Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of Americans have lost their jobs and filed for unemployment benefits. In New Jersey, as in other states, the federal government has provided additional funds to extend unemployment benefits beyond the traditional 26 weeks. This extension is known as Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA).
PUA is available to individuals who are not eligible for regular unemployment benefits, such as self-employed workers, gig workers, and independent contractors. It is also available to individuals who have exhausted their regular unemployment benefits.