Your weekly benefit rate is calculated using your average weekly wage. The average weekly wage is generally based on the earnings in the eight calendar weeks immediately before the week in which the disability begins. The total wages earned during all base weeks worked in the eight week period are divided by the number of such base weeks to obtain the average weekly wage. Each claimant is paid two-thirds (2/3) of his/her average weekly wage up to the maximum amount payable set for that calendar year. The maximum weekly benefit rate is $561 for disabilities beginning on or after January 1, 2010.
For example, you earned the following weekly wage in the last eight weeks before becoming disabled:
Week 1 -- $300 |
Week 5 -- $300 |
Week 2 -- $250 |
Week 6 -- $300 |
Week 3 -- $250 |
Week 7 -- $350 |
Week 4 -- $300 |
Week 8 -- $350 |
Total wages for those eight weeks = $2400
$2400 divided by 8 = $300
Your average weekly wage is $300
The Weekly Benefit Rate = $200 which is two-thirds of $300
Maximum Benefit Amount (MBA)
The maximum benefit amount which may be paid for each period of disability is one-third (1/3) of the total wages you earned in New Jersey covered employment during the base year, or 26 times the weekly benefit amount, whichever is less.
