What could you be paid?
Family Leave Insurance pays 85% of average weekly wages, capped at $1,119 weekly in 2026. This is a gross benefit; use expected deductions when making a take-home budget.
Who may qualify?
For 2026, generally 20 base weeks earning at least $310 per week, or total base-year earnings of at least $15,500. These wage tests differ from employer tenure tests for other leave laws.
What protects your job?
Rules expanded July 17, 2026. NJFLA now generally covers employers with at least 15 employees worldwide or government agencies of any size, and has shorter service requirements. New TDI/FLI protections also matter; check the state’s updated protection guide rather than older summaries.
Recovery leave and bonding
Temporary Disability Insurance can cover certified pregnancy disability and recovery. FLI covers bonding. The separate NJFLA does not cover your own disability, which can affect how job protection overlaps.
Notice, dates, and deadlines
Up to 12 consecutive weeks or 56 individual days in a 12-month period. For bonding, give 30 days’ notice for continuous leave and 15 days for noncontinuous leave. Confirm the claim filing deadline.
How to apply
Use MyLeaveBenefits and choose the correct TDI or FLI claim. Keep proof of birth or placement and wage records. When transitioning from disability, follow the state’s bonding instructions.
Before you choose your dates
Ask for one written timeline showing the source of pay and the protection for each part of your absence. Include prior leave used, any waiting period, employer top-up rules, health-premium payments, and the first scheduled workday after leave. The maximum listed above is not a personal approval.
Your application folder
- Employer contact, work location, hire date, wage records and schedule.
- Proof of birth or placement accepted by the program.
- Medical certification only when the requested leave reason requires it.
- Proposed dates, any split schedule, and the employer’s notice confirmation.
- Submitted forms, receipt numbers, decisions, and appeal deadlines.
After approval, check whether continuing certifications or weekly claims are required. Report work, other payments and date changes accurately. A state payment approval does not automatically update the employer’s absence record.
Official sources & further reading
Source review: October 7, 2026. Rules can change; the administrator makes the final determination.