Bill to Correct Abuses in Unemployment Claims Procedures Submitted to Governor

On June 28, the Assembly and Senate submitted a bill (S1968) to Governor Chris Christie for his signature that would revise the unemployment insurance (UI) claims procedures to address certain abuses occurring in the UI system which often result in the improper delay or denial of UI benefits to laid off workers.

If Governor Christie signs this bill into law, changes to the unemployment law would include: a waiver from repayment of claim overpayments to faultless claimants; an increase in the amount of time for both employers and claimants to appeal initial claim determinations to seven calendar days after delivery of the notification or 10 calendar days after the notice is mailed; an increase in the amount of time for both employers and claimants to appeal final decisions to 20 days; and a detailed mechanism for the registration and regulation of authorized agents representing employers in UI claims. Additionally, an employer’s UI account will not be charged for the amount of an overpayment of benefits if the overpayment is caused by an error of the Division of Unemployment and Temporary Disability Insurance of the Department of Labor.