NJ contractors and self-employed who lost work in pandemic can now file for unemployment

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PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Independent contractors and self-employed workers in New Jersey affected by the coronavirus pandemic can now apply for unemployment online. Pennsylvanians still have to wait another two weeks.

Unemployment officials in New Jersey will look at last year's tax returns or wage records for independent contractors and self-employed workers, and will pay out about 60% of the average weekly salary — up to a total of $713 — over 39 weeks.

All self-employed workers are also eligible for the extra $600 a week allotted by the federal stimulus package, which will also be retroactive from April 4.

To be eligible for the cash, the loss of work must be a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, and the applicant must not already qualify for regular unemployment assistance by the Garden State's standards.

A step-by-step guide showing how self-employed and contract workers can apply is available online.

There is still a backlog of applications in New Jersey’s system. More than a half-million people have filed so far.

Officials in Pennsylvania say they are working on their own application, which will be available in two weeks.

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