In New Jersey, most people who are employed are covered by State Temporary Disability Benefits. These benefits are earned through deductions from your paycheck throughout the year. If injured and unable to work, most people are eligible to collect up to 70% of their gross wages while disabled. These benefits have a maximum duration of six months.
If you are not eligible for State Disability, your employer may provide a private plan. Ask your personnel office about the benefits you are entitled to receive.
Finally, your own auto insurance policy also provides limited benefits for lost wages. These Income Continuation Benefits pay for lost wages for a minimum of 52 weeks in the amount of $100 or more per week. This amount can be greatly increased in both weekly amount and time period of payments by selecting available options. These benefits receive a credit for any Temporary Disability Benefits you are entitled to receive (whether or not you actually receive them). Therefore, you must apply for Temporary Disability Benefits immediately upon stopping work.
