Displacement and Unemployment.

[Tenant4toolong]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? NJ
Does anyone know how does being displaced from your home due to a flood making your home uninhabitable effect qualifing for unemployment?

I work part time and report it to NJ DOL every 2 weeks and then I get a reduced check. Anyway because of the floods in Springfield I had to be evacuated from my home by the PD and the home has no power, water, phone services, etc now. Our LL said the hot water heater and furnance and electrical panels have to be replaced and will be in a few days but right now we can't live in the home. Our closest relative in 4 hours away. I called work and was taken off the schedule for the week. How do I report this to unemployment? I.e. Was I available for work? Did I work all hours offered? I think I answer no but not sure since this was not due to my own doing.

Thanks.

 

[Beth3]

I'm afraid I can't answer that question; we'll have to see if one of the other regular responders can. However I don't think that UC statutes recognize natural disasters/Acts of God that prevent people from getting to work because their homes are uninhabitable but you have nothing to lose by apply for a full unemployment check and seeing what happens. You don't have any wages to report so when you file your bi-weekly claim don't report any earnings for the time periods in question. Do answer the questions honestly though - you surely don't need the additional problem of being investigated for UC fraud.

Your employer may contest your claim since work WAS available.

Sorry for your situation; I hope your home is habitable again very soon.

 

[Tenant4toolong]

Thank You Beth. I will definitely be honest. I know there is a section that asks for an explanation when you answer no to did you work all hours offered so I guess I'll explain and just hope for the best.

I'm worried about losing the rest of this claim altoghter though if they think I just blew off work since they may not see displacement as a valid reason to miss work.

 

[Beth3]

Being homeless due to a flood isn't "blowing off work" in my book. Hard to imagine the UC office won't see it the same way. Thousands of people are affected by Irene and I expect are in a similar situation to yours.

Good luck.

 

[commentator]

File for the week of benefits, as you would usually do. Amount of work, zero. Wages earned, zero. Did you quit work refuse a job,? Yes. This will stop the claim for a while. They'll call you for a decision. You'll explain the situation. Probably the benefits will stop for a few weeks because of your lack of avaibility for work. You can resume them when you get relocated and are again available to work at the old job. Ask your employer if they will put you on a full lack of work lay off for the few weeks involved.

I know, seems hard, but personal reasons aren't often considered in unemployment situations. The employer could, if they wanted to, give this person the weeks to get fixed as lack of work lay off weeks, and they'd be getting their unemployment checks anyhow. Don't forget the change of address issues if your home isn't liveable.