People collecting unemployment may now receive their benefits one day earlier in the week, if they use the newly expanded website services of the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJLWD).

Unemployment insurance recipients required to file certifications every two weeks, may now file via the department website on Sundays, between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., instead of waiting until Monday or Tuesday. This expanded website certification will begin Sunday, March 27, 2011.

The Sunday website service means a certification will be processed sooner, therefore the electronic transfer of benefits to a claimant’s direct deposit or debit card accounts may also occur earlier. The process takes about 48 hours.

When claimants use the Internet to file certifications, the department is able to free more agents to respond to cases requiring special attention.

Statistically, when claimants use the website to certify unemployment insurance benefits, only four percent of those claims require agent intervention. When claimants use the telephone to certify unemployment insurance benefits, 10 to 11 percent of those claims require agent intervention. Telephone certifications also are not available on Saturday or Sunday.

The hours of availability for claiming benefits on the Internet after Sunday are Monday through Friday from 7 AM to 6 PM and on Saturday from 8 AM to 3 PM (Eastern Time).

Our website certification system provides claimants with a printable screen at the end of the certification process that offers certification confirmation, payment information, claim balances, Federal Income Tax (FIT) withholding information, and special messages.

People still have the option to certify for benefits over the telephone; however, those filing certifications via the newly expanded website circumvent the “odd/even” restriction placed on claimants certifying by telephone. The restriction requires callers to certify benefits on certain days of the week based on the last digit of their Social Security number.

The telephone certification option is available only from Monday through Friday from 7 AM to 6 PM.

Claimants may visit the website at:  www.njuifile.net and click on File a Continued Claim to certify for their benefits.

The website has already been accepted by customers of the NJLWD as a fast, friendly and efficient means for the department to deliver benefits and services.  It is safe, secure and convenient.