Qualifying for Extended Benefits in NJ? (collecting, receive, claim, work)

[lilyflower7]

Does anyone know if starting (and then exhausting) a new claim makes you somehow ineligible for extended benefits in NJ?

Here's my situation: I worked until July 2009 when I was laid off. I was approved for and received the full claim. I worked for about 9 weeks from September - Nov 2009 contracting and went back to the old claim. Just as my benefit year expired (towards the end of Tier 1 on the 2009 claim) I got a long term contract position that lasted until January. I filed in Jan 2011 and was only given 9 weeks of a claim because of how the quarters fell. I was able to go back to the 2009 claim in March when the 2011 claim was exhausted and finished out tier 1 and just exhausted tier 2.

I know I should meet the qualifications for tiers 3 and 4 but would I qualify for EB after this or does the second claim somehow disqualify me for EB? I remember hearing something to that effect but can't find any definitive data on it.

[Ariadne22]

EB is payable only on the most recent claim - if that claim qualifies. When a new claim is opened, EB from the previous claim is lost. In WI, we are clearly told a new claim will prevent us from collecting EB on an earlier claim.

[lilyflower7]

How large would the new claim have to be for EB on it?

[Ariadne22]

If your new claim only paid nine weeks benefits, I doubt it qualifies for EUC tiers or EB. Claims usually must be large enough to pay 13-16 weeks benefits to be eligible for EUC or EB - depending on the state.

Call NJ - to verify.