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Division of Temporary Disability and Family Leave InsuranceURL reading ( My Leave Benefits . NJ . Gov )

father and mother holding their new baby and smiling
Expanded Benefits are Here

What's new with Family Leave Insurance and
Temporary Disability Insurance?

As of July 1, 2020, eligible New Jersey workers can take more time off to bond with a new child or care for a loved one, and collect higher benefit amounts than before.

More time for Family Leave: NJ workers can now get up to 12 consecutive weeks of benefits per year to bond with a new child or care for a loved one.

Higher benefit amounts for both Family Leave and Temporary Disability: NJ workers can now get up to 85% of their average weekly wage, up to a maximum set per calendar year, to bond with a new child or care for a loved one, as well as for pregnancy, childbirth or a serious health condition.

Scroll down for more details on these changes, as well as others that have been implemented over the last few years. Click here to print a timeline of these changes.

Here are some highlights of what's changed:
1 of 5 woman with a baby
More time to bond with a new child or care for a loved one

Workers will now be able to claim up to 12 consecutive weeks of Family Leave Insurance benefits during a 12-month period (up from six weeks) to bond with a new child or care for a loved one. Workers who take intermittent days will be able to claim benefits for up to 56 days (up from 42 days).

2 of 5 happy blended family walking together
Increased weekly benefit rate and maximum

As of July 1, 2020, the maximum weekly benefit rate for both programs will be calculated at 85% of a worker's average weekly wage, up to a maximum set per calendar year. Only workers with a first day of leave on or after July 1 are eligible for increased benefits.

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You can care for more loved ones

Family structures are diverse and caregiving responsibilities reflect that. You can receive Family Leave Insurance benefits to care for your loved ones – a child, spouse, parent, or domestic partner as well as parents-in-law, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, any blood relative, plus anyone else with whom you have a close, family-like relationship.

4 of 5 dad with a baby
You don’t have to reduce your Family Leave Insurance benefit amount by using paid time off

Before, if you had paid time off available through your job, your employer could require you to bundle those company-paid days off into your leave time, reducing the amount of Family Leave Insurance benefits for which you could qualify. Now, you can choose to take company-paid time off in addition to the maximum duration of Family Leave Insurance benefits to which you are entitled.

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Survivors of domestic or sexual violence and their caregivers are both eligible for Family Leave Insurance benefits

When a survivor or their caregiver needs to take time off from work to attend to matters relating to the domestic violence or sexual assault, such as treatment, counseling, or legal proceedings, they can receive Family Leave Insurance benefits. Click here for more information.

Federal Job Protection Laws

Federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

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State Job Protection Laws

New Jersey Family Leave Act (NJFLA)

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