Below is updated information about the Unemployment Insurance program. For the full LRRC COVID-19 related paid work leaves FAQ document, visit https://bit.ly/lrrc19ghfaq. If you still have questions after reviewing this document, you are welcome to schedule a phone appointment with a caseworker to discuss your situation by calling our automated scheduling system directly at (732)523-1789. You can also e-mail us at questions@lrrcenter.org, and we will do our best to get back to you within 2 business days. As always, all our current program literature, recent announcements, and helpful links are posted on our website at www.info.lrrcenter.org.

29. I have been unemployed since March. I received the $600 supplemental payment until the end of July. The weekly benefit amount I am currently receiving is not enough to pay my bills. Will I be receiving any additional supplemental Unemployment Insurance payments? (Updated 10/13/2020)

The state recently rolled out the Lost Wage Assistance (LWA) benefit, which will provide $300/week to anyone  who was unemployed or partially unemployed due to COVID-19 and was eligible for at least $100 in weekly unemployment benefits. The extra $300 will be paid for the 6-week period between the week ending 8/1/20, and the week ending 9/5/20. The maximum benefit is $1,800 (6 weeks x $300). The money will be paid in a single, lump-sum payment during the week of October 19th.

30. What do I need to do to receive the Lost Wage Assistance (LWA) benefit? (Updated 10/13/2020)

Many claimants eligible for LWA do not need to do anything to get those benefits. Only claimants who have not yet certified that their unemployment is COVID-related must do so now. If you were unemployed due to COVID and you did not yet certify that your claim is COVID-related, you need to attest that your unemployment is COVID-related in the Check Claim Status part of your application by checking the appropriate box in the “Self-Service Options” section. You can access the certification portal here: https://lwdwebpt.dol.state.nj.us/ClaimStatus/claimStatus.htm. You must certify for benefit before 5pm on Friday, October 16, 2020.

34. How long will my unemployment benefits last? (Updated 10/13/2020)

Typically, Unemployment Insurance lasts for 26 weeks. Due to COVID-19, the federal government will be providing an additional 13 weeks of benefits. Once those benefits are exhausted, the State will be providing 20 additional weeks. The additional 20 weeks of benefits brings to 59 the maximum number of weeks an eligible claimant may receive in benefits at this time. Eligible claimants will be automatically enrolled into state-issued extended benefits as their federal extension ends. You do not need to contact an agent or reapply. Some workers who do not meet the minimum earnings requirement will not be eligible to receive the 20-week state extension. If you are ineligible for the 20-week state extension, you may qualify for additional weeks if you meet the criteria for a PUA claim. In all cases, the DOL will contact you for more information. There is no need to contact a DOL representative to request an extension.

57. I was approved for benefits, but I am only being given the option to claim benefits from last week. How can I get the retroactive benefits? (Updated 10/13/2020)

Generally, unemployment benefits are only approved retroactive to the beginning of the week that you filed. PUA will provide the benefits retroactive to the date that you became unemployed. If you are waiting for benefits for the time between when you lost your job and when you filed for Unemployment, you need to request those retroactive benefits by speaking to a Department of Labor representative. See #34 for contact information. The Department of Labor representative will take your information and give it to the correct department who will be in touch with you to process your claim. Many people have been receiving follow-up calls from 866-812-5907, you can feel comfortable disclosing information necessary to backdate your claim when you receive a call from this number. It will likely take several weeks after your request is received to receive benefits.

58. I spoke to a DOL representative and requested retroactive benefits. I just received a letter in the mail that I must repay all benefits that I received until now. What is going on? (Updated 10/13/2020)

There is no need to worry. When you request that your claim be backdated, your original claim is canceled, and a new claim is created with the appropriate start date to allow you to claim benefits for this earlier period. When this happens, you receive a letter in the mail stating that you have been overpaid by the Division of Unemployment Insurance. This is an automatically-generated letter. There is nothing to worry about and no need to respond. Go online during your scheduled time and certify for weekly benefits. In order to receive all of your benefits, you must now certify for all weeks for which you wish to receive payment (including any weeks you previously completed a weekly certification for on your original claim). You must report all income received during the week that is being requested (even if you reported it before), so you should organize the information about all hours worked and all wages earned during each week of your claim before beginning the certification process. You will have multiple weeks of certifications to complete. You may notice two differences in your weekly certification screens. First, your weekly benefit rate (WBR) may have changed. Since the start date of the unemployment claim has changed, the mandatory federal calculation of benefits may require the DOL to analyze earnings during an earlier period. Second, as they process the benefits (both from the earlier start date and the re-processing of benefits you already received), some weeks of benefits you certify for now will not create payments to you, but rather cancel out the “overpayment” from the previous claim. In the end, you will receive all the funds due to you.

59. I am self-employed and do not have any work due to COVID-19. I only get approved for $231/week. What is going on? Should I appeal? (Updated 10/13/2020)

Anyone who is eligible for PUA, but for whom available wage records are incomplete, are receiving weekly PUA payments for the minimum amount of $231 (plus the $600 weekly supplemental benefit until the end of July). If you believe you should be eligible for a higher benefit amount based on your previous earnings, you should file an appeal. You will then be contacted to provide your income information, and adjustment to your weekly benefit rate will be made based on the updated income information you provide. You will be required to produce income records for 2018 and 2019, so you should make sure they are prepared.

The Lakewood Resource and Referral Center provides comprehensive social service information, referrals, counseling, community education, and assistance in navigating both government and private-sector programs. We can be reached at 732-942-9292, and we are located at 212 2nd Street, Suite 204. For more information, to donate, or to be added to our mailing list to receive valuable tips and special program announcements, visit www.lrrcenter.org.