Short Term Disability Income: State Programs

Name:   Temporary Disability Benefits

Who Must Carry:    All New Jersey employers except certain government entities.

Premium:   Employee cost cannot exceed 0.5% of the first $22,100 of annual wages per person. Employer cost is based on a factor assigned by experience, not exceeding 0.75% of the first $22,100 of wages.

Benefits:    66-2/3% of the average weekly wage to a maximum per week. Benefit is based on the base earnings in the eight calendar weeks before the start of the disability.

Taxes:   New Jersey Temporary Disability benefits are taxable to the extent that the employer pays the insurance premiums. For example, if the employer pays 50% of the premiums, 50% of the benefits will be subject to income tax.

Waiting period:   Eighth day of Disability. If employee is disabled for three consecutive weeks following the waiting period, benefits are retroactive to the first day of disability.

Benefit Period:   26 Weeks

Covers:   All employees working in New Jersey except for certain government employees.

Eligibility:   As of 2010, a disabled worker must have Earnings of at least $145 per week for 20 base weeks of covered employment in New Jersey prior to the start of the disability or, alternatively a total $7,300 in earnings from covered employment in the 52 weeks immediately before the start of the disability. It doesn't matter whether you have a pre-existing condition. Medical questions aren't asked.

Claim Forms:   Form DS-1, "Claim for Disability Benefits," may be obtained from your employer, union, local unemployment claims office, or the Division of Temporary Disability Insurance. A claim form can also be obtained through the Customer Service Unit at (609) 292-7060. You must file your claim for benefits within 30 days of the start of your disability. Failure to file by the deadline may result in the loss of some or all of your benefits.

Source of Coverage:   Coverage may be obtained from the state of New Jersey, a private insurer or self-funded by the employer, union, or management-union welfare fund. Private plans must provide at least the same benefits as the state plan, although they can offer more.

For More Information:   www.lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor . Click on "employee."

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