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How can Navigators help?

Paid leave can be a complex benefit to understand. Navigators help families learn about the program, answer questions, and apply. 

Navigators will help a parent: 

• Understand the benefit and how it works 
• See if you could be eligible 
• See if you are covered under job protection, which is separate 
• Gather the required information to apply 
• Provide guidance on talking to your healthcare provider 
• Provide guidance on talking to your employer 
• Complete the application 
• Follow up if your application needs additional information

How can parents use paid leave benefits?

Eligible families can use paid leave benefits to replace up to 85% of their average weekly wages (or up to $1081/week in 2025) while they take necessary work leave to care for themselves and their family. 

Birthing parents can use disability benefits to:

• Manage their pregnancy
• Recover from birth
• Recover from complications, like postpartum depression 

All parents can use family leave benefits to:

• Bond with their newborn
• Bond with an adopted or fostered child within first year of placement

Who qualifies for navigator assistance?

Parents in Mercer County with a growing family could participate in this pilot to learn more about paid leave benefits and whether they may be eligible. Parents may be:

• Expecting a new child or recently delivered, or are bonding
• Adopting/fostering a new child

Navigators could help families planning to take leave, are currently on leave, or have recently taken leave.  

Navigators will help families assess if they’re likely eligible for wage replacement and if their job is protected. Generally speaking, parents need the following to be eligible for benefits:

• Recently worked
• Have a valid Social Security number
• In the last five quarters, earned at least $15,200 in gross wages or earned at least $303 in gross wages for 20 weeks or more (in 2025)

If you’re unsure if you meet the earning requirements, a navigator can help you see if you are possibly eligible.

Who are navigators?

For this pilot, a Paid Leave Navigator is a term to describe people in many different roles, like doulas, community health workers, and social workers, who are trained to help parents apply for NJ paid leave and navigate the process.

Why are we doing this pilot?

We want to learn if a navigator service can improve access to paid leave benefits for more families across Mercer County and eventually, across the state of New Jersey.

We are starting small so we can learn and adapt!

For more information about the pilot, email pfml.outreach@dol.nj.gov.

Download a Navigator Pilot flyer

To connect with a navigator, contact our partners at: