NJ unemployment remains among the highest in the nation. “That’s the thing about the unemployment rate that makes it hard during COVID initially all these people lose their jobs, and then there’s a lot of ‘who’s in the labor force and who’s not?’ because technically to be unemployed, you should be looking for a job.” Economists agreed that the effect of enhanced unemployment insurance benefits, which come with a supplemental $300 weekly check through Sept. 4, has been overstated. Leading more people returning to work is easing the mask mandate and the lifting other restrictions on capacity.