Eligibility Requirements To be eligible for unemployment benefits, you must have worked at least 20 base weeks in covered employment or you must have earned $7,200. For weeks worked in 2007, the amount needed to establish a base week is $143; for weeks worked in 2008, the amount is $143; and for weeks worked in 2009, the amount is $143. These wages must have been earned during a 52 week period ... "Every week, it just says the claim is 'not payable' despite blue paper mailers saying he is approved." And the Facebook page Unemployed in New Jersey has countless similar stories. State Sen....Sep 17, 2020 · That you pay into a system your entire life and now they just keep telling me, ‘your claim is not payable at this time,’” Cararo said. A bill requiring the state auditor to review New Jersey’s unemployment division is making its way through the legislature. Worksheet works.