How to Apply for N.J. Temporary Disability Insurance
If you worked in New Jersey and are no longer able to work because of an illness or injury incurred outside the workplace, you may be eligible for New Jersey temporary disability. This program pays a weekly benefit for up to 26 weeks per year. You have to meet certain eligibility requirements, and there is a maximum weekly benefit of $470. If your employer offers private disability insurance, or if you have a policy you purchased as an individual, you should apply for those benefits as well to ensure receiving the maximum benefits possible.
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Things You'll Need
- Application Form DS-1
- Paycheck Stub indicating Year-to-Date Earnings
- Pen
Instructions
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Review New Jersey's guidelines for temporary disability eligibility. You must be disabled and under active medical care. You also need to have worked for a covered New Jersey employer for a minimum of 20 weeks during your base year. Your base year is the year immediately preceding when your disability started. You also need to have earned a minimum of $145 per week during those 20 weeks, or $7,300 over the base year. Your disability must last more than seven days, and start while you're employed or within 14 days of ending employment. If your disability is self-inflicted or caused by a criminal act, you're also ineligible.
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Request an application for temporary disability. You can download it online, request it by writing or calling your employer, by writing the Division of Temporary Disability Insurance, P.O. Box 387, Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0387 or by calling 609-292-7060.
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Complete the application. There are three sections: one for you to complete, one for your doctor and one for your employer. Complete your section, and mail, fax or hand-deliver the forms to your doctor and employer. Make a copy of the application, then mail all three sections to the address specified on the application. Use certified mail for tracking purposes, as the claim must be submitted within 30 days of the start of your disability.
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Review your determination letter. If approved, you should receive your first benefit payment within two or three weeks of the date the disability office received your application. If you're denied, you can appeal the decision. The instructions are included in your determination; and you must appeal within seven days of receiving your determination letter.
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Provide any further information requested from the disability office. New Jersey requires you to regularly provide proof of your disability, and you may be required to visit an independent doctor to verify your disability.
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Tips & Warnings
If you anticipate your disability lasting more than 26 weeks (the maximum benefit period), apply for Social Security Disability Insurance as soon as possible. It can take three to five months for an SSDI claim to be determined.
Don't apply for New Jersey temporary disability if you worked in another state. Even if you live in New Jersey, you have to apply for benefits with the state where you worked.
References
- New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development: Wage Requirements -- State Plan
- New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development: Limitation of Benefits --State Plan
- New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development: How to Apply -- State Plan
- New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development: Appeals -- State Plan
- New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development: How Benefits Are Paid -- State Plan
