Temporary Disability Benefits by State in 2026: Who Pays When You Can't Work

What Is Temporary Disability Insurance?

Temporary disability insurance (TDI) is a program that replaces a portion of your income if you can't work because of a non-work-related illness, injury, or pregnancy. The word "temporary" is key here. These are short-term programs meant to cover you while you recover, not to pay you indefinitely.

Most TDI programs replace somewhere between 60% and 70% of your wages up to a weekly maximum. They're funded through payroll taxes, employer contributions, or a mix of both, depending on the state.

The big catch is that TDI programs are only available in a handful of places. If you live in most U.S. states, there's no mandatory short-term disability coverage waiting for you when you get sick. You're on your own unless your employer offers it voluntarily or you bought a private policy.

How TDI Is Different from SSDI

People confuse temporary disability insurance with Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) all the time. They're actually completely separate programs.

State TDI programs are short-term. They're designed for situations where you're expected to recover and return to work. Most programs cover you for 26 to 52 weeks. Once you hit that limit, payments stop, whether you're better or not.

SSDI is a federal program for people with long-term or permanent disabilities. To qualify, your condition needs to be severe enough that you can't do any substantial work, and it needs to have lasted or be expected to last at least 12 months. You can read more about it in our guide to Social Security Disability benefits.

The other major difference is funding. State TDI programs are funded through state payroll taxes or employer contributions. SSDI is funded through the federal Social Security taxes you pay throughout your working life.

And then there's workers' compensation, which is yet another separate thing. Workers' comp covers injuries and illnesses that happen because of or at your job. TDI covers non-work-related conditions. If you hurt your back lifting boxes at work, that's a workers' comp situation. If you have surgery unrelated to your job and need time off, that's a TDI situation.

The 5 States (and Puerto Rico) That Have TDI

As of 2026, these are the only places in the United States with mandatory temporary disability insurance programs:

• California - State Disability Insurance (SDI)
• New Jersey - Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI)
• Rhode Island - Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI)
• Hawaii - Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI)
• New York - Disability Benefits Law (DBL)
• Puerto Rico - SINOT (Sistema de Seguro No Ocupacional de Incapacidad Temporal)

If you work as a W-2 employee in one of these states, you're likely already enrolled and paying into the program through payroll deductions, sometimes without even knowing it.

Let's go through each one in detail.

California State Disability Insurance (SDI)

California has the most generous temporary disability program in the country, and it's not particularly close. The state's SDI program is managed by the Employment Development Department (EDD).

Benefit Amount and Duration

In 2026, California SDI pays up to $1,765 per week. The actual amount you get is based on your wages during a base period. Most workers receive roughly 60% to 70% of their wages, depending on their income level. Lower-wage workers actually get a higher percentage replacement rate under California's formula.

You can receive SDI benefits for up to 52 weeks. That's twice as long as most other state programs, which max out at 26 weeks.

Who's Eligible

California SDI covers most W-2 employees in the state, about 18 million workers total. To qualify, you need to have earned at least $300 in wages during your base period, be unable to do your regular work for at least 8 consecutive days, be under the care of a licensed physician or accredited religious practitioner, and have lost wages because of your disability.

Self-employed workers and independent contractors aren't covered automatically, but California does offer an elective coverage program that allows them to opt in.

How It's Funded

California SDI is 100% employee-funded. You pay into it through payroll deductions. In 2026, the SDI contribution rate is 1.1% of wages, with no cap on taxable wages. Your employer doesn't contribute to the SDI fund directly.

How to Apply

You apply through the EDD online portal at edd.ca.gov. You can file your claim starting on day 9 of your disability (there's a 7-day waiting period before benefits begin, so day 9 is when you become eligible). Your doctor needs to certify your disability either through the online system or by submitting a paper form.

After you submit, EDD typically processes claims within 14 days. Benefits are paid via debit card or direct deposit.

For more details about disability benefits specifically in California, see our California disability benefits page.

New Jersey Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI)

New Jersey has had a TDI program since 1948, making it one of the oldest state disability programs in the country. It's run directly by the state through the NJ Division of Temporary Disability and Family Leave Insurance.

Benefit Amount and Duration

New Jersey pays up to $1,119 per week in temporary disability benefits in 2026. Like most states, the exact amount is based on your wages. Benefits replace about 85% of your average weekly wages, up to the maximum.

You can receive TDI for up to 26 weeks per disability period.

Who's Eligible

Most workers covered by the NJ TDI program are W-2 employees who have earned wages subject to NJ TDI payroll tax. To be eligible for benefits, you need to have earned at least $283 per week during 20 weeks in the base year, or have earned at least $14,200 total during the base year. You also need to be unable to work because of your disability.

There's a one-week waiting period before benefits kick in. You won't get paid for that first week unless you're hospitalized.

How It's Funded

Both employees and employers contribute to New Jersey TDI. Employee contribution rates and employer rates are set annually by the state. The employer contribution is mandatory, which is different from states like California and Rhode Island where only employees pay.

How to Apply

You can apply online through the NJ Division of Temporary Disability and Family Leave Insurance website at myleavebenefits.nj.gov. You'll need to complete the employee section and have your doctor complete the medical certification section. The state processes most claims within three weeks of receiving a complete application.

See our New Jersey disability benefits page for more state-specific information.

Rhode Island Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI)

Rhode Island's TDI program has been around since 1942, making it the oldest state temporary disability program in the U.S. It's administered by the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training (DLT).

Benefit Amount and Duration

In 2026, Rhode Island pays up to $1,103 per week in TDI benefits. Your weekly benefit is calculated based on your highest-earning quarter during your base period. Rhode Island also pays a dependent's allowance, an additional $15 per week for up to 5 dependents, which is a feature you won't find in most other state programs.

You can receive benefits for up to 30 weeks per benefit year. That's slightly more than New Jersey and Hawaii, but less than California.

Who's Eligible

To qualify for Rhode Island TDI, you need to have earned at least $14,700 in your base period, or have worked at least 15 weeks earning at least $600 per week during the base period. You need to be a Rhode Island employee subject to the state's TDI tax.

There's a one-week waiting period before benefits start.

How It's Funded

Rhode Island TDI is 100% employee-funded through payroll deductions. Your employer doesn't contribute. This is similar to California's setup.

How to Apply

You apply directly through the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training online at dlt.ri.gov. You'll need to provide your work history, wage information, and medical certification from your doctor. Rhode Island also accepts applications by mail or in person at a DLT office.

More details are available on our Rhode Island disability benefits page.

Hawaii Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI)

Hawaii's TDI program works differently from the other state programs. Rather than running a state-administered fund, Hawaii requires employers to provide TDI coverage to their employees through either a private insurance carrier or a self-insured plan. The state sets the minimum benefit standards, but the actual coverage is delivered through private insurers.

Benefit Amount and Duration

Hawaii's TDI pays up to $871 per week in 2026. The benefit is calculated as 58% of your average weekly wages, up to the maximum. That's the required minimum, and your employer's plan may offer more generous terms.

Benefits can last up to 26 weeks per disability period.

Who's Eligible

Hawaii TDI has some eligibility requirements that are more specific than other states. You need to have been employed by the same employer for at least 14 consecutive weeks and be working at least 20 hours per week. If you're a part-time worker putting in less than 20 hours, or if you're still new to your job, you may not qualify yet.

There's also a one-week waiting period, and you need to be under the care of a doctor during your disability.

How It's Funded

Both employees and employers split the cost of Hawaii TDI. Employees can be required to contribute up to 0.5% of their wages per week, up to a certain maximum. The employer covers the rest. Because coverage is through private insurers, the exact premium split can vary by plan.

How to Apply

You apply for Hawaii TDI through your employer's insurance carrier, not through a state agency. Talk to your HR department to find out which insurer handles your coverage. They'll give you the claims forms and tell you how to submit your doctor's certification. Every employer's process may be slightly different depending on their carrier.

Find more on our Hawaii disability benefits page.

New York Disability Benefits Law (DBL)

New York's temporary disability program is called the Disability Benefits Law, or DBL. It's the oldest of all the state programs, dating back to 1949. But it also pays the lowest benefit of any mandatory state program, and by a significant margin.

Benefit Amount and Duration

New York DBL pays a maximum of just $170 per week in 2026. That's the statutory minimum that's been in place for decades without keeping pace with wages or inflation. The benefit replaces 50% of your average weekly wages, but because of the $170 weekly cap, most workers won't receive anything close to 50% of what they were earning.

Benefits last up to 26 weeks per disability period, which is the same duration as New Jersey and Hawaii.

Who's Eligible

Most private-sector employees in New York are covered by DBL. You need to have been employed for at least 4 consecutive weeks to be eligible. There's a one-week waiting period before benefits start.

New York also has a separate, more generous Paid Family Leave (PFL) program, but that's specifically for family care situations like bonding with a new child or caring for a sick family member. DBL is for your own non-work illness or injury.

How It's Funded

Like Hawaii, New York DBL is delivered through private insurance carriers that employers are required to carry. Employees can contribute up to 60 cents per week toward the premium. The employer covers most of the cost.

How to Apply

You apply through your employer's DBL insurance carrier. Ask your HR department for the claims forms and your carrier's contact information. Your doctor needs to complete a medical certification. The whole process goes through the private insurer, not a state agency.

See our New York disability benefits page for the full picture of benefits available in the state.

Puerto Rico (SINOT)

Puerto Rico has a mandatory temporary disability program called SINOT, which stands for Sistema de Seguro No Ocupacional de Incapacidad Temporal (Non-Occupational Temporary Disability Insurance). It's administered by the Puerto Rico Department of Labor and Human Resources.

SINOT pays a maximum benefit of about $113 per week and covers up to 26 weeks per disability period. Like the mainland state programs, it covers non-work-related disabilities and requires a doctor's certification.

SINOT is funded through contributions from both employers and employees. The benefit amount reflects the lower average wage levels in Puerto Rico compared to U.S. states, but it still provides critical income protection for workers on the island.

Side-by-Side Comparison of All Programs

Here's how all five state programs and Puerto Rico stack up against each other:

A few things jump out when you look at this table. California's benefit is more than 10 times higher than New York's, yet both are mandatory programs. And California gives you twice as long to collect. If you're in New York and your employer doesn't offer supplemental disability coverage, you're getting very thin protection.

What to Do If Your State Doesn't Have TDI

If you live anywhere other than California, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Hawaii, or New York (and you're not in Puerto Rico), there's no mandatory state program waiting for you. That means if you get hurt or sick and can't work, your income stops unless you've set something up in advance.

Here are your real options:

1. Check Your Employer's Benefits

Even without a state mandate, many employers offer short-term disability coverage as part of their benefits package. Check your employee benefits handbook or ask HR. Employer-provided short-term disability is often free or low-cost, and if you're in a job with this benefit, you're already covered.

Some employers also offer voluntary short-term disability insurance that you can buy through payroll deductions. These policies are usually cheaper than individual policies you'd buy on your own because of group pricing.

2. Buy a Private Short-Term Disability Policy

You can buy private short-term disability insurance on your own through an insurance broker or directly from insurers. These policies typically replace about 60% of your income and pay for 3 to 6 months.

The catch is that you usually have to buy these policies before you need them. Once you're sick or injured, it's too late. Most insurers won't cover pre-existing conditions, at least not right away. If you don't have coverage now, this is worth looking into before something happens.

3. Use Your Savings and Sick Leave

Many financial advisors recommend having 3 to 6 months of expenses saved as an emergency fund for exactly this kind of situation. If you've got that cushion, a short-term illness may be manageable without insurance. But most people don't have that much saved, which is why disability insurance matters.

Also check how much paid sick leave your employer offers. Some employers have fairly generous sick leave policies that can cover shorter illnesses without you needing disability insurance at all.

4. Look Into State-Specific Programs

Some states have limited programs that might help in specific circumstances. For example, some states have programs specifically for pregnancy or childbirth-related disability. Others have programs tied to workers' compensation that might apply in some situations. It's worth checking your state's labor department website for any available programs.

FMLA: Unpaid Job Protection

When people ask about temporary disability, FMLA often comes up. It's worth understanding what FMLA actually does and doesn't do, because it's commonly misunderstood.

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) gives eligible employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave per year for serious health conditions, childbirth, adoption, or caring for a family member with a serious health condition. The key word there is unpaid. FMLA doesn't pay you anything. It just protects your job while you're gone.

FMLA only applies to employers with 50 or more employees. If you work for a smaller company, FMLA may not apply to you. You also need to have worked for your employer for at least 12 months and have logged at least 1,250 hours in the past year.

So here's how FMLA and TDI can work together: if you live in a state with a TDI program, you might be able to use FMLA leave at the same time as your state TDI benefits. The TDI pays you income, and FMLA holds your job. They can run concurrently. If you're in a state without TDI, FMLA still protects your job but gives you zero income during that time.

Private Short-Term Disability Insurance

Private short-term disability (STD) insurance is coverage you can buy through your employer or on your own that replaces a portion of your income if you can't work due to illness or injury.

A typical private STD policy replaces about 60% of your salary for a period of 3 to 6 months. Some policies go up to 12 months, but those are less common. You'll usually have a waiting period (often called an elimination period) of 7 to 14 days before benefits start.

Where to Get It

The easiest place to get short-term disability coverage is through your employer's benefits package. Many employers offer it as a free or low-cost perk, and the premiums come out of your paycheck pre-tax. If your employer offers this, you should probably take it.

If your employer doesn't offer it, you can buy individual short-term disability policies through insurance agents, brokers, or directly from insurers like Aflac, Guardian, or Principal. Individual policies are more expensive than group plans, but they're portable, meaning you take them with you if you change jobs.

What to Look For in a Policy

• Benefit amount: How much of your salary does it replace? 60% is typical.
• Benefit period: How long will it pay? 3 months, 6 months, 12 months?
• Elimination period: How many days do you have to wait before benefits start?
• Own-occupation vs. any-occupation: "Own-occupation" policies pay if you can't do your specific job. "Any-occupation" policies only pay if you can't do any job at all. Own-occupation is better coverage.
• Pre-existing conditions: Most policies have waiting periods before they'll cover conditions you had before getting the policy.

If you're in a state without mandatory TDI, private short-term disability insurance is the closest thing to filling that gap. You'll pay for it, but the cost is usually reasonable compared to the protection it provides.

Workers' Comp Is a Different Thing

It's worth being direct about this because it trips people up. Workers' compensation is not temporary disability insurance, even though both involve getting paid when you can't work.

Workers' comp covers injuries and illnesses that happen at work or because of your work. If you slip on a wet floor at your job, get repetitive stress injuries from your work duties, or develop a respiratory condition from workplace chemicals, workers' comp is the right program.

TDI covers non-work-related conditions. If you get appendicitis, need knee surgery, or have a car accident on your personal time, that's a TDI situation (assuming you're in a state with TDI).

Most states have mandatory workers' compensation programs, so you're covered if you get hurt on the job regardless of what state you live in. TDI is the program that's only available in a handful of states.

And if you're injured at work and your employer is fighting your workers' comp claim, that's a whole separate issue that usually involves an attorney and a different process entirely.

When Temporary Disability Becomes Long-Term

Sometimes what starts as a short-term disability turns into something that lasts much longer than expected. When that happens, you need to understand the transition from state TDI to federal SSDI.

State TDI programs are time-limited. Once you've exhausted your maximum benefit weeks, whether that's 26 weeks in New Jersey or 52 weeks in California, the state program ends. If you still can't work, you need another option.

That's where Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) comes in. SSDI is the federal program for long-term disability. To qualify, your condition needs to meet the SSA's definition of disability, meaning it prevents you from doing substantial work and has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months.

Don't Wait to Apply for SSDI

The most important thing to understand about the TDI-to-SSDI transition is timing. SSDI processing typically takes 6 to 8 months, sometimes longer. If you wait until your state TDI runs out to apply for SSDI, you could face months without any income at all while your SSDI application is pending.

If your condition is serious and you think there's a real chance it'll last 12 months or more, start the SSDI application process as early as possible. You can collect TDI while your SSDI application is pending. You don't have to wait for one to end before starting the other.

Read our full guide on how to apply for SSDI to understand what the federal process looks like. You can also use our SSDI benefit calculator to get an estimate of what you might receive.

What About SSI?

If you don't have enough work history to qualify for SSDI, you might qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) instead. SSI is a needs-based program that doesn't require work history, but it has strict income and asset limits. Read our guide to SSI benefits to see if that might be an option for you.

How to Apply for Temporary Disability Benefits

The exact application process varies by state, but the general steps are similar. Here's what to expect:

• Confirm you're in a covered state

  Only California, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Hawaii, New York, and Puerto Rico have mandatory programs. If you're somewhere else, skip to the private options section above.

• Get your doctor's certification ready

  Every program requires medical documentation. Contact your doctor as soon as you know you'll be missing work. Most programs have a specific form your doctor needs to fill out. Don't assume a doctor's note is enough.

• Notify your employer

  Tell your employer you're filing a TDI claim. In Hawaii and New York, your employer needs to direct you to their insurance carrier. In California, New Jersey, and Rhode Island, you apply directly to the state, but your employer may still need to be involved for wage verification.

• Submit your application to the right place

  California, New Jersey, and Rhode Island: apply online through their state portals. Hawaii and New York: apply through your employer's private insurance carrier. Puerto Rico: apply through the PR Department of Labor.

• Watch your mail and respond to follow-up requests

  The state or insurer may need more information from you or your doctor. Respond quickly because delays on your end slow everything down. Most programs take 2 to 4 weeks to process complete applications.

• Get recertified as needed

  Most programs require periodic medical recertification to continue your benefits. Stay in touch with your doctor and make sure they submit the required forms on time so your payments don't stop unexpectedly.

If you're denied, you have the right to appeal in every state. Don't just accept a denial without reviewing your options. Common reasons for denial include incomplete medical documentation or not meeting the wage eligibility requirements. Both of those are potentially fixable on appeal.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How many states have temporary disability insurance programs? +

  Only five states have mandatory state temporary disability insurance (TDI) programs: California, Hawaii, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island. Puerto Rico also has a mandatory program. Every other state leaves it up to individual employers or employees to get private short-term disability coverage.

• What's the difference between temporary disability and SSDI? +

  State temporary disability programs are short-term programs, typically covering 26 to 52 weeks of benefits while you recover from an illness or injury. SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) is a federal long-term program for people whose disability is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. TDI and SSDI are entirely separate programs with different eligibility rules, benefit amounts, and application processes.

• Which state pays the highest temporary disability benefits? +

  California has the highest temporary disability benefit in the country at up to $1,765 per week in 2026. California's SDI program also has the longest benefit duration at up to 52 weeks. New Jersey comes in second at up to $1,119 per week, followed closely by Rhode Island at up to $1,103 per week.

• What can I do if my state doesn't have a TDI program? +

  If you live in a state without a mandatory TDI program, your main options are: buying private short-term disability insurance (ideally before you need it), using FMLA for up to 12 weeks of unpaid job-protected leave, checking if your employer offers a voluntary short-term disability plan, and applying for SSDI if your condition is expected to last 12 or more months.

• Is temporary disability insurance the same as workers' compensation? +

  No. Workers' compensation covers injuries and illnesses that happen on the job or because of your job. Temporary disability insurance covers non-work-related illnesses and injuries. If you get hurt at work, you'd file a workers' comp claim, not a TDI claim. The two programs don't overlap.

• Do I have to pay taxes on temporary disability benefits? +

  It depends on how the program is funded. In states where your employer pays all the premiums, like New York, the benefits are generally taxable income. In states where employees pay the premiums themselves, like Rhode Island, benefits may not be taxable. New Jersey splits it depending on contribution ratios. Check with a tax professional for advice specific to your situation.

• Can I collect TDI and SSDI at the same time? +

  Yes, it's possible to have an SSDI application pending while you're collecting state TDI benefits. If you get approved for SSDI while also collecting TDI, you may have to repay a portion of the state benefits, depending on your state's rules. Because SSDI takes many months to process, it's smart to file your SSDI application early if you think your condition might last a year or more.