New Jersey offers two key programs to help employees during parental leave or family-related absences: the Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) program and the Family Leave Insurance (FLI) program. Each program offers distinct benefits to support birthing and non-birthing parents, ensuring that income replacement is available during important life transitions like pregnancy, childbirth, and bonding with a new child. No matter if you’re an employee or employer, we’ll walk you through the state programs to help you get started.
New Jersey’s TDI program is designed for birthing parents who need income replacement while they are temporarily unable to work due to pregnancy or childbirth-related disabilities. The program offers partial wage replacement during the period that you are medically unable to work. Like California, TDI (and FLI) is funded entirely by employee payroll deductions.
Please note that this is not legal or compliance guidance for leaves of absence or a guarantee of benefit approval. This information is intended to help simplify the filing process for those seeking to apply for TDI and FLI in the state of New Jersey.
Only birthing parents are eligible for TDI because this program covers the pregnancy disability portion of a parental leave. TDI would cover mothers who are unable to work due to pregnancy or childbirth. Non-birthing parents, adoptive parents, and foster parents are not eligible for TDI, skip ahead to the FLI program.
TDI provides up to 26 weeks, but for a pregnancy disability, 10-12 weeks of benefits is standard but dependent on medical needs. Generally, benefits are payable for up to 4 weeks before your expected due date and for 6-8 weeks after childbirth, depending on your doctor’s certification.
There is a mandatory 7-day waiting period before benefits kick in, known as the "Waiting Week." If you are unable to work for more than 22 consecutive days, the waiting period may be waived, and benefits will begin earlier.
TDI covers approximately 85% of your average weekly wage, up to a maximum of $1,055 per week as of 2024. The actual amount you receive depends on your earnings during the base year, which determines your weekly benefit rate. Here’s what a payroll schedule may look like for a birthing parent who is eligible for short term disability,TDI, FLI, and 14 weeks of paid parental leave with Parento.
Eligibility begins when your doctor certifies that you are medically unable to work due to pregnancy or childbirth. In most cases, this is based on your expected delivery date and continues until your doctor confirms you are medically cleared to return to work.
For parental leave, New Jersey’s FLI program provides wage replacement to both birthing and non-birthing parents who need to take time off to bond with a newborn, adopted child, or a new foster child. This program is available to both parents after the TDI period has ended for birthing parents. You can start a new application, apply for transitional bonding, or finish an application here.
FLI is available to all parents, including birthing parents (after TDI ends), non-birthing parents (e.g., dads), adoptive parents, and foster parents. TDI and FLI are funded through employee payroll deductions or ask your employer to confirm that you’re eligible. Being eligible for FLI does not guarantee job protection, as this program is separate from federal or state leave laws.
FLI provides up to 12 weeks of benefits for bonding with your child within the first year of their birth or placement. This time may be taken anytime up to 12 months after the birth or placement of the child, but please note that the maximum of 12 weeks can only be taken if all time is taken at once. If the parental leave is intermittent and not in a continuous block of time, then the benefits are limited to eight weeks.
FLI benefits begin on the first day of your leave. Unlike TDI, there is no waiting period before benefits start.
FLI covers up to 85% of your average weekly wage, with a maximum benefit of $1,055 per week as of 2024. Similar to TDI, your base year earnings will determine your exact benefit amount. Here’s what it may look like for a non-birthing parent who is eligible for FLI and 14 weeks of paid parental leave with Parento.
You are eligible for FLI as soon as you have left work to begin bonding with your child. For birthing parents who received TDI, you will automatically receive instructions to transition into FLI after your disability period ends. For non-birthing parents, your parental leave process starts here.
Applying for parental leave and state benefits in New Jersey can be a bit complicated, but it’s not impossible! Stay in communication with your employer and for more guidance and support, check out our PFL Guide.
Here are a few final tips to help you prepare for your parental leave:
By staying informed and proactive, you can maximize the benefits of New Jersey’s paid leave programs during this important time for your family.
