NJ Unemployment South Jersey Claims Department

Calling the NJ unemployment line is a very frustrating process. It's certainly not user-friendly and requires you to listen to a lot of directory lists. What is worse, if you don't answer quickly enough, it just hangs up on you. As a note, it doesn't give you very much time at all, and I was hung up on multiple times. Therefore, if you really want to talk to someone, make sure you press the number of your selection as soon as you hear it. Otherwise, forget it.

When I first called it told me to continue in English, press 1, and for Spanish, press 2. I chose English, and the recorded message said, "You have reached the reemployment call center." Then, it told me that the unemployment center was closed, but I could still reach the inquiry center by pressing 2. I wasn't sure what the difference was but went ahead and pressed 2. 

It just kept ringing and a voice message eventually said that there were technical difficulties and I should try again later. Then, it hung up on me. I was a bit miffed, as it had hung up on me twice at this point, so I called back and tried again. This time it went through and said, "Welcome to the NJ Department of Workforce Development." Once again it told me to continue in English, press 1. For Spanish, I was told to press 2. 

I pressed 1, and it said that detailed information about unemployment and disability insurance can be found on the website www.nj.gov.labor. It then led me to a new directory and said, "For unemployment insurance information, press 1. For disability information, press 2. For information about job training programs, press 3."

I was attempting to find out if I could go to a job training program and still keep my disability, so I chose option 3. Then, I was told, "For information about jobs available, press 1. For information about job training programs, press 2." I chose the second option and had yet another set of options to navigate. The phone call was over eight minutes at this point and it still wasn't done.

The recorded voice then launched the next directory, "For information about job training programs, press 1. For information about tuition waivers, press 2. For information about the self-employed, press 3. For information about training under the program, press 4."

I chose 1, and then I had to listen to a recorded message that stated, "You may be able to collect unemployment benefits while attending a full-time training program that is approved by the NJ Department of Labor. A state counselor at the One Stop department must approve your training program before you begin receiving the benefits. If you are interested in training, training grants, or other opportunities, contact a One Stop career center."

Finally, it stated that to locate a One Stop career center, press or say 1, but to speak with an agent, press 0. I was excited to finally have the chance to talk to an agent. The recorded message said, "Please hold while we transfer your call," and then, it hung up on me. Needless to say, I didn't call back. A wasted 10 minutes of my life I'll never get back.