the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Trenton NJ, Senator Kristin Corrado today called on the Murphy Administration and Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo of the troubled New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development to address systemic failings within the department after a scathing evaluation by University of Chicago researchers.
Sen. Kristin Corrado is calling for revisions at the Department of Labor, including re-opening Unemployment Offices for in-person service, after a study concluded NJ is the worst state in the nation for residents seeking unemployment assistance.
In a comprehensive review of all 50 states, the team released a report Friday concluding that New Jersey is the worst state in the nation for residents seeking assistance with unemployment insurance and other programs.
“Unfortunately, I could have told them that without conducting the survey,” said Corrado (R-40). “New Jersey is the bottom of the barrel. It’s a disgrace, an embarrassment. Clearly the labor department’s priorities are coming up short, and New Jersey residents are suffering because of it.”
Researchers tested the response rates of each state, conducting a sampling of 2,000 calls for assistance. In New Jersey, less than 20 percent of those calls reached labor department representatives.
Every other state performed better, and researchers cited several states where more than 80 percent of calls were handled adequately.
“Those states have endured the same COVID-related hardships and challenges, but the results are dramatically different,” the Senator said.
“I have said it before: If the Department of Labor was a business, they would be out of business. This study proves what millions of people across New Jersey already knew. The department’s performance has been, and continues to be, abysmal,” continued Corrado.
“After almost a year and a half of sub-standard performance, it is time to re-evaluate procedures and do whatever is necessary to clean up the mess,” said Corrado.
Months ago, the Senator called on the Department of Labor and the Murphy administration to open unemployment offices for in-person sessions so unemployed workers can have their claims settled, and introduced legislation requiring the New Jersey’s walk-in unemployment offices, closed since the start of the pandemic, to reopen immediately.
“It’s an undeniable fact that New Jersey’s unemployment system continues to fail thousands of people who have been unable to resolve claims over the phone or through the website,” Corrado said in a release announcing the bill.
“Even with expanded call centers, people get stuck in an endless loop where they’re bounced around and nobody takes responsibility for resolving their claim. It’s a lot harder to do nothing when the person who needs help is sitting in a chair in front of you. That’s why we’ve been pushing so hard to force Governor Murphy to reopen government offices that serve the public.”
Now, as many residents have returned to work, unemployment fraud has become an unmanageable problem for the labor department.
“We have received hundreds of calls from constituents who remained on the job throughout the pandemic but discovered their identities had been hacked to place fraudulent claims,” Corrado said. “They are dismayed and angry when they learn they can’t call a number to report the fraud, and they will have to jump through hoops on the Department of Labor web site.
“New Jersey residents deserve better, and it is up to the Governor and the commissioner to figure out what other states are doing and make it happen here.”
It’s been 18 weeks waiting for claim to open … I have income to qualify for new claim but no one processes. Phone center is a joke; when you can get through to it. System is down again today. I have proof of looking for work along with letters from employers that some one else got the job. Worked 45 years!!!
Is there anyway to get through to NJUNemplyment??? We have been calling everyday since February 2021. And it hangs up on u. Haven’t gotten a check since February 2021 and I can’t get this resolved… someone out there help!!!
That’s true I not received my money sinceNovemberI
I have not received paid
That’s why need help please thank
I was laid off January 2 2021. I have called everyday for eight months and nothing. All they keep telling me 15 more days. I need help so bad. I have 2 daughters to raise and I got a call back to work. I start September 20.
Did you try calling new Jersey Department of labor. Email the governor’s office if you have to. I’m not sure what county you live in definitely make a trip to one of the officers, that sucks I would even try going to the town Hall where you live talk to somebody maybe they can help you anything.
You will not get through by phone. Remember. We are still in the record-breaking endless paid vacation for government employees.
Read some of these comments…
New Jersey is by far the biggest shithole in the country
My husband has been trying for the last 5 weeks to get through. This is one of the absolute worst experience we’ve had. I just don’t understand why there is no one responding, no matter when he calls and there seems to be no resolution to it. Something needs to happen there are to many people suffering
I have been in escalation since 4/20
I finally called Congressman Gottheimer..he called unemployment that was 2 weeks ago..will wait another week than call again
Ive been in escalation 3 times since March have not been paid a penny and have children to take care of. Wrote to the governor, district legislature, called unemployment once a week and nothing.This is sad I believe our claims are purposely being held up so that unemployment workers don’t have to go back to regular offices. If everything else can be open so can the unemployment offices.