TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator Shirley Turner to permit spouses of armed forces personnel who are forced to relocate outside of the State to collect unemployment benefits was signed into law today by Governor Jon S. Corzine.
“The life of a military family is one of sacrifice, as changing orders can force a family to regularly pick up and move to bases in other states and countries,” said Senator Turner, D-Mercer. “These moves can be terribly disruptive to their social and financial well-being and extending unemployment benefits to spouses affected by these moves can bring peace of mind to those who protect our nation.”
The bill, S-746/2104, provides that if a spouse of a member of the U.S. military is otherwise eligible in all respects to obtain unemployment benefits, then he or she may receive those benefits.
The bill was introduced to avoid the problem created when a member of the armed forces is ordered to move outside the State and the member’s spouse must quit their job as the family relocates. Current law prohibits the spouse from qualifying for unemployment insurance benefits because the separation from work was voluntary and without good cause attributable to the work.
” It is one of the most basic American values to keep families together and strong and now, more than ever, we must support our military families.,” added Senator Turner. “Our soldiers already face incredible challenges, both on and off the battlefield, and it is our duty on the home front to do everything possible so that these families don’t struggle every day just to make ends meet.”