We finally have some type of update when it comes to New Jersey's unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a recent coronavirus briefing, Governor Phil Murphy announced that the Garden State will be, "applying for federal expanded unemployment benefits."

It will all be under a new plan and it is called the FEMA Lost Wages Supplemental Assistance Program which was created on August 7th.

Here is how we are expecting it will work:

The original $600 benefit expired but if this plan is approved, a $300 weekly payment will take its place.

You will not qualify for this new unemployment payment, "if you are receiving weekly benefits of less than $100" or if your, "unemployment 'does not relate to COVID-19.'"

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Officials are hoping that approval for this plan will come through within the next day or two.

Before you let out that sigh of relief, there is a catch: you may not get any unemployment funds until October because this is a new system that would have to be built from scratch.

“I know that’s not what someone wants to hear who wants their money now,” said State Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo. “It will not be easy or quick.”

However, Governor Phil Murphy is still hopeful that the $600 federal unemployment funds  will be reauthorized for New Jersey.

“Even as we do this, let me make it absolutely clear that what our workers and their families need is for the President and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell to reauthorize the $600 federal weekly unemployed benefit they allowed to expire at the end of July,” Murphy said.

So....I know that we do have some new information here but I am also pretty darn sure that you are currently reading this frustrated as can be since nothing official has been decided upon.

But what you do need to remember is that these legislative acts take time when they go through the proper channels and that help is coming.

You won't be evicted and your utilities won't be shut off until at least October 15th so just hold on!!!

Take a look at the original article at NJ.com.

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