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How does New Jersey Family Leave Insurance (NJ FLI) work?

What you can expect if you need paid family leave in New Jersey

 

Quick answer
 NJ FLI applies to employers with at least one qualifying employee working in New Jersey. Eligible employees can receive partial wage replacement and job protection — up to 12 weeks continuous or up to 8 weeks (56 individual days) intermittent per 12-month period — for caring for a family member, bonding with a new child, or certain domestic/sexual violence or communicable disease-related reasons.

Who this applies to / Prerequisites

  • Employees who work in New Jersey for any employer and meet base-year earnings requirements (the first four of the last five completed quarters). For 2026: either worked 20 weeks and earned at least $310/week, or earned a total of $15,500.

Key facts

  1. NJ FLI provides partial wage replacement and job protection for: caring for a family member with a serious health condition; the birth of a child (within 12 months of birth); placement of a child for adoption or foster care (within 12 months of placement); certain reasons related to the employee or a family member being a victim of domestic or sexual violence; or a family member's diagnosis of or suspected exposure to a communicable disease during a declared public health emergency.
  2. NJ FLI defines "family member" broadly: a parent, spouse, child (of any age), parent-in-law, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, domestic partner, chosen family, an individual related by blood, or anyone the employee considers family.
  3. Employees can use up to 12 weeks of continuous leave, or up to 56 individual days (8 weeks) of intermittent leave, in a 12-month period.
  4. Employees receive up to 85% of their average weekly wages, depending on income. For 2026, the maximum weekly benefit is $1,119.
  5. Intermittent NJ FLI leave is paid only in increments of at least one day.
  6. There is no waiting period for NJ FLI leave.
  7. NJ FLI is funded through payroll tax deductions; employers report quarterly earnings to the state and contribute a percentage of employee earnings.
  8. Employees apply directly through the state of New Jersey, or through an insurance carrier or HR if the employer has an approved private plan.
  9. NJ FLI runs concurrently with federal FMLA and NJ FLA when applicable.

What if it doesn't work

  • I want to use intermittent leave in partial-day increments: NJ FLI only pays in increments of at least one full day.
  • I'm not sure whether to take continuous or intermittent leave: You can use up to 12 weeks continuous or up to 56 days intermittent — contact your Leave Success Manager to discuss what fits your situation.
  • If none of these apply, contact your Leave Success Manager (employees) or Customer Success Manager (HR teams).

Limits and exceptions

  • Continuous leave is capped at 12 weeks; intermittent leave is capped at 56 individual days (8 weeks) per 12-month period.
  • Intermittent leave is only paid in full-day increments.
  • The $310/week, $15,500, and $1,119 figures are specific to 2026 and may change in future years.

Related questions

  • How does the New Jersey Family Leave Act (NJ FLA) work?
  • How does New Jersey Temporary Disability Insurance (NJ TDI) work?