Where to File Your Temporary Disability Form Online

New Jersey's Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) program accepts claims through the state's online portal, myCWA, which is run by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. You can file a claim at nj.gov/labor/mycwa without visiting an office or mailing paper forms. The online system lets you upload medical documentation, track your claim status in real time, and receive updates by email.

Before you start, gather your Social Security number, driver's license or state ID, and your employer's name and address. If you are filing because of a medical condition, injury, or pregnancy, have your doctor's contact information ready — the system will ask you to name the healthcare provider who is treating you. If you are filing for a family care leave claim (caring for a family member), you will need similar information about the person you are caring for.

The online form itself takes 15 to 20 minutes to complete if you have all documents at hand. The state does not charge a fee to file, and there is no important date to explore — you can file at any point during your disability, though claims are paid from the date you stop working, not from the date you file.

Key Takeaways

  • File online through myCWA at nj.gov/labor/mycwa using your Social Security number and state ID.
  • You will need your employer's name and address, and your doctor's contact information if you are claiming a medical condition or pregnancy.
  • The state pays benefits from the date you stopped working, not from the date you file, so filing sooner rather than later protects your income from that start date.
  • After you file, the state contacts your employer and doctor directly to verify your claim — you do not need to send those documents yourself.
  • Most claims are approved or denied within two to three weeks, and you can check your status in myCWA at any time.

What Information the Online Form Requires

The myCWA form asks for your personal details first: full name, date of birth, Social Security number, and current address. You will then enter your employment history for the past year, including your employer's name, address, and phone number, and the dates you worked there. If you have had multiple jobs in the past year, list each one.

Next, you describe the reason for your claim. The form offers categories: pregnancy and childbirth, non-work-related illness or injury, family care leave (to care for a family member with a serious health condition), or military caregiver leave. Select the one that matches your situation. If you choose a medical reason, the form asks for your healthcare provider's name, address, and phone number — the state will contact them directly to request medical records and a statement about when you became unable to work.

You will also enter the date your disability began (the date you stopped working) and whether you expect to return to work. The form asks about any other income you may receive during your disability, such as workers' compensation, unemployment insurance, or employer-paid sick leave. Be honest about this — TDI benefits are reduced if you receive certain other payments, and the state verifies this information with your employer.

How to Upload Medical Documentation

The online form includes a section to upload files. You can attach a doctor's note, medical records, or a hospital discharge summary directly in myCWA. The state accepts PDF, JPG, and PNG files. If your doctor has already sent records to the state, you do not need to upload them again — the state will retrieve them when it contacts your provider.

However, uploading a copy of your own medical records can speed up the process. If you have a recent note from your doctor stating the date your disability began and an expected return-to-work date, upload that. The state does not require a specific form; any document from your healthcare provider that shows you are unable to work will do.

If you do not have digital copies, most doctor's offices can email or fax them to you within one or two business days. Ask your provider to send them before you file your claim, so you can upload them when ready. This is not required — the state will contact your doctor anyway — but it can reduce the time between filing and approval.

What Happens After You File Online

Once you submit your claim in myCWA, you receive a confirmation number and a summary of what you entered. The state then sends a notice to your employer asking them to verify your employment dates, wages, and whether you are still employed. Your employer has about 10 days to respond. At the same time, the state contacts your healthcare provider to request medical records and confirmation that you are unable to work.

You can log back into myCWA at any time to see your claim status. The system shows whether the state is waiting for information from your employer or doctor, whether your claim has been approved, or whether the state needs more information from you. If the state needs something from you — for example, clarification about your employment or additional medical information — it will send you an email and update your myCWA dashboard.

Most claims are approved or denied within two to three weeks. If approved, the state deposits your benefit payment into your bank account every two weeks. The amount depends on your average weekly wage in the year before your disability; the state calculates this from your employer's wage records. Benefits replace about two-thirds of your regular pay, up to a maximum amount that changes each year.

Logging In and Troubleshooting Access Issues

To log into myCWA, go to nj.gov/labor/mycwa and select "Sign In." If this is your first time, you will create a username and password. The state recommends using an email address you check regularly, because it will send claim updates there. Write down your username and password in a safe place — you will need them to check your claim status later.

If you forget your password, select "Forgot Password" on the login page and follow the prompts. The state will send a reset link to your email. If you do not receive the email within a few minutes, check your spam folder. If you still cannot access your account, call the New Jersey Department of Labor's TDI hotline at 609-292-7060. The line is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern time. Wait times are often long; calling early in the morning or late in the afternoon may be faster.

If you have trouble uploading files, make sure your file is in PDF, JPG, or PNG format and is smaller than 10 megabytes. If the upload still fails, you can file your claim without uploading documents — the state will contact your doctor directly. You can also call the TDI hotline to ask whether you can email documents to the state instead.

When to File and What to Expect for Payment Timing

File your claim as soon as you know you will be unable to work. TDI benefits are paid from the date you stopped working, not from the date you file. If you wait two weeks to file, you lose two weeks of benefits. There is no penalty for filing early — if your doctor later says you can return to work sooner than expected, the state stops paying and you can go back to your job without owing anything back.

The state does not pay benefits for the first seven days of your disability — this is called the waiting period. If your disability lasts longer than seven days, you are paid for all days after that. So if you are disabled for 14 days total, you receive payment for 7 days (days 8 through 14). If your disability lasts longer, the waiting period applies only once per claim year.

After your claim is approved, the state deposits your first payment within one to two weeks. Payments arrive every two weeks on the same day. If you are approved on a Wednesday, for example, your first payment might arrive the following Monday or Tuesday. You can set up direct deposit in myCWA to receive payments faster than by check.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file a claim if I am still working but expect to go on disability soon?

No. You must file after you stop working due to your disability. The state pays benefits from the date you became unable to work, so file as soon as that date arrives. Filing early does not help — the state will deny a claim filed before your disability begins.

What if my employer does not respond to the state's verification request?

The state will follow up with your employer. If your employer does not respond within a reasonable time, the state may approve your claim based on the information you provided and your medical records. This can take longer — sometimes four to six weeks instead of two to three — but your claim will not be denied straightforward because your employer is slow to respond.

Do I need a doctor's note in a specific format to file online?

No. Any document from your healthcare provider that states you are unable to work and gives an expected return date will do. You do not need to use a state form. If you upload a note, the state may still contact your doctor for more detailed medical records, but uploading what you have speeds up the process.

What if I do not have a bank account for direct deposit?

The state will mail you a check instead. Checks arrive about one week after your claim is approved, and then every two weeks after that. Direct deposit is faster and more reliable, so if you can open a bank account, do so before your claim is approved.

Can I file a claim for a family member or do they have to file themselves?

Each person must file their own claim in myCWA using their own Social Security number and login. You can help them gather documents and walk them through the form, but they must submit it themselves. If someone is unable to use a computer, they can call the TDI hotline to ask about paper forms or phone-based filing.