. Hopefully everything will get straightened out and we will all be happy. Best of luck

        • thank you for your kind words but I got my 1800 last Friday I was just expressing my excitement and joy that people who were entitled to get the 1800 last week but did not get it are now getting it this week. It broke my heart to see all the comments in this thread by those whom unemployment missed or whatever they did to skip those poor people!!!

    • Check your bank. Got mine this morning. I spoke to a woman on Wednesday and she told me batches were going out and it could take up to 2 weeks. Keep the faith Best of luck to all❤️

      Reply
  23. My account froze by njui 14000 and I cant get a dime not so.i have a do.e do not use bofa for.unemploymwbt they can freeze your money money that I thought was mine it’s been 5 weeks now and no word why or when will be resolved o my told fraud sweep and sometime innocent people get caught up in it I dont understand because njui says cant see yr account and wont admit to anything call BofA and they wont admit to.anything but bank is only one who can look in account also my weekly pua pay pending being held up at same time cause of that wmail.fibaly came to find out if u get more money I missed monetary interview cause paper came in mail.4 days after the interview was suppose to be so they hold up.my account for that has anyone had anything with frozen account any help at all and anything like should I put an appeal in I want to get a lawyer how can they take money all your money like . I opens directvdeposit I wish I had take that money out I I my had it for 2 weeks I waited 5 months to get my claim processed and now this any one with same or advice

    Reply
  24. Christopher-you called today? Tuesday? Interesting, I thought there was no hope left for me but I guess from what it sounds some people can still expect to get paid???

    Reply
    • Don’t give up yet. According NJ.COM today, NJ Labor acknowledge that errors have underpaid some recipients or made no payment at all.
      It also said some people who got text from Labor Dept with instruction on how to file for LWA thought it was a spam. So, make sure you didn’t do that.

      Reply
    • After reading all the comments I feel it’s only right to post my update as of 10/28/20 I have not received payment. I did speak to NJDOL I was one of the 3% the system missed. There is not exact date for me. Hope this helps. I didn’t want to hold up the line some one else could use the time. Good Luck and just Put Ur Trust In Him..

      Reply
    • Just got off the phone with unemployment. The woman could tell me I’m entitled to it but it may take up to two weeks. System is very slow and they are having difficulty getting out payments. I hit the number to check on my claim I believe it was 1 and during the recorded message I hit 0. I was on hold for 30 minutes. Evidently payments are being distributed through BOA and is taking longer than expected. Keep the faith. Praying for all of us waiting

      Reply
    • i got in touch with dol on monday they said they still processing they did mines on on sat thw 24 so they said i should see two business days or by the 29

      Reply
      • 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.

        Reply
  25. Hi,
    every time I was searching about LWA it say ” you don’t have to do anything if you are eligible you will receive LWA benefits” I just realize on this weekend that I have to certified one time on my portal and I tried and it didn’t give me the option, unfortunately it is too late now to do. Is that mean I will not get the money? please I need someone help me and let me know what I have to do to receive this money.

    Reply
    • Same thing happened to me. I even tried answering a text message from NJ DOL but couldn’t respond that way. The website said if we did not certify that it was COVID-19 related we would not be included in this round. I pray that is nor the case when their system was glitched!

      Reply
    • There is an additional LWA disclaimer you have to check off, if you dont check this disclaimer my guess is you wont get it. If I remember correctly this disclaimer is on your account ( not on the certification process ), so u have to log in and look for LWA page.

      Reply
  26. I actually got this information from NJ Realtors website as of 6/16/2020:

    “NJ Department of Labor is authorizing the minimum payment amount PUA ($231) while they continue to work on claims. When your case is eventually updated you will see the amount increase to the appropriate amount based on your income. They are starting recipients out at the minimum amount to get money to those who have been waiting a very long time for benefits.

    The DOL will contact you with regards to providing additional information about your net income for 2019, which will then recalculate your payment. Any additional funding will be back dated and you will receive a new weekly benefit amount. There is no timeframe for these adjustments.”

    Good lord this is bad. Many of you in this forum could be entitled to maximum of $713 per week instead of the paltry $231 per week via PUA. What the hell is going on with NJ? When will they reach out to us? How will they reach out to us? – probably via Carrier Pigeon at the rate they are going. I have never seen such staggering incompetence when so many livelihoods are at stake. For those of us who qualify, what about the Retroactive Back Pay for PUA/FPUC. Many are owed thousands. Going on 8 months now with no new or improved processes. Same ole Mickey Mouse process of calling these clueless telephone reps and have them put through an escalation form and never receive a reply or communication from anyone. Why on earth would you hire a bunch of telephone reps that are passing on escalation notification to an already overwhelmed claims adjuster….oy vey. HIRE MORE CLAIMS ADJUSTERS. Even if Pelosi & Mnuchin come to agreement on new stimulus package money, why on earth would they give more Federal Money to NJ. They still can’t get their act together.

    Reply
    • I am so frustrated with these phone reps. I have been waiting now for 7 months for DOL to fix my original claim so I can receive back benefits plus the $600 a week that is owed to me. I filed a claim under “gig worker” but it took time to get that through. Once I did, I heard from unemployment within a week via email stating how I was approved and so on. The problem was that they had my last day of employment as May 14th when I clearly stated that it was March 14th. All they had to do was fix a date but no, that was to easy I suppose. On Oct 2nd I received an email from DOL telling me they had to cancel my original claim and create a new one so they could back date it. This email went on to say how I would now get all the money due to me plus the $600 a week. As unbelievable as it sounds, my new claim is backdated to March 15th but where there was a dollar amount in the WBR of my old claim and plenty of money still left in the amount section, this new backdated claim has $0 even though the status is filed and I am supposed to be certifying weekly for all these back benefits. And No, DOL is not sending this claim to an adjuster for more wage info. I have already been approved under PUA. Incompetent doesn’t come close to what these “workers” have done. No one double checked to make sure the money I had left was transfered to my new account. Now I’m worse off. I cannot believe it. I have lost count of how many people I’ve spoken to from their call center. And the answers I get (along with the background sounds of chomping and chewing) is “it’s part of the process” and ” I have to send this to a supervisor”. All the while my claim is in some virtual line waiting. I am told this every time. Ok so I’ve gotten through on the phone but nothing has been fixed yet. How can this be? I no longer want to hear how backlogged they are. If they would fix the problem, then this backlog would start going down. I’d like to know where they found these people . I could have done a better job. Am I alone with this problem? This mess may sound confusing but it’s not for me or unemployment. I am at the end of my rope. I cannot take this much longer as my claim is now on a virtual desk and appears to be forgotten again. These call centers don’t care. I’m just a number to them. Not a person with so many fears and worries now. They need to go back to work and join a gym while their at it. The reason everyone is having a hard time getting through on the phone isn’t because they’re so overwhelmed, it’s because they purposefully do not pick it up because they have a huge mouth full of food or who knows what it is. I don’t believe I’ll ever see that money now. I’ve lost what little faith I had in them.

      Reply
      • Wait I have a question……I just filed a new claim last week but I have been out of work since March they are supposed to give you all that back or does it only start from the date you filed a new claim??

        Reply
        • andrea iam with you i filed a claim on sept 27aa i never thought i would be approved anyway i got an approval for two weeks i could not claim finally after weeks of trying i got thru and something was messed up she said i have to re file and she told me i would get every dime from the last day worked afyter i get my approval again to call them and they will take care of all the lost wages she also said that as i claimed it was covid 19 related that i would get the 1800 now iam still waiting bur we are to get all our lost wages iam in NJ so i will update this once i get my money

        • I know it’s supposed to go back to the date that you became unemployed. The catch is when you file their only going to start your clean from the date that you file, you have to wait months and months and months until they contact you to verify your income. They will need to review your tax returns with your schedule C or 1099s however it is that you report your income but they will need to review these forms to determine your income so that they can recalculate your benefit amount because everybody gets approved for the minimum $231 per week. Unemployment benefit amount is supposed to be 60% of your income and for many $231 is much too low compared to what they normally make but it’s at this point that they recalculate your weekly benefit rate and then backdate. They do need to verify our income and that we actually work because they have been receiving a lot of fraudulent claims. The problem that I have with the system that they have in place right now is that it’s taking entirely too long I have been waiting since May 3rd to be contacted and it is now almost November. They went and hired all of these temporary telephone Representatives but gave them no power to do anything and all that these people are doing are helping them answer the huge loads of incoming calls but nobody’s getting any results by talking to these reps so they keep calling and calling. Apparently the Department of Labor just told these Representatives that whatever problem anybody has just fill out this escalation form and tell the people that an actual claims adjuster will be in contact with them by phone or by email within a couple weeks which is a complete and total blatant outright lie. but I have been in contact with my local Senator’s office since June because I am owed back payments from March until may and finally they were informed that njdol has finally started to contact all of the Pua claim recipients to veridy their income & properly date their claims to when they became unemployed due to covid…. again I do understand why they initially just approve everybody from the date that they filed and at the lowest benefit amount, to put at least something in our pockets and give them a litlle time to review our claim to prevent fraud, etc…but not 7-8 months!!! I think 4-6 weeks is all it should have taken….maybe if they actually gave the reps they hired some actual authority to lighten their load…not just hire temps to answer our calls & unknowingly lie to us!!!!!!

        • Well stated Angelina!! Below, I cut and paste this information directly from the NJ Office of The Governor website from a PDF File link in the press release. It is pretty dam clear that PUA/FPUC is retroactive to Feb 2 (PUA) & April 4 (FPUC). People should Google “NJ Labor Department to Begin Making Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Payments This Week” 04/29/2020. I don’t know why people at the State UI Office are telling NJ residents that it is based on Claim File Date, not date you lost your job and that you are not entitled to retroactive back pay. Got their heads so far up their ass, they don’t know whether they are coming or going. They really screwed up the LWA and they are STILL screwing up the backdated payments owed. The Liability and Negligence continue to mount. Not looking good for reelection for Murphy next year; doesn’t matter how many fluffy commercials he publishes. Such a shame.

          THE CORONAVIRUS AID, RELIEF, AND ECONOMIC SECURITY ACT:
          UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE RELIEF FOR WORKERS IMPACTED BY COVID-19

          The federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law on March 27, 2020. It provides assistance to workers who have been negatively impacted by the coronavirus emergency by creating Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA).

          1. I’m self-employed, an independent contractor, a gig worker, or a platform worker.
          What do I get from the CARES Act?
          If eligible, you can receive Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA). These benefits can be retroactive for periods of unemployment that began after February 2, 2020.

          2. How much is PUA?
          PUA potentially provides the same amount as regular unemployment (60% of your average weekly salary, up to a maximum of $713 per week) for up to a total of 39 weeks. The PUA amount for the self-employed is calculated using prior year(s) tax returns if wages are not reported through wage records. The PUA minimum, for businesses operating at a loss or with insufficient income to qualify for benefits, is $231 per week. PUA benefits are considered taxable income. PUA recipients are also eligible for an extra $600 per week, also taxable. The $600 per week is retroactive to the week
          ending April 4, 2020, and ends the week of July 25, 2020.

        • What upsets me the most is that the New Jersey Department of Labor was extremely dishonest with their handling of Pua Claims. Instead of telling us that we would be automatically approved starting the date we filed our claim at the lowest weekly benefit rate until a claims adjuster is able to verify our source and amount of income via tax returns, bank statements, Etc. And that this process could take up to a year possubly because of the volume of claims presented to the New Jersey Department of Labor and that they need time to work through them but rest assured that we are owed that money and we will get it. No, instead they instructed their phone reps to unknowingly lie to us and give us false hope in these escalation forms and allow us to get our hopes up &tell us that within two to four weeks this escalation form is going to reach an actual claims adjuster who has authority to backdate our claims & adjust our benefit amount. I was told this every month and for 4 months straight I got my hopes up high and thought I was going to have those several thousand dollars within a couple weeks to just be hugely disappointed month after month. Now that I know what’s going on I’m not saying that I’m okay with it taking this long but at least I have a realistic expectation Now versus back in May June July and August thinking that I was going to have that money by the time the school year started just be let down over and over again it’s wrong and New Jersey Department of Labor among all other state entities have lost my trust and I am hugely disappointed & can never trust them again.

      • File for an appeal I did it. You can complete one on the unemployment web site. I had to do this I just had a hearing on the 20th of this month receive some of my benefits already waiting for the retroactive $600 back pay. All I needed was a date change, don’t give up you will still get it.

        Reply
        • Angel, could you expand a little further. Why did you first appeal? Were you first denied PUA? You mentioned you had a hearing? Did you actually go to NJUI offices? How did they contact you? You mentioned all it took was a date change. How and who changed the date? I’m not looking for a written novel from you. If you could add a little more details.

          It certainly would be helpful if NJDOL/NJDUI would post instructions and how the actual process works regarding how to receive Retroactive backdate pay on their website. If it is there, could you post a link for everyone to see.

      • I feel for you I filed in March i sat in pending until 1st week in sept the man who finally called me and did my claim in four hours and helped me certify for the 22 weeks told me he was so frustrated with his workers who pushed around my claim for weeks n weeks no one wanted to do it so finally he said give it to me. I need to get it done. Like wtf the people they hired cant answer anything when u call and then to hear that’s why my claim took.so.long. anyway it gets worse I get all.my money retro and two weeks later go to atm my card had been closed and all my money all.of it on it. I called BofA and they said njui closes acvount call them i call them the agent if u wanna call her that said nothing wrong with card and if there was u have to call bofa we sont have anything to do with card. This went back and forth 3 days finally njui person told me closes because fraud sweep and innocent people getting caught up in it. But also.ahe said I see there’s another problem they need speak.to you for monetary interview and they called you yesterday why didnt you answer i said I always answer ssp.now waiting to hear from u guys I asked what number they call well they called my old number that I changes to new number in june apparently when they did my claim somehow old number was put back in system so.im.like when van I fix that. Oh you have to wait for call im.liks how long. Oh 4 ro 6 weeks so now two days after I was told that a letter comes in mail.saying I have a phone Intetview for Sept 30. The letter came. Oct 4. So when I spoke to person who new all.thia I said if I open direct deposit will the money incertidy for each week fo on that like it’s not frozen ahw said no you will get that money at least since all other money frozen on card soni open bank account switch over direct deposit certify that week and guess what now my claim not payable at this time when I missed phone interview they stopped me.gettibg money until I talk to specialist because they dont know I’d I want to continue my claim because I didn’t answer phone it’s now wns of October still haven’t gotten call ot when I call no answers if I had known that money I thought was mine really isnt i.qowouls of taken on all.out. there’s 14000 on card and the money I get each week is hagubg in limbo. Also when I checked my balance on card 400 was missing couple weeks back I called answer I got yeah there a glitch in system they have to fix cause that’s happening to alot accounts like omg and it’s still not back on card. I swear I want to get a lawyer. 5 months I suffered waiting for money n I get it and they freeze my account like I dont even have dollar that i can use. but if anyone has money on bofa take it off now anyone can have their acct frozen actually they close the acct and bofa swears they have no part of it but then how njui can close it if they say they have nothing to so with card and they cant see transactions at all. Them why are they closing them from.what info are they basing this on. Ans I had nothing strange with my act I didn’t have time I AM PRAYING SOMONW CALLS ME THIS WEEK AND I GET MY MONEY BACK. I AM SICK TO MY STOMACH OVET THIS.IF I DONT HAVE A breakdown I’ll be lucky if anyone has any info on this let me know post it or has advice to get lawyer how can they take my money all of it with my name never again use bofa debit for unemployment do not

        Reply
        • this happened to me too!!! i have $5000.00 frozen in an account and i have no access to it because of this “fraud sweep”

      • Trina,

        You are on point with everything you stated. I’ve encountered EVERYTHING you mentioned. While the telephone reps are clueless, a majority of them are outsourced contractors from out of state. It is the responsibility of management to educate and inform these telephone reps of what to say. I’ve had conversations with several from Indiana and other states. They all tell me different processes and procedures. One lady very aggressively stated that you will just receive the retroactive pay. No one will contact you. Many of them just hang up on you. The problem is that there is no official process or procedures. It is pretty clear that this has been managed poorly and CONTINUES to be managed poorly. The giveaway is how they handled LWA. Taking close to 2 months to distribute funds with majority of states distributing in early to mid September with Arizona being the rock star of distributing their LWA 9 days after FEMA approved. The current NJDOL process of calling, have the telephone rep complete some kind of escalation form and then forward this escalation to a claims adjuster who is already overwhelmed with claims is ASININE. Why is that NYS & PA can figure this out, but, NJ cannot? Hire temporary claims adjusters; not telephone reps. Extremely inefficient. It seems they are comfortable with continue to cry about being overwhelmed instead of figuring something out that is efficient. NYS & PA were successful. How about this: NJ should outsource their Unemployment Insurance operations to NYS or PA. They know how to get it done.

        Reply
      • I agree I’m frustrated as well it’s Monday and I haven’t received nothing in my boa account yet it’s so sad

        Reply
        • I just got in contact with them for the issue you have, they claim because I didn’t answer my email to certify I lost my job to Covid-19 I was too late to receive 1,8000, now I have to wait for more funding from FEMA.

      • I am also waiting months for backdate. Most of call center employees try to help but their hands are tied. NJ hired call center workers who reside ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, work from their homes. they are experience Customer service Reps. They are given very little info regarding actually fixing issues. Occasionally you get “lucky” and a rep will put in extra effort and look at your claim history. Others apologize for not being given tools to help, and ask for patience. Occasionally you get as rep who is very apologetic, wishes to do more but cant, and sometimes you just get disconnected after waiting on hold over an hour. It is the fault of State of NJ Leaders, not these reps. My advice is to call your State Legislature Representative in your DISTRICT. google it, call all 3 of them. in your case you have nothing to lose. I ve been waiting for backdate to March since I was approved in June. NJ makes interest on our backdate $$ so in no hurry to release it. I recall GOV. Murphy saying MANY times, we wouldnt lose ONE DAY OR ONE PENNY OF BENEFITS because system was down for months. I’d like to know why it’s taking so long. It’s a terrible way to treat taxpayers and Shows NJ cant handle UI. btw, NY and PA gave back pay immediately. this is unacceptable. I’m so stressed financially I cant sleep. Best of luck to you

        Reply
        • I also filed for PUA back in june but my last day of work was march 15th. I filed so late because I didn’t know gig workers could file til then. Well my claim got approved at the end of august but I could only file from week ending in june til now. So I have been calling unemployment since beginning of sept only to get different answers from different reps. Last two told me it takes 8-10 weeks for backdate claims. they keep telling me to look for an email or phone call I check everyday no email no phone call. So overwhelming.

    • Who has PNC bank? I’ve been checking the last few days and nothing yet.. My fiancé’s niece has PNC too and got it… I’ve been unemployed since May and was receiving the $600 (until July) and am still getting unemployment payments. Never received the texts or emails to certify that my job ended due to Covid (I did that when I first filed for unemployment). Just trying to be patient…

      Reply
      • Erika, I have PNC. No deposit yet. I’m on the PEUC now, and I Checked that box to attest , but I don’t think I had to. It was in my claims status. I thought everyone got it. I’m hoping Tuesday will be the day. I have so many bills that are now past due.

        Reply
        • I’m with you, Julie … bills and student loans.
          I checked this morning and I only got my regular unemployment amount that I file on Sunday. I triple checked that I was eligible and I shouldn’t have needed to say my jobs were effected by Covid.

        • Hi All
          Just got off phone with rep. Even though I am qualified, received more than $100 in unemployment, did not receive any email, text or phone, she said thay I was not on the list last week for payment to be released to me.
          She could not tell me anything more. i asked her to look into my case why but she keep saying it’s Fema. I met Fema requirement but NJ seem to be doing their own thing. I am at a dead end here. No funds was released to me.
          Still don’t know why???????

  27. Hey everyone. I missed the email that said to certify my unemployment was due to covid but I’m already on PUAC.. am I getting the 1800? Or am I screwed since I Missed the due date?

    Reply
    • You may just be screwed….join the club, it sucks. My email was in my spam mail. I recieved text messages from DOL which I replied to and they texted back saying they have my confirmation that I had been impacted by covid 19. So I thought I was good to go but I still haven’t received any payment yet.

      Reply
      • This was a way to get people to not get paid. Why send an email that goes to spam folder? Same thing happened to me. Also got the text message saying I was confirming out of work due to Covid. Never got the money. Anyone I’ve talked to that replied to text but never got the email also never got the money.

        Reply
        • You are absolutely right! I truly don’t understand why they would
          confirm it over text if we had to do something on the website they have text us right away saying you must go to the claim status and do this, that, and the other instead of replying “we have confirmation your employment was impacted by covid 19. DOL will assess your account for lost wages assistance payments. Thank you. ” Like hello, dont text that if we had to do something additional. And if we all wake up tomorrow to our money then I take it back but it’s not looking good………..If there is anyone out there who confirmed being unemployed due to covid 19 over the text messages sent by DOL and actually received the money please let us know.

        • Yeah not only that but the text message I received was on Saturday October 16th at 7:50 PM the text message reads please certify by the 5 PM deadline when I click the link there was nothing to attest to and no box to check as I had already missed the cut off. I have the text message saved and I have not used email for my Unemployment claims, I do not even have my email address on file. It begs the question why would I check my email all of a sudden looking for these benefits when Nj has never communicated anything to me through email since March. This is a massive disservice to American citizens who have done nothing wrong I have been claiming since March and was on top of every FEMA/LWA article that there was; none of them were accurate and none from NJ itself about this massively important email and or text they were sending out. Some articles said that we would be receiving the $1800 in a lump sum check others said that if you are already collecting and it is an amount over $100 you do not have to do anything further nowhere did I get a phone call or notification to claim this money until like I said 7:50 PM on a Saturday night October 16th when I received a text message stating the deadline was 5 PM earlier that day. I can only hope that it’s still being processed because that money was meant for my kids holiday gifts and to help put food on the table and I don’t say that as a throwaway line we are literally broke and I am disgusted that I have not been able to get through for weeks I call every day at 8 AM it seems the phones are turned off from the moment the day starts, this is appalling and I don’t know who to turn to anymore I have sent direct emails to governor Murphy I have sent emails to reporters that have published somewhat accurate articles and doing the best job that they can but New Jersey unemployment should be ashamed of themselves their website does not work in fact I can no longer claim on their website for reasons unknown, it says they do not have a claim on file for me which is untrue and I have every certification dating back to March and nothing has changed and my last weeks certification still has a balance of over $1,400 so it’s an absolute mess, luckily just today I found a loophole through a phone number where you can self service certify for benefits and everything went through so I will get my measly $208 hopefully on Wednesday as it usually does come through my BofA prepaid card. but this is directly affecting the lives of my children and myself immensely and I try to hide it from them but I am sick to my stomach and truly just want to give up. Update: as I was writing this post I received a call back from the 761-2020 number and they don’t know why it’s not working online but they said my claim that I did on the phone today went through but they have no pending $1800 deposit into my account the person I spoke with said they would send an escalation form to be reviewed so pray for us that we get the money we deserve and I hope that any of you going through the same situation receive some clarity on their situation I am obviously not happy but I have at least gotten through and was able to state my case to somebody so hopefully this gets resolved best of luck to anyone out there experiencing this or something similar.
          Sincerely, Brandon

        • Brandon I truly hate to be the bearer of bad news but those workers that are hired to answer the phones for unemployment are told that they are to fill out these escalation forms and to tell us that within two to four weeks we should be receiving a phone call or email from an actual claims adjuster but in actuality these forms do absolutely nothing oh, I have filled out several up then going all the way back to the beginning of June and have never received an email or a phone call and response to any of them and I am not the only person. We have all been told the sane lies about these “forms”and it’s not the representatives that answer the phones fault because they are being told that these forms are actually going somewhere and that people are working on them and it’s all not true. I just hate to see anybody have false hope over these forms as I did I was counting on getting the $5,000 that unemployment owes me but like I said I never received an email or a phone call and they still owe me payments between March 8th and May 3rd. I’m sorry I hope the best for you. But please believe these escalation forms have absolutely no power

        • Such a shame. How can you send out automated texts after the deadline. Absolutely horrendous. It should have been a box you check during normal claim. Website is down they turn around and give you the smallest window to make this claim when they put no information in their website about it. Truly unbelievable

      • Same here never received emails or texts filed my
        Claim in April and certified lost job do to covid-19 and nothing

        Reply
    • They may be later in the NJ DOL processing batches (processing times vary by institution). If you haven’t got your payment yet, don’t panic as could take till Monday or Tuesday to get to your account. Calling the NJ DOL/DUI is not going to help at this stage either (impossible to get someone). I’ll post updates here (and on twitter/facebook) + great reader community here posting comments on payment updates.

      Reply
      • Hi Andy
        My bank is Chase and as of today Saturday 10/24/20, I did see the money in my account. What should I do?

        Reply
        • Hi Joe
          I have Chase and as of today 10/24/20 I still do not see my deposit as yet. What is going on?

        • Hi Joe/Andy:
          I have Chase too but as of today Monday 10/26/20, still no payment. Please advise what I should do. Tried calling but can’t get through to anyone. I submitted an online query on Saturday. Really frustrating.
          Thanks
          Sabita

      • thank you Andy. my fingers crossed you are correct. i have yet to see lwa and have been unemployed since March and previously certified covid related (I’m in entertainment biz technical). i saw the notification “no need to do anything if already covid claimed” but last week i heard of an email sent in early oct to “only those who need to certify covid”. I searched email history and saw it for the first time to late. I missed that opportunity to re-certify and perplexed as to why I even got it.

        Reply
    • Hi Deb, we spoke yesterday, the 1800 was deposited in my credit union account this morning (Friday morning) I use County Educators Federal Credit union …..hope yours hits soon!!!

      Reply
  28. I never got an email, text or mail from NJDOL asking for any additional information. I randomly checked the box in my claim status just because I looked. I did not get a deposit today. I am nervous. They are not taking phone calls today at all. It hangs up on you, all 5 numbers I have. I faxed over a letter asking why I didn’t get it and sent a message, but who knows if i will ever get a response. Did anyone else not get an email, text or mail? I just assumed because I said I was unemployed because of covid when I applied, I was good.

    Reply
    • Just found this…makes me sick: LWA tracker
      State New Jersey $300. PAID. 10/22/20. 6 weeks Depleted-Y 10/22/20

      I guess if you couldn’t get through to certify you are screwed. I couldn’t, hopefully it is still in transit for others. Good luck all. I’m gonna go cry now.

      Reply
    • I received a text message on Saturday at 7:50 PM stating that the deadline is 5 PM I literally just want to blow my brains out right now I am so nauseous I have been collecting since March and have done everything I need to do but this is absolutely disgusting I truly want to have a face-to-face with Murphy so he can tell my kids why were eating mac & cheese for dinner. This is a nightmare and I am disgusted to be a part of New Jersey after this I have BOfA prepaid nothing pending nothing anywhere I am absolutely devastated.

      Reply
      • I would like to get my unemployment issues resolved as soon as possible. I was layed off from work on 4/9/20 and opened a claim on 4/12/20. Received benefit determination on 4/14/20 and certified for benefits for three weeks unemployed (4/12-4/18, 4/19-4/25, 4/26-5/2)
        I was sent 2 weeks of payment of $642 each week. Then I received a letter stating that I owed unemployment $713.
        I went back to work on may 5th. The letter saying I owed money apparently put a halt on my unemployment benefits without a single explanation of WHY?
        I have attempted hundreds of calls to unemployment but cannot get through to a person to resolve this issue.
        I got layed off again on 9/17/20 and reopened my claim. In the meantime, I finally got through to someone at unemployment, 5 MONTHS LATER and was told I needed to pay back the $713 before anything could be done.
        Well I’ll play this stupid game and send the $713 back, which I did.
        I reopened my claim on 9/18/20 and certified for benefits only to find out that unemployment deducted the amount owed, which I already paid, from my account. This has caused the only 2 payments I received to be taken back. Now I am at 0 (ZERO) dollars received from benefits that I constantly pay into from this fraud of government called Unemployment Benefits. As of this letter , I am owed 5 weeks of benefits plus the extra $600 per week benefits promised in the cares act. Again calls to the UE offices will not go through and all emails i’ve sent continue to go unanswered.
        Any help resolving these issues would be greatly appreciated. Nobody should be put through the stresses of dealing with these issues for 6 months without an answer.
        None of this is due to any fault of mine and responsability falls on unemployment office and system, I have confirmation numbers for everything. Just don’t know what to do?

        Reply
        • I am sorry this is happening to you.
          Have you tried the online form under contact us?
          I had my claim in question since March. Got through to phones finally in May and again in September and was escalated and told both times to wait 4 weeks for call back. If I didn’t hear to call back again. That never happened.
          In September I filled out the online form under contact us on the uifile website and explained my issue.
          2 weeks ago I had all the weeks of back pay and the following weeks all the $600 back payments.
          Its certainly worth as shot as I didn’t think it would work but it did.
          Hoping you get this resolved soon

        • Hi Carla!
          I’m glad to here someone got there issues resolved. Can you please clarify where that firm is? Do you mean just the regular contact us firm?
          Thanks

    • Dont worry, you are good. I have chase and just got mine today. I returned to work in the end of sept and did not have to certify again that I was partially unemployed due to covid because i already had done so. Just give it until maybe wednesday.The site says payments being processed and may be that you will see your payment tomorrow or next week. Good luck.

      Reply
      • Do you mean that you did not have to certify extra to get the money? I went back to work Sept 1st but was out due to covid and certified that fact during July and August and the received a text from DOL stating to hit 1 if I was out of work due to covid. Will I still get the money?

        Reply
    • Hi George, I checked that box also when I went into claim status. I’m hoping it doesn’t make a difference. It’s Saturday and no deposit yet, I have PNC bank. I’m nervous. Let me know if you get your deposit.

      Reply
        • George, I did the same thing. I wonder if checking off the claim status box has something to do with us not receiving the LWA payment. I know for sure that I’m eligible, and was not asked to certify by any means.

        • Same. No email or text. No payment. It sucks. We had planned our bills around it this month. Hope I get answers soon.

        • Every time I tried to certify, the only box I could check in self service was to opt in for texts. Nothing else.

        • Update: As of Friday Oct 30, I did receive my payment. Was shocked to see it so late, but mostly relieved. I pray you all get yours sorted soon!!!

      • Same with me, it was actually my fault not missed the email that I have to certify benefits before 5pm October 16. But got a text saturday Night so I still followed what I have to do. But nothing in my account yet.

        Reply
    • Hi George
      I did not get an email or text either. And still no payment from Chase as yet. I submitted an online query but who knows if they will ever answer.
      Please let us know any update on your end.
      Thanks
      Sabita

      Reply
    • this is what i thought if we applied and said it was covid 19 related we dont have to do anything so now we will not get it i still have nothing in my account this is crazy if we are appoved under PUA that should mean pandemic related and my god i finally got a hold of someone on Friday about my loss wage claim as they had my claim all messed up!!

      Reply
    • I have emailed the NJDOL many times and have received no responses and when you call the response is, due to record levels of demand and overwhelming calls all lines are busy, please call back on the next business day. I have also emailed NJ Governor Phil Murphy at least 4 times and also our state representatives and have only received back 2 emails, thanking me for communicating with them. Absolutely no response on my questions and concerns over the payout of LWA in New Jersey. This governor has a major failure on his back here in our state. It’s a disgrace that he failed to file for this program in the beginning and waited till the last week to apply for these FEMA funds for the state of NJ.

      Reply
      • Hi Donna
        I agree it’s a total disgrace. What is wrong with these people. Waiting for the very last week to apply and then last state to disperse the funds. And even that they can’t do it properly. So many of us who are unemployed and qualified still can’t get the money. They told me that my name was not on the list but can’t tell me why.
        I live in NY but worked in NJ. So I spoke to NY Senate office today. They took my info and send to NJ Senate’s office. She said they will call or reach out to me. I will try to call them tomorrow and hope someone will pick up.
        I also never received any mail, text or phone to do anything. I certify every week and yet they have the audacity to tell me I am not on the list.
        They have no shame or regards for us.

        Reply
      • I got through yesterday. They said process is very slow and they are going out in small batches. It could take another 2 weeks ☹️ I called the Vineland # and got through. Took me two days but they did say I would get it. They can see that. I guess we just have to be patient. Best of luck.

        Reply
  29. I bank at TD and I only received $300.00. Why did some people get the full $1800.00? I have been furloughed one week a month since May and stopped receiving the extra $600.00 in July.

    Reply
    • Zero still. I have Wells Fargo also.

      Happy tho for everyone posting they got it today!!! Hopefully mine will Be soon.
      #Broke#Sickandtiredof Waiting

      Reply
      • I have Wells Fargo too and nothing… I wish we could get clarification if we are getting it… I did receive email and certified but no money.

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      • Does anyone have BoA prepaid debit card that did not receive the 1800 yet? I didn’t get mine and I am nervous.

        Reply
        • Yes me too! But they will be paying out from oct 22 till oct 26 after that its a wrap! But if they didnt start paying out until the 22nd then it going according to schedule how they do like with regular unemployment…i file on tuesdays but get check on thurdays ….every other bank etc have their on way

        • My mom has boa and she didn’t receive hers yet either. She called number on back of her card they said she didn’t have any pending transactions. They said they have up to the 26th so fingers crossed both of you get it monday or tuesday. I also seen a lady say she called the dol, and they said some will be processed tomorrow as well so you can have it by monday or tuesday

        • I have boa prepaid card and did not receive anything and I do qualify boa said they g hv ave no information and transfer you to unemployment who disconnects you

      • It’s possible that you weren’t unemployed between the weeks of August 1st and September 5th. If you were only unemployed for one of those weeks then that would explain why you only received $300 (1 week of LWA)

        Reply
      • My girlfriend only got half her money.she is part of a NJ unemployment Facebook group. She’s been talking to the moderator who has a contact in DOL. They were advised there was a coding error and many people got less than what they were supposed to. Supposedly they are working on the problem but no timeframe given when it will be fixed. I wish someone would officially confirm this and put out a release. Many people are waiting for this money.

        Reply
      • Keep calling. Hang up when it says they can’t take you’re call due to call volume. Keep
        Doing that over and over. Eventually it will say please hold. Don’t hang up. Someone will answer. I did this the other day and it only took me 10 minutes to finally get through. I called 732-761-2021. Hope this helps

        Reply
      • Same here, however I was never able to certify via the email. Called NJUE out of state # today (I’m now in Delaware) and got through to a 5 minute wait time. After 20 minutes I was told the wait was 6 minutes. Then I left my # for call back after being told I would not lose my place in line, the number was electronically confirmed back to me. 3 hours later…nada

        Reply
  30. Good morning everyone my money came in 2:30am i bank with Citibank incase those who bank with them wanna know if they received the payments. Hope everyone got through…..

    Reply
  31. As of 2:56 am wells fargo account holder 1800 has been officially deposited thank God. Hope everyone else gets theirs today also

    Reply
      • I have a $300 pending in my bank acct. This may be all I’m getting though because they froze my acct for some still I unknown reason having to do with being self-employed (or so I was told by a rep this week and still waiting for an email or call to clarify as well as regained back retro).

        Reply
      • I do. Still waiting. I am nervous because I returned to work September 15. So I have not been claiming since then but I was on unemployment since April so I am entitled to the lwa. Did you ever receive an email. I didn’t.

        Reply
  32. 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.

    Reply
  33. Hi there does anyone know why some are receiving 1800. And others 900.
    My daughter only received 900 so just wondering why?

    Reply
  34. I was kinda proud of how New Jersey government had been handling the pandemic…..up until this fiasco of this Fema financial distribution. All it takes is one big f*ck up, to ruin a bunch of attaboys (attagirls, and attatheys, themself) , and indeed they F’d it up.

    Reply
    • Hi all!! It is 1:30 AM on Friday and it has CLEARED in my account!!!!! I use Ally bank. Everyone check your accounts!!!! Xoxo

      Reply
    • Yous better take it all back! Lol Murphy and em been good to us (now since we finally got paid) wait til the money is gone and come back with the rest of us to talk bad any New Jersey lol!

      Reply
  35. mine arrived. i had to login to boa websit it wont appear on the app yet but the pending deposit for 1800 there. i wouldent lie about this i have better things to do trust.

    Reply
  36. As of 2 am this morning I have 2 pending deposits, my normal unemployment and the 1800$ lwa payment. Both have tomorrows date so I’ll be getting both deposits around 2 am tomorrow!

    Reply
  37. People that are going back and forth over the BOA deposits should understand that the prepaid cards and regular accounts ARE NOT THE SAME THING. Regular BOA accounts never have shown any pending deposits. It’s not a function on the desktop site, mobile site or app. You just need to wait until it posts. The BOA reps can’t see anything either, so you’re wasting time by calling them. Hopefully, it’ll post by sometime tonight and all get on with life.

    Reply

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