NJ Unemployment Customer Service

Calling this number was a tale of two situations, as I initially had a pleasant experience with the automated system before following up with one of the worst customer service experiences I'd ever had. 

When I dialed this number, I got a message saying that this was the information line for the New Jersey Labor Department and I would be able to get information through the automated system. If I still had questions after going through the automated system, I could speak to a representative.

I was first asked if I was an employer or worker, and I selected worker. I then selected general information about unemployment on the next menu and asked for information about how to apply for benefits. The system then offered me several options for information, and I selected how much I needed to earn to be eligible for unemployment.

The system told me I would need to earn $260 a week for 20 weeks or $13,000 in the past 52 weeks to qualify for unemployment. It further said that I would need to file a claim to get a final decision on whether I was eligible for unemployment. I then asked for information about how much I could receive each week, and I was told I'd receive roughly 60% of my weekly wages for the duration of my unemployment period.

The system continued to explain that the maximum weekly benefit rate for the calendar year of 2023 was $830. If my benefits fell short of this number, I could increase the amount that I received by filing for dependency benefits if I were eligible. With most of my questions being answered, I next opted to speak to a representative to ask how long I could get benefits for.

After a wait of about seven minutes, I was connected to a representative, who asked me to provide my name, Social Security number and claim information. Not wanting to give this information, I attempted to say I was only looking for information about how long I could get benefits for. She rudely cut me off and asked if I was a call-back number. I said no, and she asked how I had gotten to her and what numbers I had dialed.

I told her I'd hit 0 to speak to a representative, and she said again rudely that I needed to provide my name and Social Security number so as not to waste time. I hung up the phone, as she clearly was not going to provide any help without my having a genuine claim.

Overall, I thought the automated system was helpful, but the person on the other end of the phone was anything but. I get that she might be having a busy day, but that's no excuse for badgering someone who's looking for information and might not be ready to provide personal identification details. Based on this interaction, I wouldn't want to use this phone number unless absolutely necessary.