TRENTON, N.J. — The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) reported an increase in unemployment insurance (UI) claims for the week ending October 4, 2025, as the state continues to monitor labor conditions during the ongoing federal government shutdown.
According to the department, initial claims for UI benefits totaled 8,836, an 11.6% increase from the previous week’s total of 7,921. By comparison, 9,558 claims were filed during the same week last year.
Continued claims, which reflect the number of weeks of benefits claimed by individuals already approved for unemployment assistance, totaled 88,732, marking a 2.4% decrease from the previous week and a 2.0% decline from the same period last year.
“Due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, the U.S. Department of Labor is currently unable to release its regular economic data,” the NJDOL said. “In response, NJDOL is utilizing internal administrative data to maintain continuity in public reporting to assist with timely labor market insights. This release represents the Department’s commitment to transparency and informed decision-making.”
The department emphasized that the latest data does not include federal employees who have filed for unemployment as a result of furloughs tied to the shutdown. Since the federal government closure began on October 1, New Jersey has received more than 500 unemployment claims from affected federal workers.
Federal employees seeking unemployment information are encouraged to visit MyUnemployment.nj.gov/federal for guidance and resources.
