New Jersey State Disability Insurance

New Jersey state disability insurance is meant to offer temporary assistance to disabled workers. The provisions of the program are similar to the state-sponsored plans of the other four states that offer disability insurance. Cash benefits are paid for non work-related illness or injury.

Wage earners who become disabled have three options for disability insurance coverage: the state plan, a private plan, or the Disability During Unemployment plan. Employers may opt to cover their employees either through the state or private carrier plan, but any private or union coverage cannot be more restrictive than the state plan. Under state coverage, a worker must have at least 20 weeks of employment in a year and earned at least $5,200 in wages.

Limitations on Benefits

Of course, there are wage and medical requirements to be eligible for benefits under the state disability insurance plan, but there are other limitations as well. If you are only off work, or disabled, for seven days or less, you do not qualify for any payments. If you have already received the maximum of 26 weeks of benefits for any one disability, you may not apply for further benefits.

New Jersey state disability insurance will not pay out benefits if you are not under medical care. Medical care may be provided by a physician, dentist, podiatrist, chiropractor, optometrist, or psychologist. Exclusions include self-inflicted injuries, or injuries resulting from a criminal act.