Greetings everyone. Here, verbatim, is the latest info right off the NJ LWD website. Note that they FINALLY put in SPECIFIC eligibility dates!
http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/ui/...itProgram.html
Unemployment Benefit Extensions
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Overview
EUC Tier 1 Details
EUC Tier 2 Details
EUC Tier 3 Details
EUC Tier 4 Details
EB Details
High EB Details
FAC Details
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Overview
There are currently four Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) benefit extensions available.
Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC)
• EUC Tier 1 provides up to 20 weeks or 80% of an individual’s maximum benefit amount from their original unemployment insurance claim, whichever amount is less. The individual must have had their initial claim filed May 7, 2006 or later and exhausted their regular unemployment insurance benefits. An individual may not collect EUC benefits if they are eligible for a regular unemployment insurance claim in New Jersey, any other state or Canada. Due to the December 31, 2009 expiration date of the EUC program, the last week the first EUC Tier 1 claim is December 20, 2009. EUC Tier 1 is 100% federally funded.
• EUC Tier 2 provides up to 14 weeks or 54% of an individual’s maximum benefit amount from their original unemployment insurance claim, whichever amount is less. An individual must exhaust EUC Tier 1 benefits in order to receive EUC Tier 2 benefits. An individual must exhaust their EUC Tier 1 claim by benefit week ending December 26, 2009 (this is one week later than EUC Tier 1), in order to be eligible for EUC Tier 2 before the December 31, 2009 expiration date of the EUC program. EUC Tier 2 is 100% federally funded. Under the new federal legislation, EUC Tier 2 was expanded from 13 potential weeks of benefits to a 14 potential weeks of benefits. This additional week of benefits is not payable before November 8, 2009. The UI trigger requirement for EUC Tier 2 was removed for this extension. These benefits are now available in all states.
• EUC Tier 3 provides up to 13 weeks or 50% of an individual’s maximum benefit amount from their original unemployment insurance claim, whichever amount is less. An individual must exhaust EUC Tier 2 benefits in order to receive EUC Tier 3 benefits. An individual must exhaust their EUC Tier 2 claim by benefit week ending December 26, 2009, in order to be eligible for EUC Tier 3 before the December 31, 2009 expiration date of the EUC program. EUC Tier 3 is 100% federally funded. Under the new federal legislation, EUC Tier 3 is based on New Jersey averaging a 6.0% UI Trigger rate over a three-month period. It is not payable before November 8, 2009.
• EUC Tier 4 provides up to 6 weeks or 24% of an individual’s maximum benefit amount from their original unemployment insurance claim, whichever amount is less. An individual must exhaust their EUC Tier 3 benefits in order to receive EUC Tier 4 benefits. An individual must exhaust their EUC Tier 3 claim by benefit week ending December 26, 2009, in order to be eligible for EUC Tier 4. EUC Tier 4 is 100% federally funded. Under the new federal legislation, EUC Tier 4 is based on New Jersey averaging an 8.5% UI Trigger rate over a three-month period. It is not payable before November 8, 2009.
Extended Benefits (EB)
• EB provides up to an additional 13 weeks or 50% of an individual’s maximum benefit amount from their original unemployment insurance claim, whichever amount is less. New Jersey became eligible for EB effective March 15, 2009. The EB program ends when New Jersey’s total unemployment insurance rate averages less than 6.0% over a three-month period.
• Effective May 3, 2009, New Jersey qualified for High EB, which allows additional EB benefits. High EB increases the amount of EB benefits to 20 weeks or 80% of an individual’s maximum benefit amount from their original unemployment insurance claim, whichever amount is less. The High EB program ends when New Jersey’s total unemployment insurance rate averages less than 8.0% over a three-month period.
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EUC Tier 1 Details
History: Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) is a Federal extension that was effective July 6, 2008, with July 12, 2008 being the first payable week. EUC Tier 1 pays 20 weeks or 80% of the individual’s maximum benefit amount on their original unemployment insurance claim, whichever amount is less.
Requirements:
• Individuals must not be eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits in New Jersey, any other state or Canada;
• Individuals must have filed a valid unemployment insurance claim dated May 7, 2006 or later;
• Individuals must have had 20 base weeks of work (earning a minimum of $143) or earned 40 times their weekly benefit rate on their UI claim.
• Individuals must exhaust their regular unemployment insurance claim by benefit week ending December 19, 2009 in order to qualify for the EUC program.
Other: There is no need to apply for EUC Tier 1 benefits. Once an individual exhausts their regular unemployment insurance benefits, their EUC Tier 1 claim is automatically filed on their behalf by the Division of Unemployment Insurance.
Individuals with a balance on their EUC Tier 1 claim with benefit week ending December 26, 2009, may collect the remainder of these EUC Tier 1 benefits through June 5, 2010.
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EUC Tier 2 Details
History: Federal legislation in November 2008 expanded the EUC program to provide additional benefits to individuals exhausting their EUC Tier 1 benefits. EUC Tier 2 initially provided up to 13 weeks or 50% of the individual’s maximum benefit amount on their original unemployment insurance claim, whichever amount was less. However, on November 6, 2009, new federal legislation was signed into law, allowing an additional week of EUC Tier 2 benefits. EUC Tier 2 now provides 14 weeks or 54% of the individual’s maximum benefit amount on their original unemployment insurance claim, whichever amount is less. The additional week of EUC Tier 2 benefits is not payable for weeks prior to November 8, 2009. The UI trigger requirement for EUC Tier 2 was removed for this extension. These benefits are now available in all states.
Requirements:
• Individuals must not be eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits in New Jersey, any other state or Canada;
• Individuals must qualify for the EUC program and exhaust all EUC Tier 1 benefits;
• Individuals must exhaust their EUC Tier 1 claim by benefit week ending December 26, 2009 or earlier, in order to qualify for EUC Tier 2 benefits.
Other: There is no need to apply for EUC Tier 2 benefits. Once an individual exhausts their EUC Tier 1 benefits, their EUC Tier 2 claim is automatically filed on their behalf by the Division of Unemployment Insurance.
Individuals with a balance on their EUC Tier 2 claim with December 26, 2009, may collect the remainder of these EUC Tier 2 benefits through June 5, 2010.
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EUC Tier 3 Details
EUC Tier 3 is currently active in New Jersey effective November 8, 2009.
History: Federal legislation expanded the EUC program to provide additional benefits to individuals exhausting their EUC Tier 2 benefits. EUC Tier 3 provides 13 weeks or 50% of the individual’s maximum benefit amount on their original unemployment insurance claim, whichever amount was less. EUC Tier 3 benefits are not payable for weeks prior to November 8, 2009.
Requirements:
• Individuals must not be eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits in New Jersey, any other state or Canada;
• Individuals must qualify for the EUC program and exhaust all EUC Tier 2 benefits;
• Individuals must exhaust their EUC Tier 2 claim by benefit week ending December 26, 2009 or earlier, in order to qualify for EUC Tier 3 benefits;
• New Jersey’s total unemployment insurance rate must average 6.0% for a three-month period for EUC Tier 3 to “trigger-on”.
Other: There is no need to apply for EUC Tier 3 benefits. Once an individual exhausts their EUC Tier 2 benefits, their EUC Tier 3 claim is automatically filed on their behalf by the Division of Unemployment Insurance.
Individuals with a balance on their EUC Tier 3 claim as of benefit week ending December 26, 2009, may collect the remainder of these EUC Tier 3 benefits through June 5, 2010.
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EUC Tier 4 Details
EUC Tier 4 is currently active in New Jersey effective November 8, 2009.
History: Federal legislation expanded the EUC program to provide additional benefits to individuals exhausting their EUC Tier 3 benefits. EUC Tier 4 provides 6 weeks or 24% of the individual’s maximum benefit amount on their original unemployment insurance claim, whichever amount was less. EUC Tier 4 benefits are not payable for weeks prior to November 8, 2009.
Requirements:
• Individuals must not be eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits in New Jersey, any other state or Canada;
• Individuals must qualify for the EUC program and exhaust all EUC Tier 3 benefits;
• Individuals must exhaust their EUC Tier 3 claim by benefit week ending December 26, 2009 or earlier, in order to qualify for EUC Tier 4 benefits;
• New Jersey’s total unemployment insurance rate must average 8.5% for a three-month period for EUC Tier 4 to “trigger-on”.
Other: There is no need to apply for EUC Tier 4 benefits. Once an individual exhausts their EUC Tier 3 benefits, their EUC Tier 4 claim is automatically filed on their behalf by the Division of Unemployment Insurance.
Individuals with a balance on their EUC Tier 4 claim as of benefit week ending December 26, 2009, may collect the remainder of these EUC Tier 4 benefits through June 5, 2010.
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EB Details
EB is currently active in New Jersey effective March 15, 2009.
History: Extended Benefits (EB) is an unemployment insurance extension program that is 50% funded by New Jersey and 50% funded by the federal government. EB pays 13 weeks or 50% of the individual’s maximum benefit amount on their original unemployment insurance claim, whichever amount is less. In order for EB to become active, New Jersey had to have an unemployment insurance rate that averaged 6.0% over a three-month period. New Jersey triggered on EB effective March 15, 2009. In periods of high unemployment, EB can expand to High EB. (See High EB below).
In New Jersey, all EUC benefits must be paid prior to the payment of any EB benefits. Effective February 2009, as part of the stimulus bill, the federal government is funding 100% of EB benefits. This is set to expire January 1, 2010.
Requirements:
• Individuals must not be eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits in New Jersey, any other state or Canada;
• Individuals must have exhausted EUC Tier 2 benefits after March 15, 2009; or must not be eligible for another Tier of EUC benefits.
• Individuals must have had 20 base weeks of work (earning a minimum of $143) or earned 40 times their weekly benefit rate on their UI claim.
• If an individual was disqualified for misconduct or refused suitable work on their regular unemployment insurance claim or while collecting EUC benefits, the individual may be held disqualified for EB benefits, unless they have subsequently earned four times their weekly benefit rate to overcome this disqualification.
Other: Currently, there is no expiration date for EB benefits. If an individual is ineligible for any Tier of EUC benefits after December 26, 2009, the individual will still be eligible for EB benefits.
There is no need to apply for EB benefits. Once an individual exhausts their final available EUC benefits, an EB claim will be automatically filed on their behalf by the Division of Unemployment Insurance.
Note: Under EB law, the EB program is more stringent and more is expected of an individual claiming EB benefits. Due to stringent work search and availability requirements, an individual must submit proof of their work search each time they certify for benefits. UI staff reviews each work search to ensure that individual is actively seeking work. There are other requirements under EB law that must be met and maintained by an individual in order to remain eligible for EB benefits.
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High EB Details
High EB is currently active in New Jersey effective May 3, 2009.
History: High Extended Benefits (EB) expands Extended Benefits (EB) from 13 weeks or 50% of the individual’s maximum benefit amount to 20 weeks or 80% of the individual’s maximum benefit amount, whichever amount is less. In order for High EB to become active, New Jersey had to have an unemployment insurance rate that averaged 8.0% for a three-month period. New Jersey triggered on to High EB effective May 3, 2009.
In New Jersey, all EUC benefits must be paid prior to the payment of any EB benefits. In February 2009, as part of the stimulus bill, the federal government is funding 100% of EB benefits. This is set to expire January 1, 2010.
Requirements:
• Individuals must not be eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits in New Jersey, any other state or Canada;
• Individuals must have exhausted EUC Tier 2 benefits after March 15, 2009, or must not be eligible for another Tier of EUC benefits;
• Individuals must have had 20 base weeks of work (earning a minimum of $143) or earned 40 times their weekly benefit rate on their UI claim.
• If an individual was disqualified for misconduct or refused suitable work on their regular unemployment insurance claim or while collecting EUC benefits, the individual may be held disqualified for EB benefits, unless they have subsequently earned four times their weekly benefit rate to overcome this disqualification.
Other: Currently, there is no expiration date for EB benefits. If an individual is ineligible for any Tier of EUC benefits after December 26, 2009, the individual will still be eligible for EB benefits.
There is no need to apply for EB benefits. Once an individual exhausts their final available EUC benefits, an EB claim will be automatically filed on their behalf by the Division of Unemployment Insurance.
Note: Under EB law, the EB program is more stringent and more is expected of an individual claiming EB benefits. Due to stringent work search and availability requirements, an individual must submit proof of their work search each time they certify for benefits. UI staff reviews each work search to ensure that individual is actively seeking work. There are other requirements under EB law that must be met and maintained by an individual in order to remain eligible for EB benefits.
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FAC Details
History: Federal legislation established the Federal Additional Compensation (FAC) program, which provides an additional $25 benefit payment for any week claimed by an individual who is collecting regular unemployment insurance, EUC benefits (all tiers), EB benefits and TRA benefits. The FAC program was effective February 28, 2009. FAC benefits are issued separately. An individual must have filed a regular unemployment insurance claim as of December 20, 2009, in order to qualify for this weekly additional benefit. If an individual filed their claim December 20, 2009 or earlier, they can continue to collect FAC benefits through July 3, 2010.
Requirements:
• Individuals must have a regular UI claim dated December 20, 2009 or earlier;
• Individuals collecting ABT benefits or RTAA (ATAA) benefits are ineligible for this program.
Other: There is no need to apply for FAC benefits. FAC benefit checks are mailed once a week on Mondays.

