Reason for Unemployment

• New Jersey unemployment compensation law states that unemployment benefits can be paid only if you become unemployed by no fault of your own. You may be indefinitely disqualified from collecting benefits if you voluntarily quit a job without good cause or if you voluntarily retire. You can lift this disqualification through returning to the job for a certain period and then becoming unemployed again through no fault of your own. If you were discharged for misconduct connected with work, you are disqualified for the week that the misconduct took place plus five additional weeks. If you are in a labor dispute, you cannot collect benefits during the duration of the dispute.
  
  

Base Year Requirements

• The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development states that you must have worked 20 weeks in covered employment in your base year or you earned $7,300 in that period in order to collect unemployment benefits. Covered employment refers to services performed by a worker that is subject to the New Jersey unemployment compensation law. The base year is a 52-week period that is based on the date of your claim. It is typically the first four calendar quarters of the last five completed calendar quarters. You must have earned a minimum dollar figure for each week worked during this period. In 2010 this minimum figure was $145 per week. There are alternate plans that may come into effect if you did not meet this 20-week requirement. The department will look at the previous 18 months and make a determination about eligibility.
  
  

Weekly Benefit Rate

• The weekly benefit rate is the amount of compensation you receive per week. It is 60 percent of your average weekly wage during your base year. There is a maximum amount that may change each year. For 2011, this maximum is $598 per week. If you do not receive the maximum amount then it can be augmented through dependency benefits. You can receive 7 percent extra for a first dependent and 4 percent more for each of the next two dependents. You must provide proof of dependents within six weeks of starting the claim. If no proof is provided, you will not receive any dependency benefits.
  
  

Maximum Benefit Amount

• The maximum benefit amount is the total amount of benefits a claimant may collect. It is calculated by multiplying the weekly benefit rate by the number of weeks worked during the base period. This amount cannot exceed 26 weeks. If you have returned to work before reaching your maximum benefit amount but then you become unemployed once more you may reopen your claim provided that a year has not lapsed since you started your original claim. If more than a year has lapsed, you have to make a new claim. While collecting benefits you must be actively seeking work and make at least three employer contacts a week.
  
  

Re-employment Orientation

• As part of New Jersey's unemployment program, you may be required to attend a re-employment orientation meeting. At this group meeting you will receive a presentation on available services and training opportunities. This includes career counseling, training in demand occupations and veterans benefits. You will be provided with the free use of equipment that will assist you in your job search. If you fail to attend this meeting, you may have your benefits delayed or denied. This condition also applies to any scheduled meetings that you may have with employment counselors.