Drawing Unemployment New Jersey

[Trackman20]

I'm a Commercial Real Estate Broker in Manhattan, and needless to say....2009 has been a terrible year for my industry. Also, while I work in New York City, I reside in New Jersey....so I'm not sure which state to select in the above option.

I work on 100% commission and have only netted about $14,000 this year. I can no longer pay bills and have no more nest egg left over from a fairly productive last couple of years.

I'm on the verge of leaving my company to search for a full time salaried position somewhere else, but don't have the time to currently make that effort due to my commitment to my current firm.

Would I be able to draw unemployment or get any type of assistance to help me pay my bills going forward if I quit to search for a salaried position somewhere?

I feel like I'm between a rock and a hard place.......

[Pattymd]

Are you an employee or an independent contractor?

[Trackman20]

Independent contractor

[Pattymd]

I was afraid of that. As an independent contractor, you don't have an "employer" who reports your earnings to the UI agency and pays UI taxes on them. So, if this is the only job you've had in, say, the last 18 months, you would not be financially eligible for UI benefits.

One of the drawbacks of not being an employee.