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The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development announced Dec. 29 updated benefit rates and taxable wage bases for 2026, reflecting increases tied to statewide wage growth.

The changes take effect Jan. 1, 2026. They apply to Unemployment Insurance, Temporary Disability Insurance, Family Leave Insurance and Workers’ Compensation programs.

Maximum weekly benefits will rise to:

• UI: $905 up from $875 
• TDI/FLI: $1,119 up from $1,081
• Workers’ Comp: $1,199 up from $1,159
  • For temporary disability, permanent total disability, permanent partial disability and dependency

The state recalculates benefit rates and taxable wage bases annually based on the statewide average weekly wage from the second preceding calendar year.

For 2026, rates reflect a $1,598.66 average weekly wage in 2024, a 3.4% increase from 2023. The taxable wage base for workers and employers covered under the Unemployment Compensation Law will increase to $44,800 (up from $43,300). For Temporary Disability and Family Leave Insurance, the taxable wage base for workers will rise from $165,400 to $171,100 in 2026.

Eligibility thresholds will also increase in 2026. Applicants must earn at least $310 per week for 20 base weeks, or $15,500 in total earnings. The figures are up from $303 and $15,200, respectively. These thresholds are based on New Jersey’s minimum wage (as of Oct. 1, 2025,  $15.49 per hour), which will rise to $15.92 per hour Jan. 1, 2026.

Additionally, the Unemployment Insurance contribution rate for participating state and local government entities will decrease to 0.5% in 2026 (down from 0.6% in 2025).