Official Site of The State of New Jersey
Who is eligible for benefits?
When you first apply for Unemployment Insurance benefits, we look at a few different factors to see if you qualify.
Unemployment benefits are based on wage information from your employers in the last 18 months. If you live in NJ but only worked in other states, you should apply in a state where you physically worked.
We need to know why you're out of work, and whether your recent earnings meet the minimum required by law.
After you first qualify for benefits, you will need to meet some additional requirements in order to keep receiving them.
Some workers, like school employees and business owners, have their own unique qualifications. If you are self-employed and do not pay for Unemployment Insurance through your paycheck, you may not be eligible for benefits.
Read our FAQs on who is eligible for benefits here.
Unemployment Insurance benefits are meant for people who lose their job “through no fault of their own,” such as an employer’s lack of work or a layoff due to downsizing. If you voluntarily quit your job for reasons that were not work-related, or you were terminated for misconduct, your eligibility will need to be reviewed. A representative from our division (a claims examiner) will conduct a fact-finding interview by either phone or email to determine whether you are eligible for Unemployment Insurance benefits. Your employer(s) may also be requested to participate. The claims examiner will review the facts that you and your employer(s) provide, and determine your eligibility based on the law.
If you were fired due to misconduct or you quit voluntarily, your benefits may be delayed or denied.
Read more about quitting or getting fired.
To qualify for unemployment payments from New Jersey, you must have made at least a certain amount of money during your "base year." You don’t have to calculate your weekly benefit rate. Department of Labor staff will do these calculations when they review your application.
Your weekly payment amount is determined by the earnings you made in your base year.
Minimum earnings
If you applied in 2024: You must have earned at least $283 per week for 20 or more weeks in covered employment during your base year, or a total of at least $14,200.
If you’re applying in 2025: You must have earned at least $303 per week for 20 or more weeks in covered employment during your base year, or a total of at least $15,200.
Regular base year
The regular base year is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before the week you first applied for unemployment. This period covers 52 weeks and depends on when you apply.
| If you submitted your application between: | Your benefits are based on employment from (base year): |
| October 1, 2023 – December 31, 2024 | July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024 |
| January 1, 2025 – March 31, 2025 | October 1, 2023 – December 31, 2024 |
| April 1, 2025 – June 30, 2025 | January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024 |
| July 1, 2025 – September 30, 2025 | April 1, 2024 – March 31, 2025 |
| October 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025 | July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025 |
Other base year options
If you don’t qualify with a regular base year, there are alternate base year options, especially if you’re filing after a period of disability. Department of Labor staff will determine if they need to use alternate base year options when they review your application.
If you work for a school as a teacher or staff member, your Unemployment Insurance claim will have distinct eligibility requirements. Click here to learn more.
If you are a federal employee, your Unemployment Insurance claim will have distinct eligibility requirements. Click here to learn more.
If you are a corporate officer or own some or all of a business, your Unemployment Insurance claim will have distinct eligibility requirements. Click here to learn more.
If you become unable to work due to an illness, injury, pregnancy, or another physical or mental health condition more than 14 days after your last day of work in covered employment, you may be eligible for benefits under the Disability During Unemployment (DDU) program.
If you need to bond with a newborn or newly adopted or fostered child, or care for a loved one more than 14 days after your last day of work in covered employment and you are not on an employer approved leave of absence, you may be eligible for the Family Leave During Unemployment (FLDU) program.
