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Division of Unemployment Insurance

Answers to common questions about existing claims

Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions we get from claimants.

If you need more help, visit the pages linked from the "Additional information and resources" section.

1. My benefit year is ending. What should I do next?

It’s not a glitch, so do not open a new claim.

Here’s how it works:

WE REVIEW YOUR CLAIM. Your unemployment claim remains valid for one year from the date it is filed, unless you exhaust benefits sooner. Federal law requires a review for new wages after one year.*

IF YOU EARNED SUFFICIENT WAGES: If you earned at least $220/week for 20 or more weeks,or $11,000 total, during the base year, which is the first four of the prior five quarters before you filed your claim, a new claim will be filed on your behalf.

IF YOU DID NOT EARN SUFFICIENT WAGES: If you did not work during the base year, or your earnings did not meet the threshold, you will continue collecting benefits on your existing claim (as long as extended benefits remain available).

BENEFITS CONTINUE: Continue to certify for weekly benefits according to the latest schedule.

*Please be aware some claims will require manual review before processing.

Click the image below for a full-size PDF of the information above:

2. What does it mean if my claim is pending, or not payable at this time?

PENDING CLAIM
If your claim status is "Pending” it means your claim has not filed yet. Keep checking daily until it changes to "Filed." For claims that, per federal law, require agent intervention (a live claims examiner must process it instead of the computer system), this 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. Claims that don’t require agent intervention per federal law are processed more quickly.

CLAIM NOT PAYABLE AT THIS TIME - CONTACT THE REGIONAL CALL CENTER
This could mean one of a few things:

• Per federal law, we need more information to process your claim, or
• You did not properly certify for weekly benefits, or
• You have a federally-mandated scheduled “monetary” or “non-monetary” appointment to determine your eligibility. You do not need to contact the call center. You will receive more instructions (via email or mail) if we need to contact you to resolve these issues. If you have a telephone appointment scheduled, be sure to answer blocked or "unknown" calls, and answer the call when contacted, or the processing of your claim may be delayed further.

3. What if I see a message to contact the call center or speak to an agent?

Please check your claim status daily. While we review the details of your unemployment application, we have completed system updates that will allow many claims to be considered valid under the CARES Act. If you receive an email from e-Adjudication, you still must respond with the requested information.

If you have filed and received communication from “e-Adjudication” it means that, per federal law, we must collect additional information to determine your eligibility. Unfortunately, this process can take up to four weeks or longer, due to extremely high volume. In addition, if you have a “monetary” appointment scheduled with an unemployment staff person to clear up an issue with your claim, per federal law that appointment must be completed before your claim can be paid. Please note that the system automatically schedules appointments and some are initially dated for August or beyond, but these are being moved up so that you can receive help as soon as possible. If your appointment is being moved up, you will receive a notice. In general, if over a month has passed since you last received communication about your claim, then you should attempt to reach NJDOL over the phone.

If you received an error message during your weekly certification, you likely answered a question incorrectly which, per federal law, has suspended the claim and your ability to collect benefits. The process to resolve this can take up to four weeks. Please continue to try to certify weekly. If over four weeks has passed since you received a communication from NJDOL regarding this, then you should attempt to reach NJDOL over the phone.

4. My claim shows $0 in the WBR (weekly benefit rate) amount.

If your claim status is "Filed," with a zero ($0) amount in the Weekly Benefit Rate (WBR), we are still reviewing your claim. Some people with a $0 balance, such as those who are self-employed, per federal law, will receive benefits under the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program. Please check your email regularly for more information about what we may need to determine your eligibility for benefits.

5. How can I reset my PIN or password?

In order to reset your PIN for certifying for benefits, you will need to have your Claimant Identification No. (Claimant ID) available. Your Claimant ID can be found on notices you have already received from the Division, including "Unemployment Insurance Instructions & Appointment Notice" or "Unemployment Insurance Appointment Notice."

To request a new PIN, click here.

To reset your main online account password, click here.