Appeal Unemployment Insurance Decisions
Your Guide to Retaining Profits
Even when a person is awarded Unemployment Insurance benefits, there is a possibility that they will no longer be eligible. This may mean an elimination or reduction of benefits. However, you can still appeal by following these steps:
Step 1: Write a letter or fill out a form appeal en store.
A physical letter can be sent to the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, PO Box 907, Trenton, NJ 08625-0907, and a fax can be sent to 609-292-2438. Make sure your appeal includes your name, social security number or claimant ID, mailing address, telephone number, email address, and the reasons why you disagree with the determination. This appeal must be submitted within 21 days (approximately 3 weeks) after the determination was sent, and a copy must be kept. If the appeal is late, reasoning must be provided for the appeal showing good cause. Just cause would mean unforeseen circumstances that were beyond the individual's control and could not be prevented. Throughout this process, be sure to continue certifying benefits
Step 2: Register and attend the hearing.
By mail, the appellant will receive a Notice of Hearing containing the date, time, and manner of conduct of the hearing. Most of the time, the hearing will be held by telephone. In this case, the appellant must register for the hearing no later than 3:00 pm on the business day (Monday through Friday) before the hearing. It is best to register once the Notice of Hearing is received. One can register by phone or online. At the time of the hearing, the appellant will receive a telephone call from the Appeals Examiner. Be sure to answer the phone, or else it may be considered a lack of participation. To ensure you don't miss the call, disable features that can block unknown calls. An adjournment of the meeting may be requested if good cause is provided. If a former employer is appealing benefits awarded, the person receiving benefits will continue to receive them if they are determined to meet the eligibility criteria. However, if the ruling is in favor of the employer, the person receiving the benefits will be expected to repay a certain amount of the benefits.
Step 3: Wait for the decision to process.
This will take up to 7 days from the date the decision is sent. If the appellant has any questions, she should contact the Reemployment Call Center.
If you do not agree with the decision, you can appeal to the Review Board within 20 days (about 3 weeks) from the date the decision of the Courts of Appeal is sent. They can be contacted at the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, PO Box 937, Trenton, NJ 08625-0937. The Review Board's decision may also be appealed to the Appellate Division of the Superior Court of New Jersey, which can be reached at 609-815-2950 x54720.
It is important to stay informed about how to maintain Unemployment Insurance benefits. By doing so, one can be prepared to navigate any of these cases and adequately defend their rights to essential services.
Source: Unemployment Insurance: Your Rights and Responsibilities (nj.gov)
Source: Unemployment Insurance Division | Appeals (nj.gov)
Source: Unemployment Insurance Division | Register for an appeal hearing (nj.gov)
Source: Unemployment Insurance Division | Call a Reemployment Call Center (nj.gov)
Source: Unemployment Insurance Division | About the Review Board (nj.gov)