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!WHEN ASKING A QUESTION POST YOUR LOCATION OR OTHERS WILL BE UNABLE TO ASSIST!

You are eligible for the $600 weekly FPUC payment if you are on any sort of unemployment, including PUA and partial unemployment. This is available for claims dated 3/28/20-7/31/20. The federal supplement does not affect eligibility for Medicaid and CHIP. It does affect SNAP and TANF.

If you filed for UI more than a week after your layoff date, you are eligible for backpay.

The obligatory waiting week has been waived, so your claim will process with a date a week earlier than what you apply for, to account for the waiting week waiver.

NY
There is a streamlined application process so that all applicants complete the same form, regardless of which program they'll eventually be eligible for.
PUA:
Unemployment for the self-employed. Acceptable proof of income includes prior year tax returns, 1099, P&L, bank statements and more. You will most likely be approved for standard UI even if you're an independent contractor, if you had W2 employment within the last 18 months.
If you are assigned the minimum rate of $182 when it should be higher based on your income, complete this form, fax it in, then send it again via the message center (Subject1: "Benefit Rate and Monetary Determination" Subject2: "Some of my wages are missing or incorrect") so that they definitely got it. Your rate should be adjusted in less than a week. You are also entitled to get your updated rate on all prior weeks.
You are also eligible for PUA if you landed a job but where unable to start due to the pandemic. You need an employment offer that was then rescinded to prove this.
PUA is available for a total of 46 weeks from 02/02/20-12/31/20.
Partial UI:
You can apply for partial UI if you're working 3 days or less, and earning $504/weekly or less. The DOL deducts 25% of your base rate for every day that you work. (You receive 100% of your rate if you don't work at all, 75% if you work 1 day, 50% if you work 2 days, and 25% if you work 3 days).
PEUC:
For those on regular unemployment- you will receive an additional 13 weeks of benefits after you've exhausted your initial 26 weeks. This benefit is available through 12/31/20.
Extended Benefits:
For those on regular unemployment- you will receive an additional 20 weeks of benefits after you've exhausted your initial 26 weeks and your PEUC weeks. This makes for a total of 59 weeks that you can possible receive unemployment benefits. This benefit is available as long as the state's unemployment rate is high.
Requesting Backpay:
The NY DOL is using Docusign to allow claimants to file backpay. You should receive an email from the DOL with instructions. The email subject is "Action Required - NYS DOL Certification for Back Week Payments". This might end up in your spam folder, so be sure to check that as well.
If you don't receive this email or you don't want to wait, call the NY DOL and speak to an agent to certify for backpay over the phone.
It takes a little less than a week from when you complete backdated certifications until your claims are processed and funds are released.
$0 Benefit Determination:
Email @cgr for instructions on a fix for this issue

You can email @cgr at chaiplus1@gmail.com for help with any unemployment questions.


NJ
Apply here.
PUA:
Unemployment for the self-employed. Acceptable proof of income includes prior year tax returns, 1099, P&L, bank statements and more. You will most likely be approved for standard UI even if you're an independent contractor, if you had W2 employment within the last 18 months.
At this point it looks like claimants are still being given $231- the minimum PUA rate- regardless of prior income.
You are also eligible for PUA if you landed a job but where unable to start due to the pandemic. You need an employment offer that was then rescinded to prove this.
PUA is available for a total of 46 weeks from 02/02/20-12/31/20.
Partial UI:
You can apply for partial UI if your hours have been reduced by 20% or more. You'll be allowed to earn an additional 20% above your rate determination. Your earnings will then be deducted from your rate, and you'll receive the balance as your UI payment.
PEUC:
For those on regular unemployment- you will receive an additional 13 weeks of benefits after you've exhausted your initial 26 weeks. This benefit is available through 12/31/20.
Extended Benefits:
For those on regular unemployment- you will receive an additional 20 weeks of benefits after you've exhausted your initial 26 weeks and your PEUC weeks. This makes for a total of 59 weeks that you can possible receive unemployment benefits. This benefit is available as long as the state's unemployment rate is high.
Requesting Backpay:
You can request backpay if you are lucky enough to get through to an agent.

Here is a guide for NJ residents from the LRRC.
« Last edited by cgr on November 27, 2020, 09:48:37 AM »

Author Topic: Unemployment Help  (Read 477499 times)

Offline cgr

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Re: Unemployment Help
« Reply #2100 on: July 01, 2020, 04:30:58 PM »
"The family leave program is financed 100% by worker payroll deductions. Employers do not contribute to the program."

Doesn't that preclude self-employed (since they don't have payroll deductions)?

Hmmm, it would seem so.
Might still be worth a phone call to see if they have any bridge between this and PUA.

Offline nafnaf12

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Re: Unemployment Help
« Reply #2101 on: July 01, 2020, 05:57:49 PM »
You can only be on one program- either UI or PUA. Since you have a history of W2 employment, you'll automatically be placed on UI. It's possible that once your determination comes in you'll be able to add your 1099 income to increase your WBR, although in NJ not many have been successful.


You'll need to talk to an agent to discuss your situation. Since you always work from IL, it might make you less eligible when you're in the states. I do think that you should be able to claim for one of the periods (either when you're in the states or when you're not), and perhaps even for both.
If your employer paid SUTA taxes on your W2 wages, you might have an easier time substantiating your claim. Your claim will be based on those wages anyway and will only include the 1099 income if you have them add it in after the fact.


Claims are generally filed in the state of employment, not "residence".
Thanks.

The W-2 was while working in the NY, the 1099 is from the NJ "employer"
So I would think I have to file with NY.

Also the out of country filing applies to W-2 only (since the paid the SUTA) or would 1099 work too?
A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.

Offline cgr

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Re: Unemployment Help
« Reply #2102 on: July 01, 2020, 06:49:04 PM »
Thanks.

The W-2 was while working in the NY, the 1099 is from the NJ "employer"
So I would think I have to file with NY.

Also the out of country filing applies to W-2 only (since the paid the SUTA) or would 1099 work too?
Yes, you should probably file with NY.
The question if you're eligible applies to both and you need to get permission, but I'm close to certain that if your employer paid SUTA on those W2 wages, you'll have no problem getting approval. Once you have approval you can just fax in a Reconsideration Form to have the 1099 income added to raise your Benefit Rate. (This is 99.99% successful in NY- another plus to filing in that state over NJ).

Offline Pupashtetl

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Re: Unemployment Help
« Reply #2103 on: July 02, 2020, 10:15:47 AM »
Anyone had luck getting through to a live agent in New York?

Also, any update on NJ Backpay?

Offline YitzyS

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Re: Unemployment Help
« Reply #2104 on: July 02, 2020, 11:42:32 AM »
Just got through to NJ DOL!

"wait time 38 minutes"

732-761-2021
Just got through on the same number, with the same estimated wait time. I'll update iyH with what they say later.

Offline YitzyS

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Re: Unemployment Help
« Reply #2105 on: July 02, 2020, 12:29:22 PM »
Just got through on the same number, with the same estimated wait time. I'll update iyH with what they say later.
Waited 35 minutes. I asked to have my WBR adjusted, but worker said that she has no power to make any changes, and she cannot even put me on a list for a callback. She said I should file an appeal, to which I responded that I did months ago. She said that she cannot do anything about appeals.

I then asked her point blank - "I'm not trying to be rude, but are you telling me that your job is just to provide information and help people filling out their forms?" She said, "Yes."

I immediately called the Governor's office - but the mailbox is full. I then called Chris Smith's Washington Office (no answer in Lakewood) and told this over to the guy who answered the phone. He took down my contact info and said he'll refer it to a caseworker in the area.

Offline YitzyS

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Re: Unemployment Help
« Reply #2106 on: July 02, 2020, 12:30:15 PM »
Waited 35 minutes. I asked to have my WBR adjusted, but worker said that she has no power to make any changes, and she cannot even put me on a list for a callback. She said I should file an appeal, to which I responded that I did months ago. She said that she cannot do anything about appeals.

I then asked her point blank - "I'm not trying to be rude, but are you telling me that your job is just to provide information and help people filling out their forms?" She said, "Yes."

I immediately called the Governor's office - but the mailbox is full. I then called Chris Smith's Washington Office (no answer in Lakewood) and told this over to the guy who answered the phone. He took down my contact info and said he'll refer it to a caseworker in the area.
Who should I call? APP? Star Leger? Or should I try to go national?

Offline YitzyS

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Re: Unemployment Help
« Reply #2107 on: July 02, 2020, 12:31:44 PM »
Who should I call? APP? Star Leger? Or should I try to go national?
I even read her this, but she said that she has no power.

Offline Jellybelly

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Re: Unemployment Help
« Reply #2108 on: July 02, 2020, 12:33:34 PM »
Who should I call? APP? Star Leger? Or should I try to go national?
Why stop there? Go international!

Offline davidd75

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Re: Unemployment Help
« Reply #2109 on: July 02, 2020, 12:33:52 PM »
2) no. You must receive at least $1 in UI benefits to trigger the $600 payment.

if one started to work again in NJ do they have the option keep certifying and declaring their wages earned or do they have to stop logging in to certify?

Offline YitzyS

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Re: Unemployment Help
« Reply #2110 on: July 02, 2020, 12:36:53 PM »
Why stop there? Go international!
You have connections?

Offline YitzyS

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Re: Unemployment Help
« Reply #2111 on: July 02, 2020, 12:38:04 PM »
Who should I call? APP? Star Leger? Or should I try to go national?
I'm waiting for @cgr 's take on this before I start reaching out to reporters.

Offline cgr

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Re: Unemployment Help
« Reply #2112 on: July 02, 2020, 12:44:54 PM »
Who should I call? APP? Star Leger? Or should I try to go national?

I'm waiting for @cgr 's take on this before I start reaching out to reporters.

I don't think I'm qualified to say anything about this, but if you're looking to help yourself only it's enough if you make a commotion with your elected officials. If you're looking to see a change in the NJ DOL in general, you'll need to take this national. I don't think a local paper reporting this will have much impact- they know exactly how bad things are, and I doubt the NJ DOL will feel offended when a NJ paper is the one reporting on it.

Offline skv

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Re: Unemployment Help
« Reply #2113 on: July 02, 2020, 12:50:15 PM »
Waited 35 minutes. I asked to have my WBR adjusted, but worker said that she has no power to make any changes, and she cannot even put me on a list for a callback. She said I should file an appeal, to which I responded that I did months ago. She said that she cannot do anything about appeals.

I then asked her point blank - "I'm not trying to be rude, but are you telling me that your job is just to provide information and help people filling out their forms?" She said, "Yes."

I immediately called the Governor's office - but the mailbox is full. I then called Chris Smith's Washington Office (no answer in Lakewood) and told this over to the guy who answered the phone. He took down my contact info and said he'll refer it to a caseworker in the area.

Call again. I called, and so did two of my friends. We were all told that it was being sent to a specialist and would get a call back within a week.

Offline YitzyS

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Re: Unemployment Help
« Reply #2114 on: July 02, 2020, 12:58:17 PM »
I don't think I'm qualified to say anything about this, but if you're looking to help yourself only it's enough if you make a commotion with your elected officials. If you're looking to see a change in the NJ DOL in general, you'll need to take this national. I don't think a local paper reporting this will have much impact- they know exactly how bad things are, and I doubt the NJ DOL will feel offended when a NJ paper is the one reporting on it.
Gov. Murphy need NJ votes, and the Star Leger - the state's biggest paper - has a big impact generally. There is also a much bigger chance that they will take the story on.

Offline cgr

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Re: Unemployment Help
« Reply #2115 on: July 02, 2020, 01:02:03 PM »
Gov. Murphy need NJ votes, and the Star Leger - the state's biggest paper - has a big impact generally. There is also a much bigger chance that they will take the story on.

Then go for it.
Again, I'm not qualified to say much about this... I'm definitely no public relations expert.

Offline YitzyS

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Re: Unemployment Help
« Reply #2116 on: July 02, 2020, 01:04:53 PM »
Then go for it.
Again, I'm not qualified to say much about this... I'm definitely no public relations expert.
My question is whether I am missing something here. To me, directing people to call a number, and then they spend hours trying to get through only to be told that NOBODY can help them - even though the website says that they are supposed to call to get help - that is a scandal.

Offline YitzyS

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Re: Unemployment Help
« Reply #2117 on: July 02, 2020, 01:06:31 PM »
This is the message I hastly sent to a Star Leger (which is also NJ.com) reporter who usually covers Murphy's press conferences:

I have a question for Gov. Murphy, and would love if you can ask it to him: I know tens of unemployed NJ residents who have had issues with the state's Unemployment Insurance website, and have had no luck getting through to the call center. Appeals filed have not been answered, even though the 4-week timeframe for responses has long passed. There are thousands of NJ residents suffering economically and cannot access the benefits they rightfully deserve. It's more than 3 months into this pandemic - what has the governor done to address this? Why is the state's Unemployment system still impossible to contact?

Offline davidd75

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Re: Unemployment Help
« Reply #2118 on: July 02, 2020, 01:11:04 PM »
if one started to work again in NJ do they have the option keep certifying and declaring their wages earned or do they have to stop logging in to certify?

does anyone know the answer to this?

Offline cgr

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Re: Unemployment Help
« Reply #2119 on: July 02, 2020, 01:17:16 PM »
My question is whether I am missing something here. To me, directing people to call a number, and then they spend hours trying to get through only to be told that NOBODY can help them - even though the website says that they are supposed to call to get help - that is a scandal.

I don't think you're missing anything. It's probably similar to the situation in NY where they finally got a handle on the crisis by hiring 100s of new agents, but good luck finding one who actually knows what's going on. From a practical standpoint there's no way to ramp up from 0 to 60 and get the proper training and knowledge across as well.