• You are not eligible for a new regular unemployment insurance claim;
  
  
• You filed a new unemployment insurance claim dated May 7, 2006 or later; 
  
  
• You exhausted your unemployment insurance benefits or the benefit year on your claim has expired; and
  
  
• Your had 20 base weeks or more (gross earnings of $143 or more per week) or you had earnings of at least 40 times the weekly benefit rate in your base year.
  
  

If you meet the eligibility criteria for EUC Tier I benefits, you may be eligible for a maximum benefit amount of 20 times the weekly benefit rate on your regular unemployment claim or 80% of the maximum benefit amount on that claim, whichever amount is less.

If you are currently collecting regular unemployment insurance benefits and you are close to exhausting these benefits you do not need to take any action to file for EUC Tier benefits.  When your last unemployment insurance payment is issued and your regular claim is exhausted an EUC Tier I claim will automatically be filed on your behalf.  If you are eligible a determination, along with instructions on how and when to claim your benefits, will be mailed to you.

Notice: NJLWD verifies legal alien status and work authorization against the US Citizenship and Naturalization records.  NJLWD also verifies employment status against the National and State New Hires data records.

 
Below are questions and answers relating to the EUC Tier I Program.

What is a base week or base year?

For more information on base week or base year, click here.

What is the EUC Tier Program?

The EUC Tier I Program provides up to 20 weeks of emergency unemployment compensation, or 80% of the maximum benefit allowance on the most recent regular claim, whichever is less, to claimants who have exhausted eligibility for regular unemployment benefits (including Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees, Ex-Servicepersons and Combined Wage Claims).

Who is eligible for EUC Tier I benefits?

The EUC extension applies to claimants:

• Whose regular unemployment insurance benefits are exhausted or whose benefit year has expired;
  
  
• Who are not eligible for a new regular unemployment insurance claim against New Jersey or any other state;
  
  
• Who filed a New Jersey claim dated May 7, 2006 or later; and
  
  
• Who have 20 base weeks in base year or base earnings of at least 40 times the weekly benefit rate in the UI claim base year.
  
  

Am I eligible for EUC benefits if I had a disqualification on my claim while receiving regular benefits:

If you had a prior disqualification on your claim for benefits, the disqualification remains in effect until you meet the requalification requirements.

What is the weekly benefit rate?

Benefits are payable at the same weekly rate as you received on the UI claim upon which the EUC claim is based.

For what period are EUC Tier I benefits payable?

The first week for which EUC Tier I benefits were paid was the week ending July 12, 2008.  No EUC Tier I benefits can be paid for any period after week ending June 5, 2010.

What happens if EUC ends and I still have money available?

According to Federal law EUC benefits cannot be paid after June 5, 2010.

What should I do if I have not received a notice of potential eligibility and I exhausted my regular unemployment insurance claim?

Your EUC Tier I claim is filed automatically after you have exhausted your regular unemployment insurance claim.  You will receive a notice of potential eligibility within ten (10) days after your last unemployment check.  If you do not receive your notice, contact your nearest Reemployment Call Center (RCC).  RCC agents will assist you in filing the claim for which you are entitled.  When you call, be sure to have available your Social Security Number and the complete name and address of each employer that you worked for in the past 18 months.

                    Central            (732) 761-2020
                    North               (201) 601-4100
                    South              (856) 507-2340

Are EUC benefits taxable?

Yes, EUC benefits are taxable.  The amount of EUC benefits paid in 2008 will be included with the amount of regular unemployment insurance benefits on Form 1099-G that will be mailed at the end of January 2009.  EUC paid in 2009 will be included on the 1099-G mailed in January 2010.  However, in February 2009, new legislation allows the first $2400 of unemployment benefits paid in 2009 to be claimed as tax-free through the IRS when you file your 2009 tax return.

What do I do if I have not received Form 1099-G?

If you have not received the form contact your Reemployment Call Center (RCC) to request a duplicate copy.  Duplicate copies are printed on the weekends, so the form should be received the week after you make the request.  However, you do not need to wait for the actual form to file your income tax.  You can call our automated information system for the total amount of benefits paid to you during a particular tax year.  Click here for list of telephone numbers to call our automated information system.

Can I choose to collect EUC Tier I benefits instead of filing a new regular unemployment insurance claim?

No.  EUC Tier I benefits are payable only after you exhaust all regular benefits.  If you qualify for a new regular unemployment insurance benefits claim against New Jersey or another state, you must file that unemployment insurance benefits claim.  When you exhaust that claim, you may be eligible to file for EUC Tier I benefits if the program is still in effect.

What can I do if I disagree with the notice of eligibility or ineligibility for EUC benefits?

The notice will include appeal rights and instructions on how to file an appeal in writing.  For further information on filing an appeal, click here.

I recently received my last check for EUC Tier I benefits.  Are there any other extensions or benefits available to me?

Yes.  Legislation was signed on November 21, 2008, establishing a second federal-funded extension when New Jersey's unemployment rate averaged 6.0% for the three-month period from September 2008 to November 2008.  EUC Tier II is effective beginning January 4, 2009, providing up to an additional 13 weeks or 50% of your Maximum Benefit Amount (MBA), whichever amount is less.  You must exhaust all EUC Tier I benefits before an EUC Tier II claim is filed on your behalf.  You do not need to apply for EUC Tier II benefits as we will automatically file your EUC Tier II claim once you exhaust your EUC Tier I benefits.

I worked in New Jersey, but I now live in another state.  Can I receive EUC?

Yes, before accepting an initial EUC claim, the NJ agent must review your wages for any other potential filing options including a Combined Wage Claim (CWC).  If no other option exists, the agent will process your EUC claim application. 

I have an outstanding overpayment debt established when I collected regular New Jersey UI.  May I collect EUC benefits?

Yes, you may file for EUC benefits.  However, EUC benefits may be used to offset your UI debt, depending on the type of refund.

When I collected regular UI benefits, they were garnished to pay for child support.  Is this the case with EUC benefits?

Yes, a garnishment will still be made from your EUC benefits.


Enrolled in TRA training

When can I claim TRA?

Individuals eligible for Trade Readjustment Allowances (TRA) must first file and collect EUC benefits before TRA benefits can be paid.  TRA payments may not be made until all regular and EUC benefits are exhausted.  Should any other benefit extension be in effect those benefits must also be exhausted before collecting TRA.

What if I am receiving benefits under the Trade Act (TRA)?

You must first receive EUC benefits.  TRA benefit payments will stop once you become eligible for EUC.  After all EUC benefits are exhausted, you may claim your TRA benefits again.

Can I choose to collect TRA benefits before filing a EUC claim?

No.  TRA benefits can be paid only after all regular and EUC benefits are exhausted.  Should any other benefit extensions be in effect those benefits must be exhausted before collecting TRA.

When EUC benefits exhaust, how do I claim TRA training benefits?

When your EUC benefits are exhausted, you should report to the One-Stop Career Center to file or reopen your TRA claim if you still meet TRA eligibility requirements.  Ask for either the Unemployment Insurance representative or your TRA counselor.  Once the TRA claim is activated or reactivated, a TRA monetary determination will be issued.   

Will EUC benefits affect the amount of my TRA benefits?

The receipt of EUC benefits will reduce your TRA benefits.  Federal law requires that the additional weeks of paid EUC benefits must be deducted from the TRA claim if the EUC claim is filed against the same regular unemployment insurance claim as the TRA claim.  The TRA Unit will advise you of your TRA claim balance when you activate the TRA claim.


Enrolled in approved training and pre-approved for Additional Benefits during Training (ABT)

What if I am receiving Additional Benefits during Training (ABT) under the Workforce Development Program?

You must first receive EUC benefits.  After EUC benefits are exhausted, if you are still in training, you may receive ABT again.

I am still collecting regular unemployment benefits.  If I am still in training, what claim do I file when my unemployment benefits exhaust?

You must file for EUC benefits before you file for ABT benefits.  When you exhaust your regular unemployment insurance benefits, your EUC claim is automatically filed.  You will receive instructions to claim EUC benefits by Internet or telephone.  When EUC benefits are exhausted, if you are still in approved training, you then can file an ABT claim.  An ABT claim form will be sent to you at that time.

I am currently collecting ABT benefits.  How does the EUC program affect me?

EUC benefits must be paid before further ABT benefits are paid.  No ABT benefits will be paid after July 6, 2008 until your EUC benefits are exhausted.  When your EUC benefits are exhausted, you will receive a form and instructions for reopening the ABT claim if you are still in the approved training program.  If you receive ABT benefits for weeks that should have been paid as EUC benefits, an adjustment will be made on both claims.  The weeks paid as ABT will be transferred to the EUC claim.  You will be notified by mail if this adjustment is required.

Will the EUC benefits affect the amount in my ABT claim?

No.  The payment of EUC benefits does not reduce the maximum benefit amount of your ABT claim.


Enrolled in Entrepreneurial Training Program

I am currently enrolled in entrepreneurial training through the Entrepreneurial Training Program for the Unemployed (ETPU) and I exhausted my ETPU allowances.  Do I qualify for EUC benefits?

You are not eligible for EUC benefits if you are enrolled full-time in ETPU activities.  However, if you become available for regular employment, you should call your Reemployment Call Center to file an EUC claim and contact your local One-Stop Career Center to advise them of the change in your ETPU status.

                    North              (732) 761-2020
                    Central           (201) 601-4100
                    South             (856) 507-2340

I participated in ETPU and I received all of my allowances.  I am now actively seeking regular employment because I am no longer involved in self-employment activities.  Am I eligible for EUC benefits?

Yes, you are eligible for EUC benefits; however, the same laws that apply for receiving regular unemployment insurance benefits apply for receiving EUC benefits.  To receive EUC benefits, an individual must discontinue participation in the ETPU program and must be able and available for work and actively searching for regular employment.

Employer

I am an employer.  How does EUC affect my experience rating and benefit charges?

EUC will not affect your experience rating or benefit charges.  It is 100% federally-funded.  If you are a reimbursable employer, you will not be billed.