Official Site of The State of New Jersey
Reasons for ineligibility
If you're not sure if you're eligible for unemployment, but you lost hours or employment, you should apply. If you apply, you may find out that you’re ineligible for unemployment benefits. This can happen for a number of reasons, including:
- You quit your job
- You were fired for gross misconduct
- You’re not currently available to work
- You’re not currently able to work
- You’re not actively looking for a job
- Your disability prevents you from working
- You’re employed full time
If you’re ineligible for unemployment, you will receive a letter in the mail saying that you’re disqualified or ineligible and explaining why. The letter will also explain why you’re disqualified or ineligible and how you can appeal or overcome the determination. If you’ve been disqualified in the last year, that disqualification may carry over into this year.
If you quit your job without "good cause connected with the work," you may not be eligible for unemployment benefits. "Good cause connected with the work" means your reason for leaving must be directly related to your job and so compelling that you had no choice but to quit. The responsibility is on you as an employee to prove you left for good cause.
Generally, you cannot voluntarily quit and receive unemployment benefits. These are some of the exceptions we may allow:
- If your workplace was “unsafe, unhealthful, or dangerous” to the point that you had “no choice but to leave”
- If you quit because of domestic violence
- If you quit to relocate because your spouse or civil union partner, who is an active military member, was transferred out of state
- If you quit for a comparable or better job, which you began within 7 days of leaving your previous job
- If the terms and conditions of your job change such that you cannot continue to work there
Each of the reasons above has more detailed criteria that you must meet in order to receive benefits. We will have to speak to your employer before we can make any decision. You can learn more in our guide to your rights and responsibilities.
If you quit for personal reasons, such as moving to a new area, your reason is not considered connected to the work. Quitting for better pay or more hours may qualify for benefits, depending on the situation.
Appealing
If you disagree with a determination, you have the right to submit an appeal. Learn more about our appeal process on our appeals page. You can appeal online, or by mail.
How to remove a disqualification
To remove a disqualification for voluntarily quitting you must:
- Return to work for at least eight weeks AND
- Earn 10 times your weekly benefit rate AND
- Then become unemployed through no fault of your own.
If you believe you met this requirement, call us at 732-761-2020.
If you were fired or discharged from your job, you may not be eligible for unemployment benefits. A claims examiner will review your case to determine if your firing was due to gross misconduct.
It is considered gross misconduct if you were fired for an offense that is considered a crime of the first, second, third, or fourth degree under New Jersey law.
How to remove a disqualification
To remove a disqualification for quitting or gross misconduct, you must:
- Return to work for at least eight weeks AND
- Earn 10 times your weekly benefit rate AND
- Then become unemployed through no fault of your own.
If you believe you met this requirement, call us at 732-761-2020.
Wages earned from the employer who fired you cannot be used to establish a current or future unemployment claim or to remove a disqualification. Your new application must be valid in order to receive unemployment benefits.
Domestic violence
If your quitting or being fired was related to domestic violence, you may qualify for an exception to disqualification for willful misconduct. If you believe you qualify for this exemption, call us at732-761-2020.
In order to receive unemployment benefits you must be able and available to work. This means that if you were to receive a suitable job offer, you could take it and begin immediately. If you previously were available for full time work, you must be available for full time work. If you previously were available for part-time work, you must be available for at least part-time work.
In some cases, while you’re unemployed you may become unable or unavailable to work, for example because you don’t have childcare, don’t have transportation to a new job, or are temporarily disabled.
If you have a disability
If you’re ineligible to receive unemployment benefits because of a disability, you may qualify for disability benefits, or other programs for people with disabilities.
How to remove a disqualification
You cannot receive unemployment benefits while you’re unable or unavailable to work, but if your situation changes, and you become able and available to work (for example, if you get access to childcare or transportation, or if your disability no longer prevents you from working) then you should call us at 732-761-2020.
A claims examiner will contact you by phone or email for a fact-finding interview. They will decide if you are eligible for benefits based on Unemployment Insurance laws and policies.
They may ask for documentation to support your case. The examiner will make a decision based on Unemployment Insurance laws and regulations.
We may find that you’re disqualified for being unable or unavailable when you apply, or after you answer your weekly certification questions. A claims examiner will contact you for a fact-finding interview, either by phone or email, to assess your eligibility. They may ask for documentation to support your case. The examiner will make a decision based on Unemployment Insurance laws and regulations.