Page 40

31

(l) The Department of Labor and Workforce Development shall develop within the department’s primary system for unemployment claims receipt and processing a mechanism for claimants to electronically access their own benefit payment status and history.

Amended 1945, c.308, s.2; 1950, c.167, s.1; 1951, c.338, s.1; 1952, c.187, s.3; 1955, c.203, s.2; 1961, c.43, s.4; 1974, c.86, s.4; 1975, c.385; 1977, c.307, s.3; 1984, c.24, s.4; 2010, c.82, s.1; 2011, c.32, s.1; 2011, c.87, s.1; 2013, c.148; 2015, c.42; 2016, c.62; 2017, c.163; 2022, c.120, s.1.

43:21-6.1. Child support obligations; withholding from unemployment compensation payments; distribution

a. An individual filing a new claim for unemployment compensation with an effective date on or after October 1, 1982 shall, at the time of filing the claim, disclose whether or not the individual owes child support obligations as defined under paragraph g. If any individual discloses that he or she owes child support obligations, and is determined to be eligible for unemployment compensation, the division shall notify the State or local child support enforcement agency enforcing this obligation that the individual has been determined to be eligible for unemployment compensation.

b. The division shall deduct and withhold from any unemployment compensation to an individual that owes child support obligations as defined under paragraph g.,

(1) the amount specified by the individual to the division to be deducted and withheld under this section, or

(2) the amount (if any) determined pursuant to an agreement submitted to the division under Section 454(20)(B)(i) of the Social Security Act, P.L. 97-35, 42 U.S.C. 654, by the State or local child support enforcement agency, or

(3) any amount otherwise required to be so deducted and withheld from unemployment compensation pursuant to legal process (as that term is defined by the Commissioner of Labor in regulations, which definition shall be identical to the definition of legal process in Section 462(e) of the Social Security Act, P.L. 95-30, Title V, 42 U.S.C. 662) properly served upon the division.

c. Any amount deducted and withheld under paragraph b. shall be paid by the division to the appropriate State or local child support enforcement agency.

d. Any amount deducted and withheld under paragraph b. shall for all purposes be treated as if it were paid to the individual as unemployment compensation and paid by the individual to the State or local child support enforcement agency in satisfaction of the individual's child support obligations.

e. For purposes of paragraphs a. through d., the term "unemployment compensation" means any compensation payable under the Unemployment Compensation Law (R.S. 43:21-1 et seq.) (including amounts payable by the division pursuant to an agreement under any federal law providing for compensation, assistance, or allowances with respect to unemployment).

f. This section applies only if appropriate arrangements have been made for reimbursement by the State or local child support enforcement agency for the administrative