Residents who have their checks directly deposited into their bank accounts normally can access the funds on Fridays.
But due to a programing error that occurred during a recent software upgrade to the state treasury department's computer system, the money won't be available until Monday.
The delay affects about 27,000 people, officials said, adding it was the first time that such an error has occurred and that the problem was quickly corrected.
About 490,000 people are currently collecting unemployment benefits in New Jersey.