What you need to do each week to keep your benefits active
New Jersey requires you to file a claim every week you want to receive unemployment benefits. You do this through the state's online system, called the Unemployment Insurance (UI) portal, or by phone. Missing a weekly filing important date stops your payments that week, even if you were otherwise may have access to to them. The state does not automatically pay you — you must submit a new claim each week, report your work search activity, and answer questions about your employment status.
The weekly claim is separate from your initial process. Once you have been approved for benefits, the weekly claim is how you tell the state you are still unemployed and still looking for work. Each claim covers a seven-day period called a "benefit week," which runs Sunday through Saturday.
Key Takeaways
- You must file a weekly claim every week you want to receive unemployment benefits, or you will not be paid that week.
- The benefit week runs Sunday through Saturday, and claims are usually due by the end of the following week.
- You can file online through the NJ UI portal, by phone at 1-888-209-8124, or by mail, but online is fastest.
- Each week you must report any work you did, any income you earned, and confirm you are still looking for work.
- If you miss the important date, you can still file a late claim, but your payment will be delayed until the state processes it.
How to file your claim online through the NJ UI portal
The fastest way to file is through the state's online portal at nj.gov/labor/myunemployment. You log in with the username and password you created when you first applied for benefits. If you have forgotten your login, you can reset it on the same page.
Once logged in, you will see a prompt to file your weekly claim. The system will ask you a series of questions: whether you worked during the benefit week, how much you earned if you did work, whether you looked for work, and whether you are still unemployed. Answer each question truthfully. If you worked even one day, you must report it and the amount you earned — the state will reduce your benefit payment based on your earnings that week.
After you submit your claim, the system will show you a confirmation number. Write this down or take a screenshot. The state typically processes weekly claims within two to three business days, and your payment will be deposited into your bank account or onto your debit card (depending on how you set up payment when you first applied).
Filing by phone if you cannot use the online system
If you do not have internet access or prefer to file by phone, call the New Jersey Unemployment Insurance Claims line at 1-888-209-8124. The line is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern time. Wait times are often long, especially early in the week, so calling mid-week or late afternoon may be faster.
When you call, have your Social Security number and your claim number (from your approval letter) ready. A representative will ask you the same questions as the online form: whether you worked, how much you earned, and whether you are still looking for work. The representative will file the claim for you and give you a confirmation number over the phone.
Filing by phone takes longer than online, both because of wait times and because the state must manually enter your information. Your payment may take an extra few days to process.
When your weekly claim is due and what happens if you miss the important date
The benefit week runs Sunday through Saturday. New Jersey does not publish a single important date for all filers, but claims are typically due by the end of the following week — usually by Friday or Saturday. The exact important date depends on your Social Security number and is shown in your online account.
If you miss your important date, you can still file a late claim, but your payment will be delayed. The state will process your late claim, but you will not receive payment until after it has been reviewed. In some cases, a late claim can be denied if the state determines you did not have good reason for missing the important date, though New Jersey is generally more flexible about late filings than some other states.
To avoid missing important date, file your claim as soon as the week ends — do not wait until the last day. If you know you will be unavailable on your normal filing day, file early.
What to report about work and income each week
You must report any work you did during the benefit week, no matter how little. This includes part-time work, gig work, self-employment, or any day labor. You must also report the gross amount you earned (before taxes), not the amount you took home.
New Jersey reduces your weekly benefit by a portion of your earnings. The state allows you to earn a small amount before your benefits are reduced — this is called a "disregard." Currently, New Jersey disregards $50 of your weekly earnings. Any earnings above $50 reduce your benefit dollar-for-dollar. For example, if your weekly benefit is $400 and you earned $100 that week, you would receive $350 ($400 minus $50 disregard, minus $50 of earnings above the disregard).
If you earned enough that week to reduce your benefit to zero, you still must file your weekly claim and report the earnings. This keeps your claim active for future weeks when you may earn less.
Reporting your work search activity
Each week, you must confirm that you looked for work. New Jersey does not require you to provide the names of employers you contacted or a detailed log of your search, but you must answer "yes" when asked whether you searched for work. If you answer "no," the state may deny that week's benefit or ask you to provide documentation of your search.
Keep a straightforward record of your job search activity — the dates you applied, the companies you contacted, and the positions you looked at. You do not need to submit this record with your weekly claim, but if the state questions your claim, you will need to show that you were actively searching.
If you are unable to work or search for work during a particular week because of illness, a court appearance, or another documented reason, contact the New Jersey Department of Labor before filing your claim that week. In some cases, the state may waive the work search requirement for that week.
What happens if information on your weekly claim does not match your records
If the state finds a discrepancy between what you reported on your weekly claim and what your employer reports, or if your earnings do not match what you said, the state will contact you. This is called a "wage verification" or "fact-finding" interview. You will receive a letter asking you to respond, usually within 10 days.
Respond to this letter when ready, even if you believe the state's information is wrong. Explain what you reported and why. If you made a mistake on your weekly claim, admit it and explain. If you believe the state's information is incorrect, provide documentation — pay stubs, bank statements, or a letter from your employer.
If you do not respond, the state may deny your claim for that week or reduce your future benefits. If you respond and the state determines you intentionally misreported your earnings, you may be required to repay benefits and could face fraud charges.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I worked part of the week but was laid off partway through?
Report the work you did and the earnings you received for those days. You are still may have access to to a partial benefit for the week. The state will calculate your payment based on the earnings you report.
Can I file my weekly claim early, before the week ends?
No. The online system and phone line will not let you file a claim until after the benefit week has ended (after Saturday). You can file as early as Sunday morning, but not before.
What if I cannot access the online portal or reach the phone line?
You can file by mail. Send a written statement to the New Jersey Department of Labor with your name, Social Security number, claim number, the benefit week you are claiming, and answers to the standard questions (work, earnings, job search). Mail it to the address on your approval letter. Filing by mail takes much longer — allow at least two weeks for processing.
Do I have to report gig work or self-employment income?
Yes. Any income you earned during the benefit week must be reported, including gig work, freelance income, or self-employment. Report the gross amount you earned, not what you kept after expenses.
What if I was sick or unable to work one day that week?
You still must file your weekly claim and answer the questions about work and job search. If you were sick for the entire week and could not search for work, contact the Department of Labor before filing to ask whether the work search requirement can be waived for that week.