The following rules apply:

You need to apply for Dependency Benefits within 6 weeks of the date of claim or you will be ineligible to receive Dependency Benefits for the duration of the claim. No Dependency Benefits will be paid until proof is provided to the Division.

If your spouse/civil union partner is employed during the week you establish your claim, you cannot receive Dependency Benefits.

A dependent is defined as an unemployed spouse/civil union partner or an unemployed, unmarried child (including stepchild or legally adopted child) under the age of 19 (or 22 if the child is attending school full-time) or an unemployed unmarried disabled adult child who has blindness or a disability which began before the age of 22.

If you and your spouse/civil union partner are both unemployed, only one may claim Dependency Benefits.

You will be asked to provide the social security number(s) of your spouse/civil union partner and other claimed dependents.

You will be asked to provide proof of dependency. The Division will accept, as verification of dependency status, a copy of your most recent federal or state income tax return. If this is unavailable or insufficient to provide current dependency status, the Division may consider a combination of the following documents: birth, baptismal or marriage certificate(s), civil union license(s), certified divorce, dissolution, child support, annulment or adoption order(s) or any other legal documents. For blind or disabled children, written proof of a determination by the Social Security Administration that the individual is currently eligible for Disabled Adult Child benefits under the Social Security Act shall be considered conclusive proof of dependent status.

No one may receive more than the maximum Weekly Benefit Amount.