A record 3.3 million Americans just applied for unemployment benefits according to the US Labor Department as restaurants, hotels, barber shops, gyms and other non-essential business shut down in a nationwide effort to slow the spread of the deadly coronavirus. This was the biggest jump in new jobless claims in history, surpassing the record of 695,000 set in 1982. Many economists say this is the beginning of a massive spike in unemployment that could result in over 40 million Americans losing their jobs by April. If you are a NJ resident in need of guidance with unemployment benefits or how to handle your bills, such as mortgage payments, utilities, or other debts, here is an excellent article:
Note that the NJ.com article was written before the Federal Stimulus Package was enacted so some advice may be incomplete. For instance, the stimulus package significantly expands unemployment insurance eligibility and benefits.