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Rapid Response- Layoff Presentation
- 1. Print CLEARLY toensure speedy processing Please Complete the Confidential Registration Form in your Packets & Sign-In on the sheets provided While Waiting for the Presentation to begin … RR Event #: 2014 XXXX
- 2. RAPID RESPONSE HELPSRAPIDRESPONSE HELPS
- 3. How does RapidResponse help?How does Rapid Response help? By helping you navigate Unemployment Insurance (UI) Getting you started on your job search
- 4. Step One: Filingyour UI claimStep One: Filing your UI claim How do I file a claim?How do I file a claim? On the Internet , go to the jobs4jersey.com website: or by telephone Contact a Reemployment Call Center
- 5. Need help translatinginto another language?Need help translating into another language? Click on the Select Language upside down triangle (drop-down) and choose your language. The website will be translated; but it could take a few moments to load
- 6. Before filing,Before filing, makesure youmake sure you have…have… Name, address and telephone number of all employers you worked for during the past 18 months Drivers license, Social Security Number or Alien Registration Number (if you are not a citizen) Union information: local number & address Begin/end dates and reason for job separation
- 7. When filing aclaim…When filing a claim… …be prepared to create a 4-digit PIN (personal identification number); and, if you file online a user name and password …provide dependency information, if you aren’t already entitled to the maximum benefit …consider having federal taxes withheld from your unemployment claim and forwarded to the Internal Revenue service to help offset your tax liability since unemployment benefits are subject to federal income taxes …provide your bank account information, if you choose direct deposit
- 8. What are mychoices?What are my choices? Direct Deposit Debit Card Have your benefits deposited directly into your designated financial institution checking or savings account Use at any Bank of America with no fees, but be careful using the Debit Card elsewhere since you could be charged a fee or
- 9. TTo file online,you MUSTo file online, you MUST Be a United States resident Have worked in NJ for the past 18 months To file online, you MUST NOTTo file online, you MUST NOT Have worked for the federal government or served in the military for the past 18 months Have worked for a maritime employer in the past 18 months Currently be disabled and unable to work File Online @http://jobs4jersey.comFile Online @http://jobs4jersey.com Click on the Blue – “File Here” button to get started…..
- 10. Filing by TelephoneFilingby Telephone Reemployment Call CentersReemployment Call Centers Northern Union City (201) 601 – 4100 Central Freehold (732) 761 – 2020 Southern Cumberland (856) 507 – 2340 If you live outside of New Jersey: (888) 795 – 6672
- 12. Step Two: Areyou eligible?Step Two: Are you eligible? To be eligible for unemployment benefits you must meet one of the following requirements: 1. You must have worked at least 20 base weeks at $145 during a 52-week period (or base year) in covered employment or 2. Must have earned $7,300 during your base period
- 13. Let’s break thisdown…Let’s break this down… What’s the base year? …it’s the first four calendar quarters of the last five completed calendar quarters before the date of your claim What’s covered employment? …services performed by an individual for pay unless specifically prohibited by UI law or regulation
- 14. If your claimis dated in: Your claim is based on employment from: January 2014 February 2014 March 2014 October 1, 2012 to September 30, 2013 April 2014 May 2014 June 2014 January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013 July 2014 August 2014 September 2014 April 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014 October 2014 November 2014 December 2014 July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014 Your regular base year period consists of 52 weeks that is determined by the date of your claim.
- 15. Visit ourwebsite and use our Benefits CalculatorBenefits Calculator: http://lwd.state.nj.us/uiapp/start.html Your total benefits are based on your earned wages and the number of weeks worked (up to 26 weeksup to 26 weeks) Step Three: Calculating YourStep Three: Calculating Your BenefitsBenefits If you worked for less than 26 weeks during the base year, your benefits will reflect your actualactual number of weeksnumber of weeks worked Usually, your benefits are 60%60% of your average weekly before-tax wages during the base year
- 16. If you don’tqualify for the maximum weekly benefit rate, you may qualify for up to an additional 15% in benefits if: Your spouse or civil partner be unemployed the first week you file You have children or are a single parent Maximize Your BenefitsMaximize Your Benefits
- 17. Severance orBonus PaySeverance or Bonus Pay Vacation or Sick days, HolidaysVacation or Sick days, Holidays Social Security BenefitsSocial Security Benefits Pension paymentsPension payments from employers outside of the base year Payments that do not affectPayments that do not affect your benefits…your benefits…
- 18. Payments that affectPaymentsthat affect your benefitsyour benefits If you take cash out of your 401K retirement or qualifying pension plan while collecting unemployment, your benefits will be reduced If you have the federal tax of 10% withheld, your benefits will be reduced now as opposed to having to pay the taxes the next tax year If your employer is required to give you notice, but chose, instead, to give you “payment in lieu of notice,” you must wait until those payments end to file for benefits CAUTION!!!CAUTION!!!
- 19. It’s agood idea to work part-time during your job search; it extends your eligible benefit period for up to one year By working part-time, your earnings will be deducted from your partial weekly benefit rate (PWBR), which is 20% more than your weekly benefit rate So, if you are still searching for full-time work when your benefits would have ended, you will continue to receive benefits until all the money deferred because of the part- time work is gone Working Part-TimeWorking Part-Time
- 20. You mustbe ableable, availableavailable and actively seekingactively seeking employmentemployment You may be asked to provide documentation about your job search efforts You will need contact unemployment to recertifyrecertify your benefits every two weeksyour benefits every two weeks via the phone or weeklyweekly via the internet by answering seven questions Step Four: Remaining EligibleStep Four: Remaining Eligible
- 21. And the questionsare…And the questions are… 1. Were you able to work? 2. Were you available to work? 3. Were you actively seeking work? 4. Did you refuse a suitable job? 5. Did you receive any of the following types of payment this week: vacation, holiday, sick days, severance? 6. Are you receiving or have you applied for a pension other than retirement pay (not including social security benefits) from an employer included in your claim? (If yes, to question 6, has there been any change in the amount of your pension since you last applied for benefits?) 7. Did you work during the week(s) claimed?
- 22. All unemploymentclaims begin on the Sunday of the week in which you filed It is your responsibility to file promptly after your layoff. Unemployment benefits are not retroactive and you will not be paid for weeks prior to the date you filed. If you miss your filing day and fail to file within the seven day period, you will lose your benefits for the week you did not file About your claimAbout your claim
- 23. Jump start yourjob search…Jump start your job search… develop connectionsdevelop connections
- 24. …uses state-of-the-art technologyto help you quickly connect to jobs, training, education and job-search resources
- 25. Now, take thenext stepNow, take the next step in your job searchin your job search with….with…. … Simply upload an existing resume or create a new one Get better job leads Customize your job leads Think outside of the box
- 26. Once you’ve gottenyourself off to a good start by posting your resume and searching Approach your job search like any other job: Set goals Dedicate particular hours every day And take a break every once in a while Remember,Remember, looking for a job IS a FULL-TIME joblooking for a job IS a FULL-TIME job
- 27. It’s time tojoin –It’s time to join – …joining a Jersey Job Club at your local One-Stop Career Center gives you the tools and support you need to find a job To get involved in the Jersey Job Club, just register online at:
- 28. Joining a JerseyJobJoining a Jersey Job Club helps you…Club helps you… …Get the personal attention and support you need to conduct a successful job search …Grow your network through shared experiences, support, and feedback from fellow jobseekers …Identify, create, and act on job opportunities you might not have known existed otherwise
- 29. Increase your existingjob search skills or develop new skills through a variety of workshops with guest speakers that speak on a range of topics relating to your regional labor market including: Learn about the job opportunities in New Jersey’s key industry sectors from speakers who represent New Jersey’s Talent Networks and connect New Jersey employers with trained employees.
- 30. Talent Networks area strategic partnership of employers, educators and workforce development professionals working together to strengthen the workforce in specific key industry sectors: Advanced Manufacturing Financial Services Health Care Life Sciences Retail, Hospitality and Tourism Technology and Entrepreneurship Transportation, Logistics, and Distribution
- 31. How can TalentNetworks help you?How can Talent Networks help you? Talent Networks help you connect by: Providing reemployment information, tools and opportunities Hosting networking events Providing sector-specific workshops at local Jersey Job Clubs Providing materials and job aides
- 32. Visit aVisit aOne-Stop Career CenterOne-Stop Career Center Here, you can access all of the state’s job-searching services – at no cost to you. The One-Stop Career Center is a partnership of government, community-based and educational institutions, working together, to help you get the skills you need to find and keep a job.
- 33. Help youdevelop your job search action plan by reviewing your education and work history and help to match your skills to jobs available in your area; Provide guidance in exploring occupations that best utilize your existing job skills; Assess your skills and, if necessary, discuss training options; and Refer you to support services to make getting and keeping a job easier. Speak with one of our dedicated careerSpeak with one of our dedicated career counselors who will:counselors who will:
- 34. a training programto secure the skills you need to succeed your high school equivalency diploma You may be eligible to enroll in…You may be eligible to enroll in… Prepare for…Prepare for… your reading, writing and math skills Freshen up…Freshen up…
- 35. Network! Network! Network! …utilizingwebsites such as LinkedIn, Twitter or Facebook to connect with people in your field …start a blog to highlight your expertise expertise And don’t forget …And don’t forget …
- 36. Thank you fortaking the time today to learn about the programs and services available to you On behalf of the New JerseyOn behalf of the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce DevelopmentDepartment of Labor and Workforce Development
Editor's Notes
- #2 Please Complete the Confidential Registration Form in your Packets & Sign-In on the sheets provided Print CLEARLY to ensure speedy processing By filling out these forms, it will speed the process for you not only receiving Unemployment Benefits, but when you sit with an employment counselor, you will already be in their system and so they can immediately start talking to you about the different options available to you.
- #3 Rapid Response Helps is brought to you by: The NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development We are here to help make this transition a less daunting experience
- #4 [How does RR help?] By helping you navigate Unemployment Insurance (UI) With all the different steps involved in filing an UI claim, we understand the process may seem confusing – so it’s our hope this tutorial helps [Getting started on your job search…] With today’s competitive job market as competitive – it takes more than a great cover letter and resume to get a job The tools outlined today will increase your chances of getting a job
- #5 [Step One – Filing Your unemployment claim] How do I file a claim? There are two ways you can file – on the internet by logging onto www.jobs4jersey.com Click on the Blue – “File Here” button to get started….. Or by telephone by contacting a reemployment call center
- #6 Need help translating into another Language? Click on the Select Language upside down triangle (drop-down) and choose your language. 2. A box will pop up with available languages….click on the language you need. 3. The website will be translated; but it could take a few moments to load
- #7 It’s important to be organized – before you attempt to sign up for your benefits. This slide lists the documents you need to successfully file for unemployment. If you don’t have the exact dates for your beginning and ending dates, give an estimate. They are really looking for a month and year. The actual “day” of the month isn’t critical.
- #8 Based upon the last four digits of your Social Security number, you will be assigned to either be a Monday or Tuesday person for certification of your benefits. The easiest way to ensure you file for recertification is to either put a calendar on your refrigerator with the days/dates clearly marked or put it in your Smart Phone. Every two weeks, you’ll be asked to recertify that you are able, available and actively seeking work.
- #9 [What are my choices?] – Direct Deposit or Debit Card. The choice is yours as we no longer issues unemployment checks With Direct deposit, your benefits are sent directly o your checking or savings account – you choose where If you use the debit card option, you’ll receive a debit card you can use at any Bank of America office or ATM without incurring fees - but be careful using it elsewhere since you could be charged a fee Your debit card will arrive in an unmarked envelope, so be careful to open all your mail when you are filing for unemployment so you don’t accidentally throw it away
- #10 [Filing online at http://jobs4jersey.com] – Click on the Blue – “File Here” button to get started….. When filing on line set aside at least 30 minutes to complete the process To file online, you must be a united states resident and have worked in NJ for the past 18 months If you live outside of NJ call 1-888-795-6672 To file online, you MUST NOT: Have worked for the federal government or served in the military for the past 18 months Have worked for a maritime employer in the last 18 months Currently be disabled and unable to work
- #11 [Filing by telephone] – When filing by telephone, please use a land line – not a cell phone because if your call is dropped – it could disrupt your claim. If you don’t have a land line, you can file by phone at any One-Stop Career Center. In Northern Jersey, call: 201-601-4100 In Central Jersey, call: 732-761-2020 and In South Jersey, call: 856-507-2340
- #12 [Protecting your identify] We take your privacy very seriously and have set up safeguards to ensure you are the person filing for benefits. You will be asked at least three multiple choice questions taken from public records that only YOU could answer correctly… like the make/model was of your first car or you may be given three addresses and asked which of the addresses is one where you lived years ago… If you can’t answer the questions correctly or if you don’t answer, you must report in-person at your local One-Stop Career Center. The Division of Unemployment Insurance will mail you information on where to report and documentation needed to verify your identity
- #13 To be eligible for unemployment benefits, you must meet one of the following requirements: You must have worked at least 20 base weeks at $145 during a 52-week period (or base year) in covered employment or you must have earned $7,300.
- #14 What’s the base year? …it’s the first four calendar quarters of the last five completed calendar quarters before the date of your claim For example… ….if you file your claim in either January, February or March of 2014 – your claim will be based on employment from October 1, 2012 to September 30th of 2013
- #16 [Step 3: calculating your benefits] Your total benefits are based on your earned wages and the number of weeks worked (up to 26 weeks) Generally, for every week you worked during your base year period, you may be entitled to a week of benefits, up to a maximum of 26 weeks. If you worked less than 26 weeks, you may be eligible for benefits for the actual number of weeks you worked Usually your benefits are 60% of your average weekly before tax wages during the base year. In 2014, the maximum is $636; this is an increase of $12 over the previous rate.
- #17 If the answer is “YES” to these questions, you need to request Dependency Benefits and provide proof (mail it in) within six weeks For children to qualify: They must be 19 or under or 22 or younger and attending full-time school and be unemployed, unmarried and living with you Information will be mailed to you explaining this process further, including the type of proof needed to qualify
- #18 Payments that do not affect your benefits… Severance or Bonus Pay Vacation or Sick days, Holidays Social Security Benefits Pension payments from employers outside of the Base Year
- #19 [Actions that could reduce your benefits:] If you take cash out of your 401K retirement or qualifying pension plan while collecting unemployment, your unemployment benefits will be reduced If you choose to have the federal tax of 10% withheld, your benefits are reduced now as opposed to having to pay them the next tax year Payment in Lieu of Notice is considered to be an extension of employment, so filing before this ends will result in your claim being cancelled All of this is detailed on page 19 of your blue book
- #20 Right now, the most unemployment benefits you are eligible to receive is 26 weeks. It used to be that people received UI for as long as 99 weeks, but those extensions are all gone. There’s no guarantee the feds will reinstate them. That’s why we strongly encourage you to look for part-time work. It helps put you back out there, gives you a current job history, and can extend your unemployment benefits to up to a year. [Part-Time work information is on page 14 of the blue book.]
- #21 This means you cannot be out-of-state visiting family or on vacation. You can’t be too sick to work, or have transportation or childcare problems. You need to be able to demonstrate, if asked, that you have been looking for work and haven’t turned down suitable work.
- #22 The seven Yes/No questions are: Were you able to work? This means you were physically able to take a position and not too sick to work Were you available to work? You are in-town, not on vacation, and have no childcare issues Were you actively seeking work? You were sending out resumes, calling employers and/or interviewing with at least 3 per week. (You could be asked to report in and provide proof; if you register for Jobs4Jersey and conduct your search that way, you’ll avoid being called in.) Did you refuse a suitable job? Suitable is a salary within 20% of your past salary, within a reasonable commuting distance and in the scope of your most recent job. Did you receive any of the following types of payments this week: vacation, holiday, sick days, severance? Do not say “yes” if the payments you received for vacation and such were received prior to the end of your employment. If you do, your claim could be delayed by several weeks. Are you receiving or have you applied for a pension other than retirement pay (not including social security benefits) from an employer included in your claim? (If yes, to question 6, has there been any change in the amount of your pension since you last applied for benefits? If you are receiving pension benefits from an employer who you worked for within the last 18 months, this will affect your UI benefits. (It will lower your benefits. For more information, please contact UI.) Did you work during the week(s) claimed? If you answer “yes,” two additional questions will be asked: how many hours did you work and how much money did you earn (before taxes)? Based upon your answer, the system will calculate your new amount for that week. You will not lose any money; it will simply be delayed to a later week.
- #23 All unemployment claims begin on the Sunday of the week in which you filed Benefits can not be paid before the actual date of your layoff or for any week(s) before you file If you file early, your claim will be cancelled If you miss your filing day and fail to file within the seven day period, you will lose your benefits for the week you did not file
- #24 Now that I’ve given you an overview of the Unemployment Benefits process, I’d like to talk to you a little bit about the OTHER side of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. We do a lot MORE than simply process your unemployment claims…. We are a full-service organization dedicated to helping you find your next career opportunity.
- #25 This website is unique in that it serves not only you– the jobseeker, but also employers. We currently have over 12,500 employers using our website to surf for qualified job candidates. Each day, employers are contacting Jobs4Jersey jobseekers about job openings. NOTE: This information will need to be regularly updated, if you choose to use it.
- #26 We currently have over 12,500 employers using our website to surf for qualified job candidates for more than 190,000 jobs in New Jersey or within a 50 mile radius of our borders. There are over 320,000 people, like you, who have registered and are using our resume-building tools and our job-search engine to look for their next career opportunity.
- #27 It takes an average of nine months to find a new job– up to 24 months for those with salaries in the higher ranges ($100,000 and above) So, don’t wait to get started… Connect with anyone who can help you with your search such as current or past colleagues and supervisors; former professors, teachers, instructors or coaches Volunteer for a charitable organization or event where you can directly demonstrate your positive qualities Ask for an informational interview with people in companies or fields where you would like to work
- #28 There are 23 local job clubs throughout the state. With the job market as competitive as it is today….we all know it takes more than a great cover letter and resume to get “THE job.” It often takes having someone who can vouch for you….that’s what the Jersey Job Clubs are about…. To date, we have more than 33,000 people using the Jersey Job Clubs.
- #29 Jersey Job Club members receive personal attention and support; help developing job search skills (workshops); networking opportunities and information about growth industries….and job leads Club members share tips and leads about jobs; and work together to discover ways to maximize their exposure to employers…. Don’t wait until your layoff date…go check out a Jersey Job Club –NOW and get started making headway in your search.
- #30 Learn about the job opportunities in New Jersey’s key industry sectors from speakers can help connect New Jersey employers with trained employees. There are workshops on a wide range of topics. Anything you need, to jumpstart your job search… One way we help do this is with our Talent Networks….
- #31 Two-thirds of New Jersey’s jobs and two-thirds of the State’s overall wages fall within the Talent Network industries There are several Talent Networks; one of them could be a good fit – for you: Advanced Manufacturing Financial Services Health Care Life Sciences Retail, Hospitality and Tourism Technology and Entrepreneurship Transportation, Logistics, and Distribution
- #32 Talent Networks can help you in a number of ways…. They can help you focus your job search energies in these industries where growth is occurring….. To learn more about New Jersey’s Talent Networks, you can visit Jobs4Jersey.com.
- #33 These are not the One-Stop Career Centers you may remember from years ago. Here, you can receive immediate job-search help… But you can also get assistance exploring your long-term career goals… There are training programs… You might be eligible for tuition assistance….. You won’t know until you stop-in and speak to an Employment Services Counselor….
- #34 There are numerous training programs, including grants and financial aide, specifically designed to help if your unique circumstances have made it hard to find and keep a job Our Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services staff provides services to anyone with a physical or mental impairment (Disabilities) interfering with employment We also have Employment Counselors who help Ex-Offenders, Youth, and individuals transitioning off Public Assistance (WorkFirstNJ) And special Veteran Counselors can provide customized assistance to Vets with employment barriers
- #35 Our counselors look at your career goals…and look for creative ways to help you get there….in many cases, you may even be eligible for training that is subsidized by the department. Plus, we offer: Targeted Job Fairs to link industry specific workers with employers looking to hire Positive Recruitments (where employers actively looking for people) are coordinated I encourage you to visit the Jobs4Jersey website jobseeker’s section and explore the many opportunities offered through our One-Stop Career Centers.
- #36 Some last things to remember: READ the Blue Book – and don’t lose it Call a Reemployment Center for unemployment benefits questions Take advantage of the many services offered Online and at our One-Stop Career Centers Don’t wait to start your job-search– register as soon as you can --- at Jobs4Jersey.com
- #37 If you have specific questions about your Unemployment Benefits, how they are calculated or some other special circumstances… I would be happy to take your contact information and arrange to have someone from our Division of Unemployment Insurance Benefits get back to you. Thank you again for taking the time today to learn about how we can help you find your next career opportunity.