New Jersey Unemployment Weekly Benefit Rate Calculation 2025

New Jersey Unemployment Weekly Benefit Rate (WBR) Calculator 2025

Total gross wages earned during your 12-month base period.

Number of weeks you earned at least $283 (for 2025 requirements).

Your 2025 Estimate

Average Weekly Wage (AWW):

Weekly Benefit Rate (60% of AWW):

Estimated Weekly Benefit:

*Note: The maximum weekly benefit for 2025 is capped at $881. This is an estimate based on standard NJDOL formulas.

function calculateNJUnemployment() { var totalEarnings = parseFloat(document.getElementById('totalEarnings').value); var weeksWorked = parseFloat(document.getElementById('weeksWorked').value); var resultDiv = document.getElementById('nj-results'); var eligibilityDiv = document.getElementById('eligibilityStatus'); if (isNaN(totalEarnings) || isNaN(weeksWorked) || weeksWorked = 20 || totalEarnings >= minTotalEarningsAlt) { isEligible = true; } // Display Results resultDiv.style.display = 'block'; if (isEligible) { resultDiv.style.backgroundColor = '#e8f5e9'; resultDiv.style.border = '1px solid #c8e6c9'; eligibilityDiv.innerHTML = "Status: Potentially Eligible"; eligibilityDiv.style.color = "#2e7d32"; } else { resultDiv.style.backgroundColor = '#ffebee'; resultDiv.style.border = '1px solid #ffcdd2'; eligibilityDiv.innerHTML = "Status: May Not Meet Minimum Earnings Requirements"; eligibilityDiv.style.color = "#c62828"; } document.getElementById('resAWW').innerText = "$" + aww.toFixed(2); document.getElementById('resWBR').innerText = "$" + rawWBR.toFixed(2); document.getElementById('finalWBR').innerText = "$" + finalWBR.toFixed(2); }

How the NJ Unemployment Benefit is Calculated in 2025

Calculating your Weekly Benefit Rate (WBR) in New Jersey involves looking at your "Base Year" earnings. The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) typically defines the base year as the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file your claim.

The 60% Rule

In New Jersey, your weekly benefit is generally 60% of your average weekly wage during your base year. However, this amount is subject to a state-mandated maximum cap. For 2025, the estimated maximum weekly benefit rate is $881.

2025 Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for benefits in 2025, you must meet one of the following "earnings tests":

• Base Weeks: You must have worked at least 20 base weeks. A "base week" for 2025 is any week in which you earned at least $283.
• Alternative Earnings Test: If you don't have 20 base weeks, you must have earned a total of at least $14,200 during the base year.

Example Calculation

Scenario: An employee earned $52,000 over 52 weeks.

• Average Weekly Wage: $52,000 / 52 = $1,000
• 60% of AWW: $1,000 x 0.60 = $600
• Weekly Benefit: Since $600 is less than the $881 cap, the weekly benefit is $600.

Important Considerations

Your benefit may be reduced if you receive other income such as a pension, Social Security (in specific cases), or if you are working part-time while collecting benefits. Additionally, New Jersey unemployment benefits are subject to federal income tax, and you can choose to have 10% withheld from your payments.