NJ unemployment question

[figtree]

Hi, I just had an appeal hearing this morning regarding my base year. I filed my claim in October 2009 but they only counted the weeks I worked from April '09 to the end of their base period in June 2009.
As a result I only received 12 wks of UI.
The appeal this morning concerned itself with verifying facts such as did I receive the cut off notification. When I tried to explain that I felt an alternate method should have been used the the appeals rep just kept repeating "that is the law in NJ." I did not feel I was adequately allowed to expalin my case.
I have no earnings prior to April '09 to meet their July 2008 - June 2009 base period. This is extremely punitve to workers returning to the work place. I worked for six month in 2009 and was unfortunately let go. I promptly filed my claim as directed by the NJ UI web site. After a bit of digging I found that had I waited 8 wks before I filed, I would have been eligible for the entire 26 wk benefit and all extensions.
The NJ UI reps that I have dealt with have been less than helpful...one even told me she could give me the number for welfare!
How can this be right?!!!

[espo222]

I was told the same thing. If I had waited until July, I would be entitled to the same thing however, I filed online, so I didn't know that. If I would have spoken to a live person, originally, I would have waited until January, it would have been worth it.