A week after the state Labor Department started taking complaints, officials have received nearly 380 reports of workplace violations of the governor's executive order.
Senators question state labor commissioner on the pandemic response by the unemployment system but are sympathetic to the surge swamping an old system.
Weekly earnings are greater for those who make use of these programs, and the eligibility period has moved from six to 12 weeks for those who need to care for a loved one.
Employees in New Jersey who feel their health is at risk when at work due to a lack of COVID-19 protections can refuse to work and still receive unemployment benefits.
Signs of stabilization: Initial claims fell to a nine-week low and continued claims declined – substantially, in fact – for the first time during the pandemic.
Nearly $800 million in benefits were paid out in New Jersey last week. New filings include 51,000 from gig workers and 70,000 for traditional benefits.