Unemployment

[LS1Hawk]

I just got laid off last Thursday and filed for unemployment on Saturday. They didn't tell me much on the phone, just said I'll be getting some packet in the mail shortly. I have never been on unemployment before so I'm wondering how this all works in NJ.

I'm not the type that wants to sit home all day and would much rather be working. If I get a part-time job while looking for a full-time job in my field will I still get unemployment checks? Do they make you call somewhere each week and let them know how many hours you're working? I want to at least try to get some temp or freelance work while I'm looking.

[nj85z28]

be better off getting a cash job, or they give you next to nothing or nothing because your technically employed and they know it. Also it depends on how much you make but the max is 584 a week

[mc73nova]

Unemployment pays about 2/3's of your normal weekly check (thats how much I got). You can do it online also using njuifile.net. It is a fairly easy process, you might have to go to a one hour class, basically they tell you how to improve your chances of becoming reemployed. The paper work you will receive gives you a day to call for your unemployment benefits, they ask you eight questions and after you answer them, they will tell you how much you will be getting and what your balance is (your weekly rate and balance will also be on the paperwork you receive) It takes two days for the check to get to you, ie:if you call on Monday it comes on Wednesday.

I know all this because I have a seasonal job, I am not a professional bum!!

[LS1Hawk]

Originally Posted by mc73nova

The paper work you will receive gives you a day to call for your unemployment benefits, they ask you eight questions and after you answer them, they will tell you how much you will be getting and what your balance is...

Do you have to call this # every week? Is it an automated system that asks you the questions or do you speak to a live person? Do they ask if you found work? Also, when I find a full-time job and don't need the unemployment benefits anymore, do I just stop calling to claim the benefits? I know that's how it works in NY.

[mc73nova]

Originally Posted by LS1Hawk

Do you have to call this # every week? Is it an automated system that asks you the questions or do you speak to a live person? Do they ask if you found work? Also, when I find a full-time job and don't need the unemployment benefits anymore, do I just stop calling to claim the benefits? I know that's how it works in NY.

NY might be a little different. I know they pay a little less. You have to call every two weeks. It is an automated system, they ask you if you have been actively seeking work. If you find full time work on the books, you just stop calling.

[Teds89IROC]

sorry to hear John, I graduated in January but have been looking for a job related to my degree since October and no dice.

[DevilDougWS6]

i am on it right now. and they are a pain in the ass to deal with sometimes. you will probably have to wait the 6 weeks after you were let go to start collecting. during these six weeks you are going to use the automated system to "collect" but you will not receive checks until the end of 6 weeks. after that you collect every two weeks.

if you start a part time job they will just deduct what you make from that job from your unemployment checks.

[LS1Hawk]

I just got in the mail today a "Claim for Benefits" form. It shows the balance I am entitled to and it says to claim benefits on 3/11 for weeks ending 2/28 and 3/7. Do they always assign you a date to call in or do I just start calling every two weeks from 3/11?

[mc73nova]

The paperwork will always have the new date for you to call in the same place. It is usually exactly every two weeks.

[EchoMirage]

its alot easier to do online. make sure you have the names, addresses, numbers of every employer youve had in the past 18 months. since im union, i dont solicite my own work, and dont have to provide proof that im looking for a job. im not sure if they still make you do that anymore. i dont think so. they give you a specific date to call on. if youre not late, youll get the check in 2 days from that date. it usually take 2-3 weeks to get the first check, not 6. usually anyway, unless something is wrong.

[DevilDougWS6]

Originally Posted by EchoMirage

its alot easier to do online. make sure you have the names, addresses, numbers of every employer youve had in the past 18 months. since im union, i dont solicite my own work, and dont have to provide proof that im looking for a job. im not sure if they still make you do that anymore. i dont think so. they give you a specific date to call on. if youre not late, youll get the check in 2 days from that date. it usually take 2-3 weeks to get the first check, not 6. usually anyway, unless something is wrong.

when you first start unemployment, depending on how you left your job i believe, i think if you get fired you have a 6 week waiting period for your first check. not sure about laid off. my previous employer tried to screw me out of unemployment benefits by lying to them.

my employer told me that they had to let people go, but they told the state i was fired for other reasons like being late or some bull ****. so i had to wait.

[EchoMirage]

if youre fired, thats a different story. only if someone is being a complete prick will they list you as fired and screw up the unemployment. other then that, laid off or any reason other then fired (which is a question on the online application) should get you the checks after the 2 weeks and a 1 week waiting period. this goes for opening a new claim, not re-opening an existing one.

addition: you dont have to let them know when you start full time work again. theyll know. they know if you have a one hour discrepency in your application. if you just stop claiming weekly benefits, theyll stop sending them. you can let them know when you start work, and get the full or partial check of the week/weeks you didnt work. but since youd already be working and getting paid, you may want to leave it there, bank it again, on the chance youll be out of work sometime during that year.

[nj85z28]

i think nj has changed it up a bit. in the past you had to wait 2 weeks between checks. i got one last week for the first 2 weeks i was out and 1 this week already. and you can do direct deposit and apply online every time your supposed to call in. last time i was unemployed it was more annoying, but im enjoying the time off i guess

[LS1Hawk]

Originally Posted by EchoMirage

addition: you dont have to let them know when you start full time work again. theyll know. they know if you have a one hour discrepency in your application. if you just stop claiming weekly benefits, theyll stop sending them. you can let them know when you start work, and get the full or partial check of the week/weeks you didnt work. but since youd already be working and getting paid, you may want to leave it there, bank it again, on the chance youll be out of work sometime during that year.

So if you get a full-time job and stop claiming benefits, the remaining balance is available to you for the rest of the year should you get laid off again? Do they add to that balance from the recent employer that laid you off or do you have to open a new separate claim for that?

[EchoMirage]

i dont know the exact timeline they use, but if you only work a few months, you can re-open the same existing claim you had before you went to work. all that does is get you the money a little faster the first time. they dont add to the balance from the new employer. the claim you opened is considered locked. the new employer will have paid into a new claim, should you open it.

[CJDZ24_Z28]

Originally Posted by EchoMirage

its alot easier to do online. make sure you have the names, addresses, numbers of every employer youve had in the past 18 months. since im union, i dont solicite my own work, and dont have to provide proof that im looking for a job. im not sure if they still make you do that anymore. i dont think so. they give you a specific date to call on. if youre not late, youll get the check in 2 days from that date. it usually take 2-3 weeks to get the first check, not 6. usually anyway, unless something is wrong.

Same here, I'm in a Union and don't solicit my own work. I get the max unemployment. For example If you get a part time job you cannot make more than you unemployment amount you receive. Say you get $500.00 per week unemployment, and you make $375.00 a week part time you will get $125.00 from unemployment. Also unemployment is every 2 weeks. You can either call the number,mail in the form, or fill out your claim at www.njuifile.net