Senator Moriarty’s Unemployment Insurance Expansion Legislation is Now Law: Supporting More Workers

I’m proud to announce that my legislation to expand and reform New Jersey’s unemployment insurance system has been signed into law! This new law will make benefits more accessible to workers who have been unfairly excluded in the past and bring greater fairness to the system as a whole.

Here’s what’s changing:

1. Part-time workers – If you work multiple part-time jobs and lose one, you’ll now be able to receive unemployment benefits based on your total wages from all employers during the base year, not just the wages from your most recent job before the layoff. This change is especially significant for workers in industries like retail, hospitality, and other fields where part-time employment is common.

2. Caregivers – Parents caring for adult children with disabilities can now list them as dependents, which could result in higher benefits to better support their families.

3. Full-time students – Previously, full-time students were excluded from receiving unemployment benefits. Now, they’ll be eligible if they lose their jobs, acknowledging the growing number of students who also work full-time to support themselves.

These reforms address inequities in the system and provide much-needed relief for those who need it most. Unemployment insurance is a critical lifeline, and these changes reflect our commitment to supporting all New Jerseyans during challenging times.

If you have any questions or need assistance with unemployment insurance, please contact my office at 856-232-6700. We’re here to help.