New Jersey Family Leave Insurance (NJ FLI) and Temporary Disability Insurance (NJ TDI)
What Is NJ FLI/TDI?
New Jersey paid family and disability programs are state‑mandated programs that provide eligible employees with partially paid time off for qualifying personal disabilities and family needs. The entitlement is based on the qualifying event listed below.
Eligible reasons for NJ TDI and NJ FLI benefits include:
- TDI - Up to 26 weeks for any one period of disability
- Employees unable to perform the regular duties of their position due to an off-the-job illness or injury. This includes pregnancy and/or childbirth, and organ donation.
- There is a 7-day waiting period for each new TDI claim however, it is paid retroactively if the claim lasts 3 weeks or longer.
- Recurrency period is available if a claim needs to be reopened within 14 days for the same or related injury or illness.
- FLI - Up to 12 weeks for Paid Family Leaves
- Bonding leave to care for a new child, including birth, adoption, or foster placement
- Caring for a family member with a serious health condition or communicable disease/quarantined, including a:
- Child, spouse/domestic partner, sibling, parent/in-laws
- Grandparent or grandchild
- Any individual related by blood or with a close association with the employee which is equivalent to a family relationship.
- Safe leave
What Is The Weekly Paid Benefit Under NJ TDI/NJ FLI?
In 2026, the maximum weekly benefit is $1,119
NJ’s maximum weekly benefit is 70% of the state’s average weekly wage.
The benefit calculation for both TDI and FLI is the same.
- Calculate the employee’s average weekly wage (AWW)
- Take the wages reported in the base year divided by the number of weeks in the base year.
- Calculate weekly benefit
| 2026 Max Weekly Benefit $1,119 | Example: $1,500/week gross pay |
|
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | 85% AWW | $1,275 |
| Weekly Benefit | Is either 80% or max weekly benefit 2026 maximum $1,119 |
Weekly benefits would be $1,119 |
Maximum weekly benefits may change annually.
Is NJ TDI/NJ FLI Job‑Protected?
No – For claims taken before July 17, 2026.
Yes - Beginning July 17, 2026, thanks to a new enhancement that Governor Phil Murphy signed into law (Legislation: A3451/S2950). Claims after July 17 will provide job protection when the employee is on an approved claim for TDI and FLI. It may run concurrently with the laws below, depending on employee eligibility.
- Federal FMLA – Family & Medical Leave Act
- NJ FLA – New Jersey Family Leave Act
- NJ SAFE – NJ Safe Leave Act
Which Employers Are Required To Provide NJ TDI/NJ FLI?
Most private employers with one or more covered individuals working in New Jersey and having a covered payroll of $1,000 must provide benefits.
This requirement includes businesses with:
- Employees working in New Jersey (not resident state)
- Remote workers whose work is based in New Jersey
It does not include:
- The federal government
- Limited exceptions for select government entities.
How Much Does NJ TDI/NJ FLI Cost?
NJ TDI/NJ FLI Public Plan
| Year | Employee Rate | TDI | FLI | Employee Contribution Payroll Cap | Employee Payroll Contribution | ER Taxable Wage Base |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0.42% | 0.19% | 0.23% | $171,100 | $718.62 | $44,800 |
- Contribution rates published annually in November
- Payroll is capped at the state level and differs for employee payroll deductions and employer contributions.
- NJ allows the TDI and FLI coverages to be split and therefore each has its own rate.
- Contributions may be split between employer and employee‑paid via payroll deduction or the employer may choose to fund on behalf of their employees.
Private Plan Alternative
- Private plans are individually underwritten
- Payroll deductions may be used but cannot exceed the public plan cost for employees.
What Is A NJ TDI/NJ FLI Private Plan?
New Jersey employers are automatically enrolled in the Public Plan. However, employers may instead comply through a state‑approved private plan. Employers can choose to offer just NJ TDI or NJ FLI in a private plan or have both covered under a private plan.
A NJ TDI / NJ FLI private plan may be either fully insured or self‑insured and must:
- Provide the same or better benefits as the public plan
- Offer equal rights and protections to employees
- Cost employees no more than the state plan payroll deduction
The DBL Center works with a network of approved private plan carriers that offer compliant and cost‑effective solutions.
What Are The Advantages Of A Private Plan?
Here are top of mind advantages for New Jersey employers who are considering a private plan for their NJ TDI/NJ FLI compliance needs:
- Potential cost savings
- Plans are individually underwritten, like other insured employer benefit coverages
- Consistent renewal pricing
- Employers receive an exemption from contributing to the state fund
- Improved claims experience
- Faster claims turnaround times and claim support
- Access to dedicated claims professionals instead of call centers
- Employer‑Level Absence Reporting
- Visibility into claim status and approved leave dates
- Especially helpful for tracking leaves taken intermittently
How Do I Apply For A Private Plan?
The DBL Center team supports both you and your clients throughout the entire private plan process.
Step 1: Request a Private Plan Quote
We compare private plan pricing, benefits, and service levels against the state public plan.
Required census details include:
- All New Jersey employees including remote workers
- Gender
- Employment status (full‑time, part‑time, seasonal)
- Individual’s age
- Total New Jersey wages (including overtime and bonuses)
Step 2: Select an Insurance Carrier
- A NJ TDI and/or NJ FLI policy will be issued. NJ FLI may be a rider to the NJ TDI policy or may be a stand-alone policy depending on your carrier.
- If the private plan is for workers under a collective bargaining agreement, and if they are required to contribute towards the cost of the coverage, an employee vote is needed.
- No vote is needed for workers.
Step 3: Apply For The State Exemption
- New Jersey allows the insurance carrier to apply for the NJ TDI/NJ FLI private plan exemption on your behalf.
- Best Practice – NJ TDI/NJ FLI private plans are effective the 1st of the new quarter. Applying for your private plan needs time for your state to approve. The state also asks prior carriers to give 60 days advance notice for any transfer of private plan liability. The following is a timeline for private plan submission and approval dates.
| Quarter 1 (begins January 1) | Quarter 2 (begins April 1) | Quarter 3 (begins July 1) | Quarter 4 (begins October 1) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private Plan application submission | November 1 | January 31 | May 1 | August 1 |
| Private plan Effective date | January 1 | April 1 | July 1 | October 1 |
Why Choose DBL Center?
With 40 years of experience in state‑mandated disability and leave programs, The DBL Center is poised and ready to support your state needs. Let us be your trusted partner for navigating complex TDI/PFL requirements on behalf of our clients.
We provide:
- Expert support for the broker and clients due to the state mandated enhancements to their program that may impact workers and/or claims.
- Access to competitive, compliant private plan options
- Strategic views of state mandated benefits
- Ongoing service and support beyond the initial sale, through implementations and renewals
- Net Revenue Tracker enabling Broker access to their renewals, cancellations and book of business from anywhere.
Our goal is to deliver cost‑effective solutions with a seamless experience for both employers and employees.