New Jersey · Paid Leave · Updated April 2026

NJ FLI: 12 weeks of state-funded family leave wage replacement.

New Jersey's Family Leave Insurance (FLI) provides up to 12 weeks of state-funded wage replacement for bonding with a new child (birth, adoption, or foster placement) or caring for a family member with a serious health condition. 85% of average weekly wage up to $1,119/week in 2026. Funded entirely by employee contributions (0.23% TDI/FLI combined rate, allocated to FLI portion). After the 2026 NJFLA expansion (July 17, 2026), FLI also carries job restoration rights for covered employers.

Max Duration
12 weeks
Max Weekly Benefit
$1,119 (2026)
Authority
N.J.S.A. 43:21-39.1
Active

FLI Contribution + Job Restoration Coordination

Tracks FLI claims and coordinates with NJFLA job restoration (effective July 17, 2026). Manages FLI/ESL non-concurrent runtime per A3451 amendment. Withholds combined 0.23% TDI/FLI contribution.

Flag · FLI claim job protection coverage check
Avoid · concurrent FLI + ESL use (post-July 2026)
Always running

What those rules do at leave request and at payroll.

The hero card configuration: Flag on FLI/NJFLA coordination, Avoid on concurrent ESL+FLI use.

Flag · FLI claim coordinated with NJFLA job protection

When a worker files an FLI claim, Teambridge surfaces NJFLA coverage check (15+ employees worldwide as of July 17, 2026) and the job-restoration obligation. Reinstatement to same or equivalent position is enforced.

Avoid · concurrent ESL and FLI use

Post-July 17, 2026, workers cannot use ESL and FLI concurrently for the same leave period. The worker selects the sequence; employers cannot require concurrent use. Concurrent use attempts are flagged for resolution.

Skip the configuration

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Tell us about your New Jersey workforce. We'll spin up FLI claim coordination, NJFLA job-restoration tracking, ESL/FLI non-concurrent sequencing, and 21 other NJ policies in a sandbox tenant.

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The rule, plainly stated

Bonding, caregiving, safe leave — wage replacement only, with new 2026 job protection.

FLI provides wage replacement; NJFLA provides job protection. After July 17, 2026, the two programs effectively merge for covered employers — and ESL and FLI become non-concurrent.

N.J.S.A. 43:21-39.1 — NJ Family Leave Insurance: Eligible employees who take family leave for bonding with a new child or caring for a family member with a serious health condition shall receive wage replacement benefits administered by the Division of Temporary Disability and Family Leave Insurance.

Qualifying events

FLI covers: bonding with a new child (birth, adoption, foster placement) within 12 months of the event; caring for a family member with a serious health condition; and 'safe leave' for a worker or family member who is a victim of domestic violence, sexual violence, stalking, or sexually-based offenses. Family member is broadly defined: spouse, civil union partner, child, parent, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, parent-in-law, and any individual related by blood or whose close association is the equivalent of family.

Benefit calculation

85% of average weekly wage during the base year, up to $1,119/week in 2026. Same calculation as TDI. Workers can take FLI continuously (up to 12 consecutive weeks) or intermittently (up to 8 weeks of intermittent leave in a 12-month period). For bonding claims, the 12-month period begins on the child's birth, placement, or adoption date.

On autopilot

Teambridge handles FLI contributions, NJFLA coordination, and the new ESL non-concurrent rule.

The July 2026 NJFLA expansion is the most significant FLI change since the 2008 enactment of the program.

01 · FLI contribution withholding

0.23% combined TDI/FLI rate.

Every payroll run withholds the combined 0.23% TDI/FLI rate from each worker's wages (capped at $171,100). Contributions remitted to NJDOL.

02 · FLI claim → NJFLA coverage check

Job restoration coverage validated.

When an FLI claim is filed, Teambridge checks NJFLA coverage (15+ employees worldwide post-July 2026) and surfaces the job-restoration obligation.

03 · ESL/FLI non-concurrent sequencing

Worker selects order.

Post-July 17, 2026, workers select whether to use ESL or FLI first. Concurrent use is blocked; the system enforces sequencing per worker election.

04 · Bonding window tracking

12-month bonding period tracked.

For bonding claims, the 12-month window from birth/adoption/placement is tracked. Multiple FLI claim segments within the window are aggregated against the 12-week annual limit.

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FAQ

People also ask.

What does NJ FLI cover?
Bonding with a new child (birth, adoption, foster placement), caring for a family member with a serious health condition, and 'safe leave' for victims of domestic violence, sexual violence, stalking, or sexually-based offenses.
How much does FLI pay?
85% of average weekly wage up to $1,119/week in 2026 (up from $1,081 in 2025). Same calculation as TDI. Workers earning above the cap receive only the maximum.
How long does FLI last?
Up to 12 consecutive weeks per 12-month period for continuous leave. Or up to 8 weeks of intermittent leave in a 12-month period. For bonding, the window is 12 months from the child's birth, placement, or adoption.
What's changing in July 2026?
The NJFLA expansion (A3451) takes effect July 17, 2026. Coverage threshold drops from 30 to 15 employees, eligibility from 12 months/1,000 hours to 3 months/250 hours. Workers receiving FLI/TDI now have job-restoration rights at covered employers. ESL and FLI cannot run concurrently — workers select the sequence.
Who's eligible for FLI?
Workers who worked 20 weeks earning at least $310 weekly in 2026 OR earned $15,500 in the base year (first four of the last five completed quarters before leave). Alternative base year calculations exist for workers who don't qualify on the standard test.