ASSEMBLY LABOR COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 4534

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  OCTOBER 22, 2020

      The Assembly Labor Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 4534.

      As amended, this bill provides that the effective date of a claim for unemployment benefits will be the date on which an individual becomes unemployed or experiences a reduction in work hours, unless the claimant waits to file for unemployment benefits more than 180 days after becoming unemployed or experiencing a reduction in work hours.  If the claimant files a claim for unemployment after 180 days have passed since becoming unemployed or experiencing a reduction in work hours, the effective date of the claim will be the date of filing. 

      Currently, regulations provide that the date of an individual’s claim for benefits is the Sunday prior to the week that the individual files for unemployment benefits.  Consequently, an individual who does not file for unemployment benefits in the week the individual becomes unemployed will lose benefits for which the individual would otherwise be eligible.

      The bill also provides that if a determination is not made within sixty days of the date of filing of claimant’s claim, the claimant will be entitled to the maximum weekly benefit under the law.

      The bill provides that if, after sixty days have passed, the division determines that the claimant is not eligible for unemployment, the division will not be entitled to any of the money previously paid to that claimant.

      Each week of benefits paid to a claimant shall be charged against the individual’s maximum benefit weeks.

      As amended, the bill will apply to all claims filed on or after February 1, 2021.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to make it effective on February 1, 2021 and apply to all claims filed on or after that date.