ASK DoL
By Leanne Rea
1. Are there any resources available for people who do not qualify for unemployment compensation?
Services including job search assistance, additional training and PSG counseling are available for those who do not qualify for unemployment compensation; however, no monetary benefits exist. For those seeking guidance and counseling, speak to your unemployment office.
2. When does the 20-week unemployment extension kick in?
For those who qualify, regular unemployment compensation is available for the first 26 weeks of unemployment. Any extensions are handled on a case-by-case basis but the first extension would occur at the end of the 26th week. Should an additional extension be needed, keep in mind that nothing supersedes the date of claim; therefore, a new claim must be filed by the claimant on or before the one-year anniversary of their original claim. For example, a claimant files an initial claim on January 16, 2011, and is granted an automatic extension after the first 26 weeks of unemployment. After receiving continual benefits throughout the year, the claimant is notified that their benefits have been exhausted during a routine bi-weekly Application for Continued Weekly Unemployment Benefits. Within two weeks, the claimant receives in December’s mail a Notice to Claimant of Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) Eligibility denoting the New Maximum Benefit Amount under EUC Tier II (your new individual unemployment compensation “bank”). Unemployment compensation continues automatically until the Date of Claim anniversary on January 16, 2012 when benefits are no longer available despite monies available in the EUC “bank”. Claimants must file a new claim by phone at which time a new monetary compensation may or may not be granted. As of January 2012, New Jersey is one of eight states that do not meet the criteria for extended benefits. Additional information on extended unemployment compensation may be found at http://jobsearch.about.com/od/unemployment/a/unempextension.htm