Hi — I recently got VSP through Centene, but my NJ unemployment claim was rejected. Has anyone else had their unemployment benefits denied after getting Centene VSP? If so, how did you resolve it? Can anyone recommend a good unemployment/appeals attorney in New Jersey to help file an appeal? Appreciate any names, experiences, or tips. (Please don’t post sensitive info here — message me if you can share contact details.) Thanks!
14 replies (most recent on top)
@ek Thank you for that info ! The faq is perfect proof that layoffs were imminent.
@jw lol no- I was at Centene for 3 years as a case manager, and managed over 300 cases... and got treated like sh-t, I will be fighting to get the UE money.. cuz they're wealthy disgusting pigs :)
@jt Or are you just someone from corporate pretending to be someone who’s unemployment was denied so Centene can find out whom the law firm is that is having great success winning cases over Centene?
@hy can I have the lawyer contact cuz I'm in Texas and my unemployment was denied.. I just appealed it.
@bp get a lawyer there is one in Texas who has helped former Centene employees and won! He told me straight forward that yes we would get unemployment. Another person who works in Texas her company did VSP and she said we would as well. She works in HR.
She said to wait until after we get the severance but lawyer said to go ahead and apply and if they deny to reapply. Don't fully quote me on that part. I have a feeling I need to go ahead and call him back because a lot of crazy stuff is going on and I don't trust this place!
@e3 There is a FAQ on the VSP site that states there would be involuntary layoffs if there weren't enough employees who took VSP. Also, SL's video that was posted on CNET on 6/15/26 also provides proof of this. In Maryland, unemployment isn't automatically denied if someone accepts a severance package based on the threat of a layoff.
I knew this would happen with those taking the VSP due to the wording. The wording is voluntary not involuntary which means you chose it. The better option was to be laid off.
@dn can you forward me that email?? lol
There was the email from Sarah London saying that she was going to need to reduce staff and layoff people and was told that might be enough proof that you need to take the VSP and should get unemployment.
Technically it was your choice to accept the VSP so that would be considered voluntary termination. Many states will not give you unemployment for choosing to leave your company.
I'm pretty sure in the fine print it said you wouldn't be able to collect unemployment because it was a voluntary agreement, not a layoff.
You may be able to apply after a certain time and not fresh off the VSP but not sure. I’m also NJ and have VSP next year so following this post for future reference
I'm in TX and me and another previous co worker got rejected.. but we are both appealing. Centene is framing it as we decided to leave vs it being a workforce reduction and hanging getting laid off/fired over our heads. It does seem to vary state to state...and also appears Centene is fighting to not pay it for most of us those money hungry ba----ds
@OP Every state is different regarding whether or not they accept VSP for unemployment benefits