TRENTON, JANUARY 8, 2013 -- The New Jersey Labor Department posted the annual changes in the maximum benefit rates and taxable wage base that became effective on January 1, 2013, for New Jersey’s Unemployment Insurance, Temporary Disability Insurance, Family Leave Insurance, and Workers’ Compensation programs.

According to laws governing these programs, the maximum benefit rates and the taxable wage base must be recalculated each year, based on the statewide average weekly wage. The benefit rates and taxable wage base for 2013 reflect the $1,101.89 average weekly wage for 2011, which rose by 2.0 percent from $1,079.91 in 2010.

Effective January 1, 2013, the maximum weekly benefit amount for eligible unemployment insurance claimants will increase from $611 to $624. The maximum weekly benefit for state plan temporary disability insurance and family leave insurance claims will increase from $572 to $584, while the maximum weekly benefit for workers’ compensation will rise from $810 to $826.

The level of wages subject to wage taxes in 2013 will increase to $30,900 under the unemployment, temporary disability, and family leave insurance programs, as well as the workforce development program and supplemental workforce fund for basic skills. The taxable wage base in 2012 was $30,300.

Benefit eligibility criteria that are based on the State minimum hourly wage will remain the same in 2013 because they are based on the existing minimum hourly wage of $7.25 which became effective on July 24, 2009. The amount of weekly earnings required to establish a base week will remain at $145 in 2013 in order to be eligible for unemployment, temporary disability or family leave benefits under regular criteria. The amount of earnings required in cases in which a claimant has not worked 20 base weeks will remain at $7,300.

The contribution rate for state and local government entities that choose to make contributions, rather than reimbursing the trust fund for unemployment insurance benefits paid to their former employees, will remain at 0.7 percent of taxable wages during calendar year 2013.

Below is a chart showing the 2012 rates and the changes taking place January 1, 2013:

MAXIMUM BENEFIT RATES AND ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA