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Temporary Disability Insurance provides cash benefits to New Jersey workers who have to stop working due to a physical or mental health condition or other disability unrelated to their work. The healthcare provider certifies how long you need to recover from your medical condition, up to a maximum of 26 weeks. Most employers in New Jersey are required to have Temporary Disability Insurance for their employees.

Employers may choose an insurance plan offered by the state or by a private insurance company. Ask your employer which coverage you have. If you are covered by the state plan, apply for Temporary Disability Insurance benefits online via our secure system. If you are covered by a private insurance company, your employer will tell you how to file a claim. Click here for more information about private plan Temporary Disability Insurance.

New Jersey workers are encouraged to apply.
In order to have a valid claim for Temporary Disability Insurance, you need to have paid into the program through your employment and meet minimum gross earnings requirements. Temporary Disability Insurance is available to most New Jersey workers.

Exemptions include: 

• federal government employees
• optional for local government, including school district employees
• out-of-state employees
• faith-based organizations
• workers that are not technically employees (such as properly classified independent contractors).

If your employer is covered for Temporary Disability Insurance, they are required to set up payroll contributions for you. If you believe you are covered under the program but payroll contributions have not been made, you are still encouraged to apply as it may have been an error.  If you became unemployed recently and have a need for Temporary Disability Insurance, you still may be eligible for benefits and we encourage you to apply. In that case, we will forward your application to our Disability During Unemployment section.

Your employer is required to report your wages to the state after each calendar quarter. When your claim is under review, we consider the earnings reported for the 5 completed quarters prior to the Sunday of the week your disability began. The first 4 quarters of that time frame is called the base year.  

To qualify for Temporary Disability Insurance in 2025, you must have worked 20 weeks earning at least $303 weekly, or have earned a combined total of $15,200 in the base year.

To qualify for Temporary Disability Insurance in 2026, you must have worked 20 weeks earning at least $310 weekly, or have earned a combined total of $15,500 in the base year.

Your regular base year period consists of 52 weeks and is determined by the date you apply for Temporary Disability Insurance benefits, as outlined in the chart below:

The wages earned during your base year will determine the amount of weekly benefits you may receive, and the total amount you can receive throughout the life of a claim.

For workers who don't qualify with a standard base year, we have other ways of calculating a base year. Click here for more information on these alternate base years. 

Both New Jersey workers and employers contribute to the cost of the temporary disability program. Workers contribute through deductions taken out of their paychecks.  

For 2025, workers contribute 0.23% on the first $165,400 (wage cap) in covered wages earned during this calendar year. The maximum worker contribution for 2025 is $380.42. This contribution is in the form of a salary deduction that your employer takes from your weekly wages.

For 2026, workers contribute 0.19% on the first $171,100 (wage cap) in covered wages earned during this calendar year. The maximum worker contribution for 2026 is $325.09. This contribution is in the form of a salary deduction that your employer takes from your weekly wages.

1. First, we calculate your average weekly wage. We do this by dividing your base year earnings by the number of base weeks. 

In 2025, a "base week" is any week you earned $303 or more. 
In 2026, a "base week" is any week you earn $310 or more.

2. Now, we can determine your weekly benefit rate. Claimants are paid 85% of their average weekly wage, up to the maximum weekly benefit rate set for that calendar year.

In 2025, the maximum weekly benefit rate is $1,081 per week. 
In 2026, the maximum weekly benefit rate is $1,119 per week.

For example, let’s say Steve's first day of disability is Friday, March 6, 2026. To see how much he would receive weekly on Temporary Disability Insurance, we look at his reported wages for the first four of the last five completed quarters: 

Quarters 1 through 4 are the regular base year and the timeframe used to calculate his benefits.

Total base year earnings: $18,200 which we divide by 45 (the number of base weeks)

This gives us an average weekly wage of $404.

Steve’s weekly benefit rate is 85% of his average weekly wage: $343.

If you become disabled due to an injury or illness related to your job, contact the Division of Workers' Compensation. If your disability is work-related and your employer's workers' compensation carrier denies you benefits or stops benefit payments, you may file an application with us.

To be eligible, you must:

1. Meet all the requirements of the Temporary Disability Benefits law, and
2. File a formal claim petition with the Division of Workers' Compensation, and
3. Agree to reimburse the Division of Temporary Disability Insurance if you are awarded Workers' Compensation benefits.

Most individuals consult with an attorney when filing a formal claim petition with the Division of Workers’ Compensation.

Having your job protected during your leave is separate from getting paid. While on leave, your job may be protected under state and federal job protection laws. Learn more about job protection and check if you’re covered using our Job Protection Coverage Checker.