How Do I Claim Unemployment Benefits with the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development?

In a nutshell: If you've recently lost your job in New Jersey, it’s crucial to apply for unemployment benefits promptly to reduce financial strain while seeking new employment. Gather necessary documentation including your Social Security number, driver's license or state ID, pension details, and bank account information for direct deposit. To apply,

May 29, 2026

Introduction

If you recently lost your job in New Jersey then you need to learn how to apply for unemployment benefits there. You should do so as quickly as possible, too, in order to minimize financial disruptions and so you can concentrate on finding a new job.

What You'll Need

When you apply for unemployment benefits, make sure you have the following information with you:Your social security number (or your alien registration number if you are not a US citizen)Your New Jersey driver's license or state IDYour pension information, if you are receiving a pensionAny separation pay you are receivingYour expected recall date, if your job loss is due to a temporary furloughYour union hiring hall information, if you got work through a unionMilitary Form DD-214 if you were enrolled in the military at any point in the previous 18 monthsEither form SF-8 or SF-50 if you worked for the federal governmentYour bank's routing number and your account number if you want your benefits to be direct deposited

Go to the New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development account creation page.

New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development account creation page
To file your unemployment benefits claim in person, skip to step 8.

Enter your email address in the text field provided.

Your email address cannot be more than 35 characters long.

Check your email for something from the New Jersey DOLWD.

Click on the verification link in the email.

The verification link is only valid for 60 minutes, so keep checking your email if you don't get it right away. Check your Spam folder if you don't see the email.
You will be taken to a page where you can provide the rest of the information needed to file your claim.

Enter your first and last names, date of birth, social security number, phone number, and the same email address you used to make your claim in the appropriate text fields.

Create a password for your new New Jersey DOLWD account.

It must be at least 8 characters long, and have at least one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number, and one special character.

Follow the prompts to finish filing your claim for unemployment benefits.

Do not proceed with any further steps.

Go to a convenient New Jersey unemployment office location.

Locations:
Camden: 2600 Mt. Ephraim Avenue
Elizabeth: 921 Elizabeth Avenue
Hackensack: 60 State Street, 1st Floor
Neptune: 60 Taylor Avenue North
Newark: 990 Broad Street
Passaic: 25 Howe Avenue
Paterson: 200 Memorial Drive
Perth Amboy: 161 New Brunswick Avenue, Suite 300
Pleasantville: 2 South Main Street
Somerville: 75 Veterans Memorial Dr. E., Suite 100
Trenton: 26 Yard Avenue

Make sure you have all of the required documents and information with you when you go.

Tell one of the employees there that you want to apply for unemployment benefits.

Conclusion

If you have any questions about your claim, or about unemployment benefits in general, call a New Jersey unemployment representative for answers. You can reach one 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Further questions?

Ask a followup or related question and we will try to provide an answer in seconds.
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New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development

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