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Unemployment Benefit Extensions
Overview
EUC Tier 1 Details
EUC Tier 2 Details
EUC Tier 3 Details
EUC Tier 4 Details
EB Details
High EB Details
FAC Details
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Overview
There are currently four Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) benefit extensions available.
Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC)
• EUC Tier 1 provides up to 20 weeks or 80% of an individual’s maximum benefit amount from their original unemployment insurance claim, whichever amount is less. The individual must have had their initial claim filed May 7, 2006 or later and exhausted their regular unemployment insurance benefits. An individual may not collect EUC benefits if they are eligible for a regular unemployment insurance claim in New Jersey, any other state or Canada. The EUC program expires on March 6, 2012. February 26, 2012 is the last date a EUC Tier 1 claim may be filed. EUC Tier 1 is 100% federally funded.
• EUC Tier 2 provides up to 14 weeks or 54% of an individual’s maximum benefit amount from their original unemployment insurance claim, whichever amount is less. An individual must exhaust EUC Tier 1 benefits in order to receive EUC Tier 2 benefits. An individual must exhaust their EUC Tier 1 claim by benefit week ending March 3, 2012 (this is one week later than EUC Tier 1), in order to be eligible for EUC Tier 2 before theMarch 6, 2012 expiration date of the EUC program. EUC Tier 2 is 100% federally funded. Under federal legislation, EUC Tier 2 was expanded from 13 potential weeks of benefits to a 14 potential weeks of benefits. This additional week of benefits is not payable before November 8, 2009.
• EUC Tier 3 provides up to 13 weeks or 50% of an individual’s maximum benefit amount from their original unemployment insurance claim, whichever amount is less. An individual must exhaust EUC Tier 2 benefits in order to receive EUC Tier 3 benefits. An individual must exhaust their EUC Tier 2 claim by benefit week ending March 3, 2012, in order to be eligible for EUC Tier 3 before the March 6, 2012 expiration date of the EUC program. EUC Tier 3 is 100% federally funded. Under federal legislation, EUC Tier 3 is based on New Jersey averaging a 6.0% UI Trigger rate over a three-month period and is not payable before November 8, 2009.
• EUC Tier 4 provides up to 6 weeks or 24% of an individual’s maximum benefit amount from their original unemployment insurance claim, whichever amount is less. An individual must exhaust their EUC Tier 3 benefits in order to receive EUC Tier 4 benefits. An individual must exhaust their EUC Tier 3 claim by benefit week ending March 3, 2012, in order to be eligible for EUC Tier 4 before the March 6, 2012 exipiration date of the EUC program. EUC Tier 4 is 100% federally funded. Under federal legislation, EUC Tier 4 is based on New Jersey averaging an 8.5% UI Trigger rate over a three-month period and is not payable before November 8, 2009.
Extended Benefits (EB)
• EB provides up to an additional 13 weeks or 50% of an individual’s maximum benefit amount from their original unemployment insurance claim, whichever amount is less. New Jersey became eligible for EB effective March 15, 2009. The EB program ends when New Jersey’s total unemployment insurance rate averages less than 6.0% over a three-month period.
• Effective May 3, 2009, New Jersey qualified for High EB, which allows additional EB benefits. High EB increases the amount of EB benefits to 20 weeks or 80% of an individual’s maximum benefit amount from their original unemployment insurance claim, whichever amount is less. The High EB program ends when New Jersey’s total unemployment insurance rate averages less than 8.0% over a three-month period.
EUC Tier 1 Details
History:
Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) is a Federal extension that was effective July 6, 2008, with July 12, 2008 being the first payable week. The EUC program expires on March 6, 2012. EUC Tier 1 pays 20 weeks or 80% of the individual’s maximum benefit amount on their original unemployment insurance claim, whichever amount is less.
Requirements:
• Individuals must not be eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits in New Jersey, any other state or Canada;
• Individuals must have filed a valid unemployment insurance claim dated May 7, 2006 or later;
• Individuals must have had 20 base weeks of work (earning a minimum of $145) or earned 40 times their weekly benefit rate on their UI claim.
• Individuals must have exhausted their regular unemployment insurance claim by benefit week ending February 25, 2012 in order to qualify for the EUC program.
Other:
There is no need to apply for EUC Tier 1 benefits. Once an individual exhausts their regular unemployment insurance benefits, their EUC Tier 1 claim is automatically filed on their behalf by the Division of Unemployment Insurance.
Individuals with a balance on their EUC Tier 1 claim with benefit week ending March 3, 2012, may collect the remainder of these EUC Tier 1 benefits through August 18, 2012.
EUC Tier 2 Details
History:
Federal legislation in November 2008 expanded the EUC program to provide additional benefits to individuals exhausting their EUC Tier 1 benefits. EUC Tier 2 initially provided up to 13 weeks or 50% of the individual’s maximum benefit amount on their original unemployment insurance claim, whichever amount was less. However, on November 6, 2009, new federal legislation was signed into law, allowing an additional week of EUC Tier 2 benefits. EUC Tier 2 now provides 14 weeks or 54% of the individual’s maximum benefit amount on their original unemployment insurance claim, whichever amount is less. The additional week of EUC Tier 2 benefits is not payable for weeks prior to November 8, 2009. The UI trigger requirement for EUC Tier 2 was removed and these benefits are now available in all states.
Requirements:
• Individuals must not be eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits in New Jersey, any other state or Canada;
• Individuals must qualify for the EUC program and exhaust all EUC Tier 1 benefits;
• Individuals must have exhausted their EUC Tier 1 claim by benefit week ending March 3, 2012 or earlier, in order to qualify for EUC Tier 2 benefits.
Other:
There is no need to apply for EUC Tier 2 benefits. Once an individual exhausts their EUC Tier 1 benefits, their EUC Tier 2 claim is automatically filed on their behalf by the Division of Unemployment Insurance.
Individuals with a balance on their EUC Tier 2 claim as of benefit week ending March 3, 2012, may collect the remainder of these EUC Tier 2 benefits through August 18, 2012.
EUC Tier 3 Details
EUC Tier 3 is currently active in New Jersey effective November 8, 2009.
History:
Federal legislation expanded the EUC program to provide additional benefits to individuals exhausting their EUC Tier 2 benefits. EUC Tier 3 provides 13 weeks or 50% of the individual’s maximum benefit amount on their original unemployment insurance claim, whichever amount was less. EUC Tier 3 benefits are not payable for weeks prior to November 8, 2009.
Requirements:
• Individuals must not be eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits in New Jersey, any other state or Canada;
• Individuals must qualify for the EUC program and exhaust all EUC Tier 2 benefits;
• Individuals must have exhausted their EUC Tier 2 claim by benefit week ending March 3, 2012 or earlier, in order to qualify for EUC Tier 3 benefits;
• New Jersey’s total unemployment insurance rate must average 6.0% for a three-month period for EUC Tier 3 to “trigger-on”.
Other:
There is no need to apply for EUC Tier 3 benefits. Once an individual exhausts their EUC Tier 2 benefits, their EUC Tier 3 claim is automatically filed on their behalf by the Division of Unemployment Insurance.
Individuals with a balance on their EUC Tier 3 claim as of benefit week ending March 3, 2012, may collect the remainder of these EUC Tier 3 benefits through August 18, 2012.
EUC Tier 4 Details
EUC Tier 4 is currently active in New Jersey effective November 8, 2009.
History:
Federal legislation expanded the EUC program to provide additional benefits to individuals exhausting their EUC Tier 3 benefits. EUC Tier 4 provides 6 weeks or 24% of the individual’s maximum benefit amount on their original unemployment insurance claim, whichever amount was less. EUC Tier 4 benefits are not payable for weeks prior to November 8, 2009.
Requirements:
• Individuals must not be eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits in New Jersey, any other state or Canada;
• Individuals must qualify for the EUC program and exhaust all EUC Tier 3 benefits;
• Individuals must have exhausted their EUC Tier 3 claim by benefit week ending March 3, 2012 or earlier, in order to qualify for EUC Tier 4 benefits;
• New Jersey’s total unemployment insurance rate must average 8.5% for a three-month period for EUC Tier 4 to “trigger-on.”
Other:
There is no need to apply for EUC Tier 4 benefits. Once an individual exhausts their EUC Tier 3 benefits, their EUC Tier 4 claim is automatically filed on their behalf by the Division of Unemployment Insurance.
Individuals with a balance on their EUC Tier 4 claim as of benefit week ending March 3, 2012, may collect the remainder of these EUC Tier 4 benefits through August 18, 2012.
EB Details
EB is active in New Jersey.
EB benefits are only payable to eligible individuals through week ending March 10, 2012.
History:
Extended Benefits (EB) is an unemployment insurance extension program that is 50% funded by New Jersey and 50% funded by the federal government. EB pays 13 weeks or 50% of the individual’s maximum benefit amount on their original unemployment insurance claim, whichever amount is less. In order for EB to become active, New Jersey had to have an unemployment insurance rate that averaged 6.0% over a three-month period. New Jersey triggered on EB effective March 15, 2009. In periods of high unemployment, EB can expand to High EB. (See High EB below).
In New Jersey, all EUC benefits must be paid prior to the payment of any EB benefits.
Requirements:
• Individuals must not be eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits in New Jersey, any other state or Canada;
• Individuals must have exhausted EUC Tier 2 benefits after March 15, 2009; or must not be eligible for another Tier of EUC benefits.
• Individuals must have had 20 base weeks of work (earning a minimum of $143 in 2009, earning a minimum of $145 in 2010, 2011, and 2012) or earned 40 times their weekly benefit rate on their UI claim.
• If an individual was disqualified for misconduct or refused suitable work on their regular unemployment insurance claim or while collecting EUC benefits, the individual may be held disqualified for EB benefits, unless they have subsequently earned four times their weekly benefit rate to overcome this disqualification.
(The last date an EB claim may be filed for eligible individuals is March 4, 2012. No EB Benefits are payable after week ending March 10, 2012.)
Other:
There is no need to apply for EB benefits. Once an individual exhausts their final available EUC benefits, an EB claim is automatically filed on their behalf by the Division of Unemployment Insurance.
Note: Under EB law, the EB program is more stringent and more is expected of an individual claiming EB benefits. Due to stringent work search and availability requirements, an individual must submit proof of their work search each time they certify for benefits. UI staff reviews each work search to ensure that individual is actively seeking work. There are other requirements under EB law that must be met and maintained by an individual in order to remain eligible for EB benefits.
High EB Details
EB is active in New Jersey.
EB benefits are only payable to eligible individuals through week ending March 10, 2012.
History:
High Extended Benefits (EB) expands Extended Benefits (EB) from 13 weeks or 50% of the individual’s maximum benefit amount to 20 weeks or 80% of the individual’s maximum benefit amount, whichever amount is less. In order for High EB to become active, New Jersey had to have an unemployment insurance rate that averaged 8.0% for a three-month period. New Jersey triggered off of High EB effective May 3, 2009.
In New Jersey, all EUC benefits must be paid prior to the payment of any EB benefits.
Requirements:
• Individuals must not be eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits in New Jersey, any other state or Canada;
• Individuals must have exhausted EUC Tier 2 benefits after March 15, 2009, or must not be eligible for another Tier of EUC benefits;
• Individuals must have had 20 base weeks of work (earning a minimum of $143 in 2009 and $145 in 2010, 2011, and 2012) or earned 40 times their weekly benefit rate on their UI claim.
• If an individual was disqualified for misconduct or refused suitable work on their regular unemployment insurance claim or while collecting EUC benefits, the individual may be held disqualified for EB benefits, unless they have subsequently earned four times their weekly benefit rate to overcome this disqualification.
(The last date an EB claim may be filed for eligible individuals is March 4, 2012. No EB Benefits are payable after week ending March 10, 2012.)
Other:
There is no need to apply for EB benefits. Once an individual exhausts their final available EUC benefits, an EB claim is automatically filed on their behalf by the Division of Unemployment Insurance.
Note: Under EB law, the EB program is more stringent and more is expected of an individual claiming EB benefits. Due to stringent work search and availability requirements, an individual must submit proof of their work search each time they certify for benefits. UI staff reviews each work search to ensure that individual is actively seeking work. There are other requirements under EB law that must be met and maintained by an individual in order to remain eligible for EB benefits.
FAC Details
The final date to receive the $25 FAC stimulus payment was week ending December 11, 2010.
History:
Federal legislation established the Federal Additional Compensation (FAC) program, which provided an additional $25 benefit payment for any week claimed by an individual who was collecting regular unemployment insurance, EUC benefits (all tiers), EB benefits and TRA benefits. The FAC program was effective February 28, 2009 through December 11, 2010. FAC benefits were issued separately. An individual must have filed a regular unemployment insurance claim as of May 23, 2010, in order to qualify for this weekly additional benefit. If an individual filed their claim May 23, 2010 or earlier, they can continue to collect FAC benefits through week ending December 11, 2010.
Requirements:
• Individuals must have a regular UI claim dated May 23, 2010 or earlier;
• Individuals collecting ABT benefits or RTAA (ATAA) benefits are ineligible for this program.
Other:
There is no need to apply for FAC benefits. FAC benefit checks are mailed once a week on Mondays.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. What is a base week or base year?
A. For more information on base week or base year, click here.
Q. What is the EUC Tier 1 Program?
A. The EUC Tier 1 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).
Q. Who is eligible for EUC Tier 1 benefits?
A. The EUC extension applies to claimants:
- Who are unemployed during the EUC period which began on July 6, 2008 and will end with EUC claims filed February 26, 2011;
- 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.
Q. Am I eligible for EUC benefits if I had a disqualification on my claim while receiving regular benefits?
A. If you had a prior disqualification on your claim for benefits, the disqualification remains in effect until you meet the requalification requirements.
Q. What is the weekly benefit rate?
A. Benefits are payable at the same weekly rate as you received on the UI claim upon which the EUC claim is based.
Q. For what period are EUC Tier 1 benefits payable?
A. The first week for which EUC Tier 1 benefits were paid was the week ending July 12, 2008. No EUC Tier I benefits can be paid for any period after week ending August 18, 2012.
Q. What happens if EUC ends and I still have money available?
A. According to Federal law EUC benefits cannot be paid after August 18, 2012.
Q. I am currently collecting EUC and will not qualify for another Tier of EUC benefits. Will the expiration date of the EUC program be changed?
A. The EUC Tier 1 program is set to expire on March 6, 2012. In order to qualify for EUC Tier 1, you must have exhausted your regular benefits by February 25, 2012. If you are currently collecting any of the EUC Tiers, you must have exhausted those benefits by March 3, 2012, in order to qualify for the next EUC Tier.
Q. What should I do if I have not received a notice of potential eligibility and I exhausted my regular unemployment insurance claim?
A. Your EUC Tier 1 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
Q. What happens when I run out of regular benefits?
A. If you are eligible for an extension, we will send you a notice of eligibility along with a monetary determination, which provides your benefit detail. For EB, you will also be sent a letter explaining your rights and responsibilities that you must meet in order to remain eligible for EB benefits. If your claim expires while you are receiving benefits, you may qualify for a new claim. If you do not qualify for a new claim, you will remain entitled to any of the above-mentioned extensions, as long as you meet the requirements listed for each.
If you exhaust benefits for all of the available extensions, then your only option is to qualify for a new claim.
Q. If there are no more extensions available, how will I know if I qualify for any future extensions?
A. When you exhaust all of your available benefits, if a new extension is established and you are potentially eligible, the Division of Unemployment Insurance will notify you by mail. Please keep us informed of your current address.
Q. Can I apply for an extension before I exhaust my regular benefits?
A. No. As in question 3, if you have a balance of regular benefits remaining in your benefit year, you must exhaust those benefits or have your benefit year expire, prior to having an extension filed.
Q. Are EUC benefits taxable?
A. Yes, EUC benefits are taxable. The amount of EUC benefits paid in 2011 will be included with the amount of regular unemployment insurance benefits on Form 1099-G that will be mailed at the end of January 2012.
Q. What do I do if I have not received Form 1099-G?
A. 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.
Q. What can I do if I disagree with the notice of eligibility or ineligibility for EUC benefits?
A. 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.
Q. I worked in New Jersey, but I now live in another state. Can I receive EUC?
A. 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.
Q. I have an outstanding overpayment debt established when I collected regular New Jersey UI. May I collect EUC benefits?
A. Yes, you may file for EUC benefits. However, EUC benefits may be used to offset your UI debt, depending on the type of refund.
Q. When I collected regular UI benefits, they were garnished to pay for child support. Is this the case with EUC benefits?
A. Yes, a garnishment will still be made from your EUC benefits.
Enrolled in TRA training
Q. When can I claim TRA?
A. 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.
Q. What if I am receiving benefits under the Trade Act (TRA)?
A. 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.
Q. Can I choose to collect TRA benefits before filing a EUC claim?
A. 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.
Q. When EUC benefits exhaust, how do I claim TRA training benefits?
A. 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.
Q. Will EUC benefits affect the amount of my TRA benefits?
A. 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)
Q. What if I am receiving Additional Benefits during Training (ABT) under the Workforce Development Program?
A. You must first receive EUC benefits. After EUC benefits are exhausted, if you are still in training, you may receive ABT again.
Q. I am still collecting regular unemployment benefits. If I am still in training, what claim do I file when my unemployment benefits exhaust?
A. 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.
Q. I am currently collecting ABT benefits. How does the EUC program affect me?
A. EUC benefits must be paid before further ABT benefits are paid. No ABT benefits will be paid after July 6, 2008 until all 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.
Q. Will the EUC benefits affect the amount in my ABT claim?
A. No. The payment of EUC benefits does not reduce the maximum benefit amount of your ABT claim.
Enrolled in Entrepreneurial Training Program
Q. 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?
A. 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
Q. 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?
A. 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
Q. I am an employer. How does EUC affect my experience rating and benefit charges?
A. 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.
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