Is was wondering what are the good sites that talk about collecting
unemployment in the Philadelphia/New Jersey area.  Specifically how
much can I collect per month, for how long, and under what conditions.
 Am I covered under the Pennsylvania or New Jersey state?  I work in
Philadelphia but reside in Cherry Hill New Jersey.  Also I heard that
computer job training can be obtained for free or reduced cost or
something and would like information on that too.
Thanks

Hi Gregory,

Thanks for your questions about collecting unemployment. Each state,
as you know, provides unemployment compensation to people who have
lost their jobs. Your case is a bit unusual but certainly not
unheardof.

There are a number of ways in which you can qualify for unemployment.
Generally speaking, you have to prove that you lost your job, how much
you made, and you have to be willing to accept "suitable work" if
offered. Both Pennsylvania and New Jersey have pages online that give
detailed information about their programs (see below). I can't tell
you how much you would collect, since that's a complex formula
involving your salary and other information, but there are worksheets
online you can fill out to help you determine that amount.

PA Department of Labor and Industry
Unemployment Compensation FAQ
http://www.dli.state.pa.us/landi/cwp/view.asp?a=152&Q=170110
According to this document, you must file an unemployment claim
against the state to which your earnings were reported. If you paid
income tax in Pennsylvania, then Pennsylvania is responsible. I
imagine that states are responsible for the portion of your income
reported to each -- in other words, that if you earn 1/3 of the year's
income in PA and 2/3 in NJ, then Pennsylvania is responsible for 1/3
of your unemployment insurance should you be altogether jobless,
leaving 2/3 to New Jersey. However, you should definitely verify this
when you make your claim.

Pennsylvania Labor & Industry CareerLink
http://www.dli.state.pa.us/landi/cwp/view.asp?a=194&Q=67476
This is a job training program which can be used by those collecting
unemployment compensation.

FAQs (State of New Jersey)
http://www.state.nj.us/labor/uiex/faqs/faqlist.htm
The State of New Jersey is much more open (or maybe just consistent?)
about the formula used to calculage benefits:

"Your Weekly Benefit Rate (WBR) will be 60% of the Average Weekly Wage
you were paid during your Base Period, up to the maximum amount
payable. For claims filed in 2002 the maximum amount payable is $475
per week. The Maximum Benefit Amount (MBA) is calculated as follows:
For every four weeks worked during your Base Period in which you
earned the minimum base week amount, you will establish three weeks of
potential unemployment eligibility, up to a maximum of 26 times your
WBR. For 2002 and 2001, the base week amount is $103."

New Jersey does have a job training program, about which you can find
out more at (http://www.state.nj.us/labor/uiex/uiinfo/train.htm).

One Stop Career Centers
(http://www.njn.net/workforce/onestop.html)
They also have an interesting combination of programs in the One Stop
Career Center, which combines the unemployment office with the job
training and jobseeking offices -- you can go to an OSCC and file for
unemployment, get trained, look for a job, etc, all in the same place!

If this doesn't make sense, or you need anything clarified, please
don't hesitate to reply and let me know!

Thanks and good luck!

Libronaut