What you do each week to stay on unemployment in New Jersey
Once you are approved for unemployment benefits in New Jersey, you must file a weekly claim every week you want to receive a payment. This is not optional — if you do not file your weekly claim, you will not get paid that week, even if you are approved for benefits overall.
New Jersey uses an online system called myunemployment.nj.gov where you file these claims yourself. You log in with the same account you used to file your initial claim. The state processes weekly claims on a rolling basis, and payments are deposited to your debit card or bank account, usually within one business day after the claim is processed.
The weekly claim asks you to confirm that you are still unemployed, that you have not earned income that week, and that you are able and available to work. You answer a few yes-or-no questions about your job search activity and any work you did. If your situation changes — you start working, go back to school, or become unable to work — you report that on your weekly claim.
Key Takeaways
- You must file a weekly claim every week through myunemployment.nj.gov to receive a payment, even after your initial claim is approved.
- Weekly claims are due by the end of the week you are claiming for, and the state processes them within one business day.
- You report any work, income, or changes in your situation on the weekly claim form — lying about this can result in overpayment demands and fraud charges.
- If you miss a week, you can file a late claim, but the state may deny it if too much time has passed.
When and how to file your weekly claim
New Jersey's benefit week runs from Sunday through Saturday. You can file your weekly claim starting on Sunday of that week through the following Saturday. The state recommends filing early in the week so you have time to fix any errors before the important date.
To file, log into myunemployment.nj.gov with your username and password. Click on "File Weekly Claim" and answer the questions about your employment status that week. The form takes about five minutes. Once you submit it, you will see a confirmation number on your screen — write this down or take a screenshot.
If you do not have internet access, you can file by phone by calling the New Jersey Department of Labor at 1-888-209-8045. The automated system will walk you through the same questions. Have your Social Security number and claim number ready.
What happens if you miss the filing important date
If you do not file your weekly claim by the end of that week, you will not receive a payment for that week. However, you can file a late claim for up to two weeks after the week you are claiming for ends. For example, if you miss the claim for the week of January 1–7, you can still file it through January 21.
The state does not automatically deny late claims, but they may investigate why you filed late. If you have a good reason — you were sick, had a technical problem, or did not understand the requirement — explain it when you file. If you file too late (more than two weeks after the week ended), the state will deny the claim and you will not receive payment for that week.
If you know you will be unable to file for a week, contact the Department of Labor before that week ends. They may be able to hold your claim or extend your important date in certain situations, such as hospitalization or a family emergency.
What to report on your weekly claim
The weekly claim form asks you to report any work you did that week, including part-time work, gig work, or self-employment. You must also report any income you received, even if you have not been paid yet. New Jersey reduces your weekly benefit by a portion of any income you earn — this is called a work allowance.
You will also be asked whether you searched for work that week. New Jersey does not require you to prove your job search activity on the weekly claim itself, but you must be able and available to work. If you are not looking for work because you are in school, caring for a family member, or have another reason you cannot work, you should report this and may lose your benefits.
Answer all questions honestly. The state cross-checks weekly claims against wage records from employers and income reported on tax returns. If you report no income but the state finds that you worked, you will be asked to repay the benefits you received — this is called an overpayment — and you may face fraud charges.
How your payment is processed and when you receive it
After you file your weekly claim, the state processes it within one business day. Once approved, your payment is deposited to the debit card or bank account you provided when you filed your initial claim. Most people receive their payment within one business day of filing, though it can take up to three business days depending on your bank.
You can check the status of your weekly claim at any time by logging into myunemployment.nj.gov and viewing your claim history. The system will show you whether each claim has been filed, is pending, has been approved, or has been denied.
If a claim is denied, the system will show you the reason — for example, you reported income that reduced your benefit below the minimum, or you reported that you are not able to work. You can file an appeal if you disagree with the denial. The appeal process takes several weeks and involves a hearing before an administrative law judge.
What changes require you to report when ready
Certain changes in your situation must be reported right away, not just on your next weekly claim. If you start a new job or return to work, contact the Department of Labor before you file your next weekly claim. If you become unable to work due to illness or injury, report this when ready as well.
If your address, phone number, or bank account changes, update this information in your myunemployment.nj.gov account as soon as possible. If the state cannot reach you or send your payment to the correct account, your claim may be delayed or denied.
If you are called back to your previous job or offered a job and you refuse it without good cause, you may lose your benefits. Report any job offers to the Department of Labor so they can advise you on whether refusing the job will affect your claim.
Common reasons weekly claims are denied
The most common reason a weekly claim is denied is that you reported income that reduced your benefit below the state's minimum weekly amount. New Jersey allows you to earn a small amount of money and still receive some benefits, but if you earn too much, your benefit is reduced to zero.
Another common reason is that you reported you are not able to work that week. Unemployment benefits are only for people who are unemployed through no fault of their own and are able and available to work. If you are in school full-time, caring for a family member, or have a medical condition that prevents you from working, you are not may be able to access for that week.
You may also be denied if you reported that you refused a job offer or were fired for misconduct. These situations require a separate investigation and hearing, and your weekly claim may be held pending the outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I worked part of the week — do I still file a weekly claim?
Yes, you file a weekly claim and report the income you earned. New Jersey will reduce your benefit by a portion of your earnings, but you may still receive some payment. The exact reduction depends on how much you earned and your weekly benefit amount.
Can I file multiple weeks of claims at once?
You can file late claims for up to two weeks after the week you are claiming for ends, but you must file each week separately. You cannot file all four weeks of a month in one submission. File each week's claim individually through myunemployment.nj.gov.
What if the website is down when I try to file?
If myunemployment.nj.gov is unavailable, you can file by phone at 1-888-209-8045. Keep a record of when you called and the confirmation number you received. The state will not penalize you for filing late if the system was down, but you must file within a reasonable time after service is restored.
Do I need to show proof of job searching when I file my weekly claim?
New Jersey does not require you to submit proof of job search activity with your weekly claim. However, you must be able and available to work. If the state contacts you and asks for documentation of your job search, you should be prepared to provide it.
What happens if I forget to file for two weeks?
You can file late claims for both weeks as long as you file within two weeks after each week ends. However, if you wait longer than two weeks, the state will deny those claims and you will not receive payment for those weeks. File as soon as you remember.