The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development
reviews and complaints

I am trying to claim my benefits and cannot get through on the phone at all, my claim keeps saying "pended" I finally got through this morning and "Delilah" Just kept saying I need to check my email, I explained over and over I never received an email, she didn't want to listen, then she said she would talk to a supervisor and call me back and didn't call back until 4:40 pm and said the same thing again, when AGAIN I tried to explain I didn't receive an email, she said "well you have to try" And hung up on me!

I filed a claim back in September and have got nothing but the run around from this department. I asked for a hardship to be noted on my records because my children and I are great risk of becoming homeless. Still nothing has been done. I have been calling for several weeks and also asked to speak with a supervisor, all they do is hand up! This has got to stop!

I filed my initial unemployment claim on 8/11/19, I received my letter stating that claim was accepted along with the amount that was approved to me. Every time I filled my claim online on Sunday, I would continuously get the message that my claim can not be processed and that I will be given a credit. I called multiple times regarding this issue. Eventually, when I spoke with someone, I was advised that I had an upcoming phone appointment and that I needed to do additional documentation, which was to be received via email. I advised the representative that they were done before my call, she looked into the system and saw that they were completed., the same day they were sent. She advised me someone would be reaching out to me to continue the process. weeks went by. Eventually, I received an email from a claims adjuster stating "she will be working on my claim" throughout a week she and I were communicating via email, mind you extremely unprofessional. She asked me the reason for leaving ext. I provided her with the proper documentation, and letters from my previous employer stating that I was eligible for my unemployment. Weeks went by, and I never heard from her, followed up with her to see the status, she responded "if it was approved you will receive a lump sum, or an appeal letter GOOD LUCK" first off, that is EXTREMELY unprofessional. I replied to her asking if my claim was approved, she replied via email " I am no longer working on your claim, and to please appeal" I wrote back to her she stated that I did not meet "good cause" mind you, I provided her with all the documentation, and proof of good cause. She misunderstood me, and due to her lack of knowledge, and proper work ethic, I have to go through the appeal process. A few days later, I received four letters that were contradictory, two of them saying approved for benefits, and two stating denials, all four dated the same day. This can only prove her incompetence. My life has been hectic since then, I have contacted an attorney to attend my appeal hearing which is scheduled at the end of October. If she cared about her job and listened to what was said to her, and read what was provided, I would not be in this situation. As a working US citizen we pay into unemployment why is it so difficult to receive something that YOU PAY FOR?! I have all the proof of back and forth emails, documentation of approval/denial all of which I would be more than happy to provide anyone at a supervisor status. I can guarantee that if she was in my shoes, this would have never happened. I am at the point where I am going to take my complaint to our state representative. I do hope that I am reached out to, I would like to resolve this issue, it's unjust nor fair. Today is 9/22/19 and I still have not received any benefits, my initial claim was on 8/11/19 and my appeal is at the end of October, yet I have to claim every Sunday. This all could have been avoided if she knew how to do her job.

I lost my job due to a layoff the last week in June. I immediately applied for my unemployment benefits. On July 3rd, I received an email requesting more information about my claim. I sent in the information the same day and was able to certify for benefits. A couple of days later, I received a probationary partial week through direct deposit. Since then, I have claimed benefits weekly and each time receive a message that I cannot be paid at this time since they are still reviewing my application. I've called the phone number 3 times to try to get answers. After my first call, I was told I should get an answer by the end of that week. After not hearing anything, I called a second time and was told any claims from before a certain date were taking 5 weeks to process. I called again today and was told there is a backlog and because I worked for a Board of education, my claim takes longer. I've been unemployed for 7 weeks at this point, actively looking for work. It is absurd it takes this long for people to get benefits that they paid into to in order to help in tough times.

I received a call about my unemployment claim from a claim examiner and I was treated every rudely... I was spoken to as if I was a con artist... To the point I cried! The examiner treated me as if my story was made up... And spoke to me like I was a criminal... I explained to him what happened to me when I was fired and he acted like my story was false... Tell me what the employer had said disregarding my story... I never felt so discriminated in my life!

today on December 14, 2018 I called your unemployment claim number, 201.601.4100 and after being prompt I requested the call back. Finally after 2 hours I got the call back which I was told would happen in 24 minutes, but that's not the compliant. my compliant is the representative was down right rude and hung up, her name was marge she was no help. I as human being and as a customer service representative would never, ever speak to someone in that tone or hang up on someone. I was extremely polite to her as I was brought up to be. you guys need to hire people that actually care, like I do when I get calls. this is not acceptable for a person who pays state taxes and property taxes. treat people better.

Worked 31 straight years, company sold and now unemployed.

Each time I have a question, I have to get in my car and drive 10 miles each way to try to get an answer. No one answers their phone nor do they call back. While there, standing behind the red line, waiting to be helped, the person who is to ask "can I help you?" is chatting with another employee (personal stuff) and simply ignores me.

Who manages these people? Why are they not helpful and rude? Why are they employed? They should be standing behind "red line"...Not Me!

On April 13th 2018 I was let go from work because of changes being made. I immediately filed for unemployment. I received a notice week later a interview had to be scheduled because i could have been let go for misconduct, which is in accurate. I called my former employer and had ask if there was going to be an issue with receiving benefits and was told there should be no issues. So now had to wait till May 8th 2018 for phone interview at 2:20. After waiting by phone all day i finally received call at 3:00. I was asked reason for termination and told them because of changes "going in a different direction" interviewer then stated he would call HR no answer if there was a different reason for termination he would call me Friday for my rebuttal, (3 days later). No phone call Friday, so I followed up a week later. I called first thing in morning and answering service said would call me back in 2 hrs. After 2hrs spoke to someone and was told no determination was given yet. I wait another week and was given the round around that people get sick and could delay process( I will tell my kid cant feed him because someone is sick and no other person can take over) ridicules. Its been over a month and i finally get number to commissioner office and made complaint. I was told they don't know why i was given there number when was told that would be the place to complain and get results. Spoke to assistant commissioner and said he would reach out and find out what's going on and would call me back that was yesterday morning May 22 2018 he never called back I called him back in afternoon to follow up. He said he didn't forget about me, that he reached out to department and manager and has not received a call back he would call me next day. Surprise! no phone call back so i call and now he was very dismissive as was the interviewer. I cannot believe how they are capable of messing with peoples lives it is extremely frustrating and gives me anxiety. Shame on them, luckily i had some money saved to get me by but guess what that has been exhausted. I just cant understand why when i am deducted from my wages for unemployment they make this impossible process.

I have been collecting Unemployment for the past two winters because my work is seasonal. I just started with a new company about 4 months ago, for a higher rate of pay. Around this time, for the past two years, my hours would be cut in half and I would start collecting partial unemployment and transition into the winter and collecting full time unemployment. Today I attempted to claim for the first time over the phone and had to wait for a call back from an agent. I thought, "OK, no problem, because I have wages to claim, they must want to talk to me and make sure everything is kosher.". Eventually, I received the call-back and spoke to an agent who's name I couldn't understand. He started out fairly polite, but once he saw my rate of pay his demeanor did a total 180 and I felt as though I was being treated like a scam artist. I couldn't get a word in edgewise and felt that this man was speaking down to me. Any time I tried to speak he raised his voice and repeated himself. I eventually had to end the conversation because I could see it was getting me nowhere. I was left with multiple unanswered questions and a feeling of being cheated. I put money into NJ Unemployment with every paycheck so that, when my hours are minimal, regardless of my rate of pay, I can collect. If I am wrong, I'd like someone to at least explain why in a more professional manner. The worst part is, who can you complain to about the government? No one. I highly doubt that this complaint will get anywhere, I do regret not asking for the agents name who "helped" me but, if nothing else, this can voice a concern that I'm sure is plaguing many of you: unprofessionalism and unaccountability in the unemployment office.

I first filed for unemployment the day I was laid off, 4/15/2011. I received notification by mail that my first date to file a claim would be 4/27. I filed as directed - but then my employer sent me a severance check I wasn't expecting (I thought it was included in my last paycheck). NJ Dept of Labor then denied my claim. I talked to a claims examiner and was told to fax my final severance check to Claims Examiner Kyepez or K Yepez, which I did.

It has been over three weeks and my claim is still not resolved - I've called every number in the guide they provide to job seekers, plus I've emailed every email address listed on the Department of Labor's website. I at last spoke to a live person yesterday who said I had to call yet another number this morning at 8:30 - It's now 2 pm and I have yet to have the phone answered - it either rings and rings or is busy.

I have a combined claim of wages earned in both PA and NJ, but file directly through NJ. I dont understand how they can cut off someones benefits with NO NOTICE due to an error on THEIR end. It came time for me to file an extension, and I did, filling out the necessary information (though it did take me almost a week to be able to speak to a live representative- their phone lines consistently advice you to call back, and when you finally do get through, you wait on hold for an hour and then one of their various RUDE reps will not only hang up on you, . but laugh before they do it!) Anyway, the issue at hand is that the NJ office messed up when processing my extension, and a few months later, abruptly stopped my ability to claim with absolutely NO NOTICE. After another week of trying to get thru, the lady on the phone informs me that I was OVERPAID and I owe money. I informed her that I knew this was not the case, but she very unprofessionally argued with me, and i asked for a supervisor. She put me on hold, then can back 15 minutes later and told me that a letter was coming to me in the mail explainning everything. I asked what the letter was regarding, and she saif "Im not allowed to tell you" ? What in the name ., .. I had to call PA unemployment to figure out that NJ was in error, but in the meantime, I have to wait until I get a letter that for all I know is not coming.. Ive been a month without any funds already, and this is just a tip of the issue that I am having with their services.