Officials say unemployment rates in Ocean County have reached 7.9 percent, which is currently higher than the national average of 7.6 percent.

Many residents say they have lost their livelihood and are collecting unemployment benefits while applying for jobs. Adrion Butler, a single father from Toms River, says he started collecting unemployment when he was laid off from his construction job.

Richard Springstead, like many others in Ocean County, was forced to move from his Edison apartment to a rental assistance apartment in Seaside Heights when he could no longer afford his rent. He is still looking for a job while collecting his second extension of unemployment benefits.

Officials say the national unemployment rate is highest it has been in nearly 17 years.