U.S. Labor Department announces release of nearly $207 million in unemployment insurance modernization incentive funds to New Jersey

New Jersey is 1st state to be certified for funds under Recovery Act

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the release of $206,823,364 in unemployment insurance (UI) modernization incentive funds to the state of New Jersey. New Jersey qualified for the funds available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) by making state unemployment benefits available to part time workers, extending benefits for UI beneficiaries in training and allowing workers to use their more recent earnings to qualify for benefits. New Jersey's approved application will be posted at the department's Employment and Training Administration Web site at http://www.doleta.gov/recovery.

"New Jersey's UI program has been updated to better meet the needs of the 21st century labor force," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "The modernization provisions in New Jersey's UI program help unemployed workers who have entered the workforce recently, work part time or need training to get a new job receive benefits they deserve."

The New Jersey Department of Labor can use the funds to pay unemployment benefits or, if appropriated by the legislature, for administering its unemployment insurance program or delivering employment services.

"During these difficult economic times, New Jersey has been committed to helping our unemployed citizens get back on their feet again," said Gov. Jon S. Corzine. "Because of the state's progressive and innovative UI program, and making the right decisions at the right time, New Jersey is the first state to qualify for its entire UI modernization incentive funding. This will bolster the New Jersey Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund and continue to provide much needed benefits to our workers."

The Recovery Act made a total of $7 billion available in UI modernization incentive payments to states that include certain eligibility provisions in their UI programs. Each state can qualify for a share of those funds by showing that its law includes those provisions. New Jersey is the first state to be certified for its share by the Labor Department.