We need information from you and your loved one's medical provider.

It is your responsibility to ensure that this information – including the medical provider portion – is forwarded to the Department's Family Leave Division. Once you submit your request, you will receive confirmation that we have received it.

If you plan ahead, you can start the application up to 60 days in advance and save it as a draft. save it as a draft. Once you start your license, you must go back to your draft to certify and submit your application. If you apply after your license begins, you have 30 days from your first day of license to apply.

It can take two to six weeks to approve a claim and pay benefits, once we have a complete application.

Receive 85% of your average salary, up to $1,025 per week

Your loved one's medical provider certifies the amount of time they need for you to care for them, up to a maximum of 12 consecutive weeks. If you need to divide your care leave into multiple periods, you can receive up to a maximum of 56 individual days (8 weeks) if you claim your benefits intermittently, either days or weeks at a time. 

Learn how you will be paid at myleavebenefits.nj.gov/yourpayment

Family Leave Insurance for COVID-19

If your loved one's health care provider certifies that they need care due to COVID-19, you may be eligible for Family Leave Insurance.

Family Leave Insurance for victims/survivors of domestic violence and their caregivers

If you need to take time off work to deal with certain issues related to domestic or sexual violence, you can collect Family Leave Insurance benefits. Family leave supports employees who are victim/survivors, or assisting a victim/survivor. To learn more, visit: myleavebenefits.nj.gov/keepingnjsafe.

If you are unemployed

If you have a loved one to care for, it's been more than 14 days since your last day of work, and you're not on employer-approved leave, you may be entitled to Family Leave Insurance. For more information visit: myleavebenefits.nj.gov/unemployed.

Family Leave Insurance to bond with a new child

Family Leave Insurance provides benefits to parents who stop working to bond with a newborn, newborn, adopted child, or newly placed foster child. Parents who give birth can also receive Temporary Disability Insurance benefits when they stop working before giving birth and while they recover. More information in
myleavebenefits.nj.gov.

Covered Employers and Employees

Employers, including local governments (for example, counties, municipalities, and school districts) must participate in the State Family Leave Insurance Plan and deduct their payroll taxes for it, or provide a private plan. The federal government is exempt. Generally, employees who work a significant amount of time outside of NJ are not covered, but it is recommended that they apply to find out if they are eligible. If a private plan is covered, contact your employer for more information and an application.

employment protection

Family Leave Insurance is a wage replacement program and does not provide employment protection. However, your job may be protected by the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or the Security and Financial Empowerment (SAFE) Act.

Additionally, if an employer retaliates against you for taking or attempting to take Family Leave benefits, you have the right to take private legal action.

For more, please visit myleavebenefits.nj.gov/jobprotection.