s2212

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senate Economic Growth Committee Chairman Raymond J. Lesniak and Senate Labor Committee Chairman Fred Madden which would require unemployment insurance appeals to be decided within 60 days – or else the applicant would receive the unemployment benefits for which they are appealing – was approved by the Labor Committee by a vote of 3-0, with two abstentions.

“Showing disdain for the unemployed, Chris Christie is making deserving New Jerseyans who lost their jobs wait six months to receive their unemployment benefits,” said Senator Lesniak, D-Union. “Never mind that the federal government requires – and previous administrations made sure – that unemployment appeals were decided within 45 days, and never mind the workers who lost their jobs paid into the unemployment trust fund during their employment. And never mind that the six month delay may cost the unemployed worker his home or health care insurance coverage, or force them to lose their car, force them to pull their kids from school, or force them into a position where their credit rating is all but destroyed.

“Governor Christie may not be concerned with the plight of unemployed New Jerseyans, but I’m concerned,” added Senator Lesniak. “S-2212 would require the State to make a determination on a person’s appeal within 60 days or pay unemployment benefits to the laid-off worker. Hopefully the New Jersey Department of Labor will take notice and do their job. They haven’t so far.”

TRENTON – Following up on their concern that the Unemployment Insurance appeals process is currently facing a six month backlog before cases are heard, Senator Raymond J. Lesniak, and Assemblywoman Annette Quijano today introduced legislation which would require the UI appeals division to rule on a case within 60 days – or else the applicant would receive the unemployment benefits for which they are appealing.

“For unemployed New Jerseyans, six months without UI benefits might as well be a lifetime,” said Senator Lesniak, D-Union. “Six months without income – whether from a job, or from the unemployment insurance program that all working New Jerseyans pay into – could lead to cars being repossessed, homes being foreclosed upon, and other financial crises for the person in question. This bill would require the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Division of Unemployment Insurance, to issue a decision within sixty days on UI appeals cases, so a person can either receive the unemployment benefits to which they’re entitled, or have closure on the issue.”

UNION – State Senator Raymond J. Lesniak and Assembly members Joe Cryan and Annette Quijano today blasted the Christie Administration over a six-month backlog within the Division of Unemployment Insurance for out-of-work New Jerseyans appealing the denial of unemployment benefits.

“It is inconceivable to us that unemployed New Jerseyans might have to wait six months to find out whether or not they qualify for benefits,” said Senator Lesniak, D-Elizabeth. “As New Jersey’s unemployment rate continues to be among the worst in the nation, there’s no excuse for understaffing in the Division of Unemployment Insurance, and there’s no excuse for six-month backlogs on appeals cases. Considering that most banks will begin a foreclosure action in 90 days of delinquency, for unemployed New Jerseyans to have to wait six months for an appeals decision is ridiculous.”