New Jersey’s unemployment insurance pays out for only half of the state’s population who are out of work, according to a new report from the nonprofit Center for Popular Democracy.
While that leaves behind more than 700,000 people, the center said New Jersey remains one of the few states that provides unemployment insurance to half of people who are eligible.
“If there’s something illegal going on at a workplace, say, they’re having their wages stolen … [or] there is a threat to their health and safety, they’re able to leave that workplace and have a good reason, a good chance of being able to submit an effective claim,” said Francisco Diez, a senior policy strategist at the nonprofit.
The state’s Department of Labor recently overhauled its unemployment website, which the center said makes it easier for people to find out if they’re eligible and fill out claims.
“One of the drivers of this department is to provide equitable access, and we work hard to reach some of the most vulnerable populations,” said Julie Diaz, the department’s deputy commissioner. “Our work through the community partners is doing a lot of that in reaching workers and ensuring that eligible workers are receiving benefits.”
