(TRENTON) – Legislation Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein and Assemblyman Wayne P. DeAngelo sponsored to address abuses that lead to improper delay and denial or unemployment benefits for laid-off workers is now law.
“By providing incentives for the expeditious handling of unemployment claims, we’ll increase efficiency to the benefit of laid off workers and employers alike,” said Greenstein (D-Middlesex/Mercer). “Laid-off workers, whose unemployment insurance taxes have helped fund the benefit system, need to be treated with respect and helped as fast as possible.”
“Improper delays and denials to laid-off workers are an affront to the rights of every working class New Jersey family,” said DeAngelo (D-Mercer/Middlesex). “This should never happen, but especially in this difficult economy, and this bill puts a stop to it.”
The bill (A-2864) targets cases where employers or their authorized agents fail to submit information required under the UI law and then appeal only after a benefit determination is made, some times delaying benefit payments for a full year or more.
The waiver provided by the bill would only apply to the overpayments that occur before it has been determined that there is an overpayment. The benefit level would, as under current law, be reduced for all benefits paid after the determination of overpayment.
The bill would also increase, to 20 days the amount of time for both employers and claimants to appeal determinations, and require registration and regulation of authorized agents, including agents representing employers, in UI claims.
The bill provides that failure of an authorized agent to correct repeated violations of the requirements of the bill and the current UI law after notification of the violations may lead to suspension and, if continued, will lead to revocation of the registration.
The bill was signed on Oct. 27.
