Eligibility

• At the time of publication, eligible workers must work a minimum of 20 weeks or earned at least $7,300 to qualify for New Jersey unemployment benefits. The minimum weekly wage earned to qualify in 2011 is $145. Workers may file claims over the Internet, which is the recommended method, according to the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. They can also file claims over the phone or by mail.
  
  

Claiming Benefits

• After filing for and receiving benefits, workers must file a bi-weekly request for payment with the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development for each week of claiming benefits. This certification may be done over the Internet or by telephone. Benefit weeks for claims start on Sunday and end on Saturday. Claimants must certify that they are available to work and actively seeking employment. Claimants cannot refuse suitable work offers.
  
  

Benefit Calculation

• The Weekly Benefit Rate is the amount of unemployment compensation a worker may receive each week. This amount is 60 percent of the average weekly earnings during the claimant's 52-week base year period. In 2011, the maximum benefit amount is $598. The Maximum Benefit Amount is the total amount of collectible compensation. It is equal to the WBR times all weeks worked in the base year. This generally equals a week of benefits for every week at work during the base year, to the total of 26 weeks of benefits.
  
  

Dependent Benefits

• Those whose benefits are less than the maximum permissible amount may qualify for dependency benefits. These benefits pay an additional 7 percent for the first dependent and 4 percent each for the next two dependents. The maximum amount is 15 percent for three dependents. If the unemployed worker's spouse or civil union partner is currently employed, the worker is ineligible for dependency benefits. Besides an unemployed spouse or civil union partner, dependents are children under age 19, or under 22 years of age if in school full-time and legally resides with the claimant. If both spouses or civil unions partners are unemployed, only one is able to claim dependency benefits. To qualify for benefits, the Social Security numbers of the spouse or civil union partner or dependent children are required. Other documentation, such as income tax returns, marriage, civil union and birth certificates, divorce papers and child support is necessary to verify dependency.