There’s some good news out today for those out of a job. Legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Joseph Egan to help laid-off New Jersey workers take advantage of extended federal unemployment benefits was approved by an Assembly panel today. “With New Jersey’s unemployment rate still hovering around 9 percent and 15,000 more individuals applying for benefits two weeks ago, this extension will help beleaguered New Jersey residents desperately trying to find work,” said Egan (D-Middlesex/Somerset). “This an important step toward ensuring working class New Jerseyans get sustained help when they need it most.”
The legislation (A-4437) would implement the option provided under the recent federal law signed by President Obama, which will extend federal unemployment insurance (UI) benefits until Feb. 29, 2012, two months after they were set to expire.
Essentially, the bill makes the necessary adjustments to New Jersey’s Extended Benefits Law in order to ensure that those who are unemployed will continue to receive fully-funded extended unemployment benefits for as long as the federal government continues to subsidize them.
The legislature unanimously passed similar legislation (S-2680/A-3795) earlier this year after the federal government extended UI benefits until January 3, 2012. The legislation was signed by Governor Christie in April.
The new bill approved today also includes a trigger that will automatically extend the benefits at the state level should the federal government extend them again at any future date.
The continuation of UI benefits under this bill will pose no cost to New Jersey’s UI fund or employers in the state, because the benefits are contingent upon 100 percent federal funding.
“During the current recession, the average length of a person’s stint on unemployment has reached over 40 weeks. Because basic unemployment benefits last only 26 weeks, the average person that becomes unemployed will draw on at least some extended benefits, making this legislation all the more necessary,” added Egan.
Egan noted that the unemployment rate in New Jersey at the close of 2011 remained at 9.1 percent, according to the latest available statistics. There are currently over 412,700 unemployed workers in New Jersey.
The bill was approved by the Assembly Labor Committee by a vote of 9-0. TLS.
ohhh joy , you can stay home and watch judge (moderated) for 2 more months . when are people going to become responcable for themselfs and not count on the goverment to bail them out. just sickening
yeeaa i can now buy bagels and drugs while i watch my big screen tv
And what is the good, expensive with nothing in return Governor doing to bring industry to NJ instead of repelling it?
ZERO!!!
If you like Christie, spare me and provide a fact of something good he has done in any area, let alone job growth.
It must be nice to have a job where you dont have to work and you can just talk like you care.
#1 & #2
What do you work as?Apparently your job doesn’t require knowing how to write and lets you blog during work hours)
Are you on no government programs yourself?
Believe me I wish I was not on unemployment. No I’m not sitting around.I spend hours every day looking for a job.If you know of one let me know.
the cap on unemployment is 600 dollars a week – not so much money – im sure most people would rather work and live comfortably so think before you talk and i hope you dont find yourself in that situation people have it so hard!
I agree with #4, everyone on UE is not lazy or using drugs. As for #1 & #2 where ever you work evidently didnt hire you for your brains because your spelling is worse than that of my 4 year old. Some of us actually got laid of and are actively seeking work or working part time til something better comes through, so quick to judge and down talk others.. by the way it RESPONSIBLE!! Hope they have dictionary’s at your place of employment…