BENJAMIN TRAN VS. BOARD OF REVIEW (BOARD OF REVIEW, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR)

**What Happened** Benjamin Tran worked for multiple employers in different states and filed for unemployment benefits in New Jersey, requesting what's called "combined-wage" benefits. This type of claim allows workers to combine wages earned in multiple states to qualify for higher unemployment payments. However, there was a dispute about how his out-of-state employment should be counted toward his benefits. **What the Court Decided** The New Jersey appeals court sided with the state's Board of Review and denied Tran's claim. The court ruled that New Jersey doesn't have the authority to make decisions about employment records from other states. Instead, any disputes about out-of-state work history must be handled by the states where that work actually took place, following federal guidelines for interstate unemployment claims. **Why This Matters for Workers** This ruling affects workers who have held jobs in multiple states and want to file for unemployment benefits. If you've worked across state lines and there are questions about your employment history, you may need to resolve those issues with each individual state where you worked before your home state can process your combined-wage claim. This could potentially delay or complicate your unemployment benefits application.