New Jersey Awarded Over $11 Million Federal Grant to Enhance Unemployment Systems

Federal funding aims to streamline claims process, offer real-time status checks, and boost user experience for New Jersey unemployment claimants.

The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) has secured an $11.25 million federal grant to bolster improvements to its Unemployment Insurance (UI) systems, including a "check your claim status" feature designed to expedite benefit payments.

NJDOL has been granted the maximum award amount of $11,250,000 by the U.S. Department of Labor, as part of an initiative to enhance user experience and expedite claim processing. This federal backing will enable the Department to roll out user-friendly features aimed at resolving initial application, weekly certification, and identity verification issues online.

Addressing Delays in Claims

"Looking at the data, a majority of delayed claims get held up toward the beginning of the process," Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo said. "We identified the most common pieces keeping claims from moving forward, and we created tools to help claimants and our agents reach a resolution quicker so workers can get all the benefits they’re due in a more timely manner.”

Adjudication and Claims

The adjudication process, a federally mandated step, often necessitates additional information to confirm eligibility for benefits. Through the new "Check your claim status" feature, claimants will receive precise notifications regarding the status of their claim and any additional information needed by NJDOL.

Email vs. Online Communication

"We understand inboxes are often full and overflowing, and emails can be missed or inadvertently sent to the junk folder,” noted Gillian Gutierrez, Senior Advisor and Director of Unemployment Insurance Modernization.

The new online system aims to centralize critical information, making it easier for claimants to meet NJDOL's requirements and receive their benefits.

Claimants will also be able to verify their identity online, a federal requirement, through a partnership with security vendor ID.me. This aims to make the process more secure and efficient.

Future Plans and Continuous Improvement

The grant, which is funded through the American Rescue Plan Act, will continue to support NJDOL’s efforts in upgrading UI technology, user experience, and security measures. A brand-new UI claim application is expected to launch later this month, further improving the claimant experience.

For added security, these new features will only be accessible if claimants log into their account using the "Log in with email" option.

For more information about benefits available to New Jersey workers, residents are encouraged to visit myunemployment.nj.gov and myleavebenefits.nj.gov.

The $11.25 million federal grant marks a significant advancement in New Jersey's ongoing effort to modernize its Unemployment Insurance systems. With features aimed at making the claims process more efficient and user-friendly, the state continues to be at the forefront of UI improvements.