The New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development (NJDOL) has updated its unemployment insurance process to improve timeliness and accuracy in benefit determinations. A key part of this update is a new statutory requirement that employers report employee separations within a strict timeline and engage with the e-Adjudication system when necessary. Understanding and complying with these changes will help employers protect their interests and avoid unintended consequences.
What’s the New Requirement?
Under P.L. 2022, c.120 (s2357), New Jersey employers are now required to submit separation information to the NJDOL within 7 days of an employee’s separation or within 7 days of receiving notice that an unemployment claim has been filed involving that employee. NJ.gov
This is a departure from the previous practice of waiting for mailed forms or claim notices before responding. Employers must now be proactive.
How to Report Separation Information
To comply, employers must:
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Register for an Employer Access account through the NJDOL.
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Log in to the Employer Response Portal.
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Submit the separated employee’s details and reasons for separation through the online form.
If an employer already started a submission and did not finish it, they can resume an incomplete response in the portal.
Why This Matters
Providing accurate separation information in a timely manner helps:
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Ensure unemployment benefit decisions include the employer’s perspective.
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Reduce delays or incorrect determinations that could affect your tax rate or potential liability.
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Prevent automatic benefit awards based on incomplete information.
If separation information is not submitted on time, the NJDOL will make its determination based on whatever information is available, potentially without your context. Employers still receive the notification and can appeal if needed.
What Is e-Adjudication?
If the NJDOL needs more information to process a claim, it uses e-Adjudication, an online fact-finding system that replaces traditional phone interviews with email-based questionnaires. Both the claimant and employer may participate electronically.
This system allows employers and claimants to provide responses and supporting documentation more quickly and conveniently than waiting for scheduled phone appointments.
Key Takeaways for Employers
- Register for Employer Access and familiarize yourself with the Employer Response Portal.
- Report employee separations within 7 days, don’t wait for a claim notice.
- Participate in e-Adjudications when notified, your input matters.
- Monitor communications from NJDOL via email and the portal.
Staying ahead of these requirements can help safeguard your company’s unemployment tax experience and improve your control over unemployment claims outcomes.
Have questions about how this affects your business or need help setting up your Employer Access account? Reach out to your Abacus Payroll specialist. We are here to help.