What New Jersey Temporary Disability Insurance Is
New Jersey Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) is a state program that replaces part of your wages if you cannot work because of a non-work injury, illness, or pregnancy. It is not the same as Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). TDI is a short-term program—it typically pays for up to 26 weeks—while SSDI is a federal program for people with disabilities expected to last a year or longer.
New Jersey is one of only five states that runs its own temporary disability program. Your employer and you both contribute to it through payroll deductions. When you need it, the state—not your employer—pays the benefit directly to you.
TDI covers disabilities that are not work-related. If you were injured at work, you would file a workers' compensation claim instead. TDI also covers pregnancy-related disabilities, including time before and after childbirth.
Key Takeaways
- New Jersey TDI replaces roughly 66% of your weekly wages for up to 26 weeks if you cannot work due to illness, injury, or pregnancy.
- You and your employer both pay into the program through payroll deductions; you do not pay a separate premium or fee to file a claim.
- You must have worked in New Jersey for at least 20 weeks in the past 52 weeks and earned at least $150 per week to be covered.
- You file a claim with the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, and your doctor must certify that you cannot work.
- Benefits typically begin after a seven-day waiting period, though some situations waive or shorten this wait.
Who Is Covered by New Jersey TDI
Most private-sector employees in New Jersey are covered by TDI automatically. Your employer deducts the contribution from your paycheck, and the state holds the money in a fund. You do not choose to join—coverage is mandatory for employers with one or more employees.
Some workers are not covered. Self-employed people, federal employees, railroad workers, and certain government employees are excluded. If you work for a religious organization or nonprofit, your employer may have chosen to opt out of the program, though this is uncommon.
To file a claim, you must have worked in New Jersey for at least 20 weeks in the 52 weeks before your disability began. You must also have earned at least $150 per week during that time. Part-time workers and people who recently moved to New Jersey may not meet these thresholds.
What Disabilities TDI Covers
TDI covers any condition that prevents you from working, as long as it is not work-related. This includes surgery recovery, serious illness, mental health conditions, and pregnancy-related disabilities. Pregnancy coverage includes time before your due date (if your doctor says you cannot work), the birth itself, and recovery afterward.
The disability must be certified by a licensed healthcare provider—a doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant. Your provider fills out a medical certification form that you submit with your claim. The state does not decide whether you are disabled; your doctor does.
TDI does not cover disabilities caused by work. If you were injured or became ill because of your job, you file a workers' compensation claim with your employer's insurance carrier instead. The two programs do not overlap.
How Much TDI Pays and for How Long
New Jersey TDI replaces approximately 66% of your average weekly wage, up to a maximum amount that changes each year. The maximum weekly benefit for 2024 is $901, though this figure increases annually. Your actual payment depends on what you earned in the weeks before your disability began.
Benefits last up to 26 weeks in a 52-week period. If your disability lasts longer than 26 weeks, TDI ends and you would need to explore other options, such as SSDI or your employer's long-term disability plan if one exists.
The state pays you directly by check or electronic transfer, usually every two weeks. Your employer does not handle the payments. If you return to work part-time while receiving TDI, your benefit is reduced by the amount you earn, so there is no advantage to working while collecting.
How to File a Claim
You file a TDI claim with the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. You can file online through their website, by mail, or by phone. Filing online is fastest—you can submit your claim and medical certification the same day your disability begins.
To file, you need your Social Security number, employer information, and dates of employment. You also need a medical certification form completed by your doctor. The form is provided by the state, and your doctor's office usually charges a small fee to complete it, though some offices do this at no cost.
Submit your claim as soon as your disability begins. The state has a seven-day waiting period before benefits start, so filing early means you receive payment sooner. If you wait weeks to file, the waiting period still applies, and you lose that time.
After you file, the state reviews your claim and contacts you if they need more information. This process usually takes one to two weeks. Once approved, you receive your first payment within days.
The Waiting Period and When Benefits Begin
New Jersey TDI has a seven-day waiting period. This means benefits do not begin until the eighth day of your disability. You do not receive payment for those first seven days, even if your claim is approved when ready.
Some situations waive or shorten the waiting period. If your disability is caused by hospitalization, the waiting period is waived entirely—you receive payment from day one. If you are receiving workers' compensation, the waiting period is also waived.
For pregnancy-related disabilities, the waiting period applies to the period before your due date. Once you give birth, the waiting period is waived for the recovery period afterward.
What Happens If Your Claim Is Denied
The state may deny your claim if you do not meet the work history requirement (20 weeks in the past 52 weeks), if your doctor's certification is incomplete, or if your condition is determined to be work-related. A denial does not mean you have no options.
You have the right to appeal a denial. You must request an appeal hearing within 20 days of the denial notice. At the hearing, you can present evidence and testimony about your disability. Many people win on appeal, especially if the initial denial was due to a missing document or incomplete medical form.
If your appeal is denied, you can request a further review, though this is less common. You may also explore whether you may have access to for SSDI or other state programs, depending on your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I receive TDI and workers' compensation at the same time?
No. If your disability is work-related, you file for workers' compensation, not TDI. If it is not work-related, you file for TDI. The two programs are separate, and you cannot collect both for the same period of disability.
What if I am still unable to work after 26 weeks of TDI?
TDI ends after 26 weeks in a 52-week period. If your disability continues, you may be able to file for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) if you expect to be unable to work for at least 12 months. SSDI is a federal program with different rules and a longer approval process. You can file for SSDI while still receiving TDI.
Do I have to tell my employer I am filing for TDI?
You do not have to tell your employer, but it is often a good idea. Your employer needs to know you will not be working, and filing for TDI does not affect your job security. New Jersey law protects you from retaliation for filing a claim.
What if my doctor will not fill out the medical certification form?
Your doctor is required to complete the form if you request it, though they may charge a fee. If your doctor refuses or is unavailable, you can ask another licensed healthcare provider who has treated you for the condition. If no provider will certify your disability, your claim will be denied.
Can I work part-time while receiving TDI?
You can work part-time, but your TDI benefit is reduced by the amount you earn. If you earn $200 per week and your TDI benefit is $600 per week, you receive $400. There is no financial benefit to working while on TDI, and it may delay your recovery.