As soon as next month, New Jerseyans might be able to make their own appointments for in-person visits to unemployment offices to deal with problems getting benefits.
With May quarterly payments in the bank, the state was able to temporarily pay down its unemployment borrowing. It won't' be fully solvent until mid-2024.
At an often-tense hearing in the Senate Thursday, the state labor commissioner defended his office’s handling of jobless claims during the pandemic and cast doubt on how many people will want in-person help at unemployment offices once that starts up in late March.
Unemployed workers aren't required to be looking for work during the pandemic – but they must still certify they're ready, willing, and available to work.
New Jersey has distributed more than $34B in unemployment benefits to more than 2 million residents. The vast majority of claims have been resolved but some require hands-on attention.
A week after the state Labor Department started taking complaints, officials have received nearly 380 reports of workplace violations of the governor's executive order.