What Temporary Disability Is in New Jersey

Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) in New Jersey is a state program that replaces part of your wages if you cannot work because of an illness or injury that is not work-related. The program is funded by payroll deductions from your paycheck — your employer withholds a small percentage, and you do not pay anything out of pocket beyond that deduction.

TDI is different from workers' compensation, which covers injuries that happen on the job. TDI covers you if you get sick, have surgery, or are injured outside of work and your doctor says you cannot work. It also covers pregnancy and childbirth. The benefit is temporary — it lasts only as long as your doctor certifies you cannot work, up to a maximum of 26 weeks in a benefit year.

New Jersey is one of only five states that has a temporary disability program. If you work in New Jersey and your employer has employees on payroll, you are likely already covered through deductions from your salary.

Key Takeaways

  • Temporary Disability Insurance in New Jersey replaces about two-thirds of your weekly wages if you cannot work due to illness, injury, or pregnancy.
  • The program is funded by payroll deductions from your paycheck; you do not pay a separate premium or file taxes to enroll.
  • You must file a claim with the New Jersey Division of Temporary Disability Insurance within 30 days of the date you stop working.
  • Your doctor must complete a medical certification form stating you cannot work and the expected duration of your disability.
  • Benefits typically begin after a seven-day waiting period and continue for up to 26 weeks in a benefit year.

Who Is Covered by New Jersey TDI

Most employees in New Jersey are covered by TDI if they work for an employer with one or more employees on payroll. This includes full-time and part-time workers. Self-employed people are not covered unless they choose to pay into the program voluntarily.

If you work for a religious, charitable, or educational organization that has obtained a waiver from the state, you may not be covered. Some federal employees and railroad workers are also excluded. Your employer should tell you whether you are covered — the deduction on your pay stub is the clearest sign that you are.

If you are unsure whether your job is covered, you can contact the New Jersey Division of Temporary Disability Insurance directly. They can confirm your coverage status based on your employer's name and your Social Security number.

How Much You Receive and for How Long

The amount you receive is based on your average weekly wage over the 26 weeks before you stop working. New Jersey replaces approximately two-thirds of that average, up to a maximum weekly benefit amount. The maximum benefit amount changes each year; you can find the current maximum on the Division of Temporary Disability Insurance website.

Your benefits last as long as your doctor certifies you cannot work, but no longer than 26 weeks in a benefit year. A benefit year runs from July 1 to June 30. If you return to work part-time while still partially disabled, you may receive a reduced benefit based on your reduced earnings.

The state does not pay benefits for the first seven days you are unable to work — this is called the waiting period. If your disability lasts longer than seven days, the waiting period is waived and you are paid from the first day. If you are hospitalized overnight, the waiting period is also waived.

How to File a Claim

You must file your claim within 30 days of the date you stop working. You can file online through the Division of Temporary Disability Insurance website, by mail, or by phone. Filing online is the fastest method.

To file, you will need your Social Security number, your employer's name and address, the date you stopped working, and the reason you cannot work. You will also need to provide your doctor's name and contact information. The state will send a medical certification form to your doctor, who must complete it and return it directly to the Division.

After you file, the Division will send you a notice telling you whether your claim has been accepted or denied. If it is accepted, they will tell you when your first payment will arrive. Payments are made by direct deposit or by check, depending on what you choose.

What Your Doctor Must Certify

Your doctor must complete a medical certification form stating that you are unable to work because of a specific medical condition. The form asks for the date your condition began, the date you became unable to work, and the expected date you will be able to return to work.

The Division sends this form directly to your doctor after you file your claim. Your doctor does not need to send it to you first — they send it back to the Division. If your doctor does not return the form within 10 days, the Division will contact them.

If your disability lasts longer than your doctor originally expected, you may need to file a recertification. The Division will tell you if this is necessary and will send another form to your doctor.

When Benefits Stop

Your benefits end when one of these things happens: your doctor says you are able to return to work, you reach the 26-week maximum for your benefit year, or you return to work. If you go back to work part-time, you can continue to receive a partial benefit as long as your earnings do not exceed a certain amount — the Division will explain this when they approve your claim.

If you return to work and then become unable to work again for the same condition within 12 weeks, you may be able to reopen your claim without filing a new one. If the new disability is for a different condition, you will need to file a new claim.

The Division may also stop your benefits if you do not cooperate with their requests for information, if you refuse a job you are able to do, or if you are receiving workers' compensation for the same period.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I receive TDI if I am having surgery?

Yes. If your doctor says you cannot work because of surgery and recovery, you can file a TDI claim. You should file before your surgery date if possible so the claim is processed and ready when you stop working. The waiting period is waived if you are hospitalized overnight.

What if my employer says I am not covered?

Contact the Division of Temporary Disability Insurance to verify your coverage. Most employees in New Jersey are covered. If your employer withholds TDI from your paycheck, you are covered. The Division can confirm this and help you file a claim even if your employer disputes it.

Can I work part-time while receiving TDI?

Yes, but your benefit will be reduced based on how much you earn. If you earn more than a certain amount per week, you may not receive a benefit that week. The Division will explain the earnings limit when they approve your claim and will adjust your payments based on what you report.

What happens if I disagree with a decision to deny my claim?

You have the right to appeal. You must request an appeal hearing within 20 days of the denial notice. The Division will schedule a hearing where you can present evidence and your doctor can testify about your condition. You can bring a representative or attorney to the hearing.

Does TDI count as income for other programs?

TDI benefits may count as income for means-tested programs like Medicaid or SNAP. Contact the program directly to ask how they treat TDI payments. Some programs have special rules for temporary disability income.