New Jersey Temporary Disability Benefits (TDB) and Family Leave Insurance (FLI). The New Jersey Temporary Disability Benefits (TDB) law, enacted in 1948 and later amended in 2008 to include Family Leave Insurance (FLI), allows for NJ covered workers to take paid time off for their own non-occupational related injury or illness (under TDB) or to care for a family member with a serious health condition or bond with a new child (under FLI).
Which employers are subject to the law? Most New Jersey employers subject to the provisions of the Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) are also subject to NJ TDB law and are required to provide coverages for their employees working in NJ. There are some employment classes considered exempt from Unemployment Compensation Coverage and likewise be exempt from the coverage requirements under NJ TDB law. Please refer to the NJ DOL Employer Handbook on the state website for more details on Exempt Employment.
Who is eligible for benefits? To be eligible for TDB or FLI, a worker must have paid into the program through their employer and meet the minimum gross earnings requirements.
In 2023, a worker must have worked 20 weeks earning at least $260 weekly, or have earned a combined total of $13,000 in what is called a “base year.”
In 2022, a worker must have worked 20 weeks earning at least $240 weekly, or have earned a combined total of $12,000 in what is called a “base year.”
The base year is defined as the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters prior to the start of a claim. The wages earned during the base year will determine the weekly benefits that a worker is eligible to receive. For example: If an employee filed a claim on July 1, 2022, their base year is April 1, 2021– March 31, 2022.
As always please talk to your Total Benefit Solutions, Inc health insurance specialist to address any questions, concerns or shop around for a new mandated disability plan for your organization… (215)355-2121 www.totalbenefits.net