Got this email from Congressman Chris Smith:
Dear Mr. *****,
Please know that I am doing everything I possibly can to help you obtain unemployment benefits from the State of New Jersey’s Department of Labor (NJDOL).
I sincerely regret that the State’s application and review process has made a bad situation, significantly worse.
Losing your job due to no fault of your own during the pandemic has been exacerbated by the State’s bureaucratic delays, unclear responses to my questions on your behalf and, in many cases, no response at all.
Now the Murphy Administration has announced a new misguided process that restricts me and other legislators from raising timely questions.
Such a policy is unprecedented, unfair and unwise—and I have expressed my objections to the Governor in the attached letter.
Shockingly, the Murphy Administration is limiting me, and other elected representatives, to just a mere handful of inquiries per week—just 13—regardless of how many people reach out for desperately needed assistance.
I’ve never seen anything like it. At the Governor’s new restricted inquiry rate, it will take over a year just to have NJDOL review the most serious cases I have already brought to their attention.
For the past 12 months, my staff and I have advocated and worked tirelessly to help people who have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic—including and especially those who have lost their jobs. To date, I have helped over 850 get positive results and the unemployment benefits they deserve.
But it has not been without setbacks.
As you know, the Murphy Administration is vested with the legal responsibility of managing and distributing all unemployment funds appropriated by Congress for New Jersey residents.
Over the past year, I have reached out to both Governor Murphy and New Jersey Commissioner of Labor Robert Asaro-Angelo, who oversees the unemployment program, asking them to reform a broken system. I have spoken directly to Commissioner Asaro-Angelo on several occasions.
I will continue to press the Governor and Commissioner and will work unceasingly until all those entitled to unemployment compensation get their checks.
Should you hear from the NJDOL directly, please keep me apprised of any developments with your claim, and I will do the same. If you are facing eviction or receiving utility shut-off notices, send me that information as well. Added proof of your financial hardship may help me get NJDOL to expedite the review of your case.
Sincerely,
CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH
Member of Congress