People who served in the military can now apply for unemployment benefits online in New Jersey.

Republican Gov. Chris Christie signed the legislation on Monday.

State law had previously mandated that anyone who served in the military, worked for the federal government or worked outside the state had to file their benefit applications via the telephone or in person.

But the new law requires the Department of Labor and Workforce Development to accept their online applications.

Proponents of the "common sense" change said there was no reason to exclude those groups from online filing, noting that the system is already in place and more efficient than other filing methods.