NJ Temporary Disability Insurance

NJ temporary disability insurance is a state mandated benefit program that applies to private workers. New Jersey Temporary Disability provides benefits for off the job accidents and illnesses. New Jersey is one of only five states with mandated coverage. Read below and click the links to learn more about:

• Who is covered
  
• How the plan works
  
• Pregnancy Benefits - key features, plus how to increase maternity leave pay
  
• How to file a claim for benefits
  

New Jersey TDI also funds portions of state maternity policies; the NJ paid family leave program extends your maternity leave by an additional six weeks and payments remain the same.  Make sure you understand how these laws work in conjunction with federal rules.

NJ Temporary Disability Insurance provides coverage for private workers in New Jersey.  Residency in the state does not automatically qualify you for benefits  - an important distinction that many people discover only after they become disabled. 

Many state residents are not covered by NJ Temporary Disability.  Those not covered include but are not limited to:

• Federal government workers
• State, County, and Municipal employees are not required to participate.  Some local government employer groups choose to participate voluntarily.  Check with your employer.
• Commuters to New York City are covered by the NY State Disability plan, which provides a much lower benefit amount.
• Commuters to Philadelphia have no coverage at all.  There is no mandatory PA state disability insurance program.

New Jersey Temporary Disability benefits replace 2/3 of your income, up to $559 per week in 2011.

Your weekly benefit is based upon the average weekly earnings from your last eight calendar week before your disability begins. The maximum benefit amount is 1/3 of the amount you earned in NJ of the previous year, or 26 times the weekly benefit amount whichever is less.

New Jersey Temporary Disability benefits become payable after your disability exceeds a one week waiting period.  This waiting week also becomes payable if you receive benefits for all or some part of the three week immediately following the waiting week.

Consider purchasing supplemental disability insurance to increase your level of income replacement, or extend the length of time that benefits are payable. 

You can also find more detailed information directly from the state website regarding NJ temporary disability.  NJ Temporary Disability claim forms are available on the NJ Department of Labor website. 

If you have specific questions about your claim, you can contact the Customer Service Information Center at: (609) 292 - 7060.