Birthing Parent - Filing for Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI)
Applies to birthing parents who need (TDI) for pregnancy- related medical care or recovering following childbirth.
Step 1: Create Your New Jersey State Portal Account
Go to the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development website.
Click “Create Account.”
Set up your login credentials.
Step 2: Submit a Temporary Disability Insurance Claim (DS-1 Form)
Log in to your account.
Click “Submit Application.”
Select “Disability Insurance.”
Complete the DS-1 form online.
You will be asked to provide information regarding:
Claimant details
Medical information
Employment information
Once complete, click Submit to officially file your claim.
After submitting your information in the NJ state portal, please return to your Cocoon task list to mark the submission as complete so your employer is notified.
🎬This step-by-step video guides you through the process of applying for Temporary Disability Insurance in NJ.
Step 3: Notify your medical provider
Your provider must certify the claim before New Jersey can process it. Please provide them with:
Your Claim ID / Form ID
Your provider will login to the NJ site and certify your claim. They have 14 days from your submission to complete the certification.
⚠️ Important: Your claim will not proceed until your medical provider completes the certification. Follow up with your provider to confirm completion of certification.
Step 4: Processing Your Claim
After your provider certifies your claim, it will be reviewed and processed:
Processing typically takes 5–6 weeks, but timing can vary.
Wait for a confirmation email indicating your claim has been approved.
Once approved, payments will be issued.
Step 5: Receiving Payments
Payments are usually issued by check
Direct deposit optional
You must contact the state
Verifying Payments: As you begin to receive benefits, you can upload check stubs to Cocoon’s benefit verification tool for us to audit
Toward the end of your disability period: The state will mail you a P-30 form to confirm your delivery date and method(vaginal, cesarean) . Please complete the form and return it promptly.
After that, New Jersey will send you a second form called the FL-2. You’ll need to complete and return this form to the state to initiate your bonding claim.
Birthing- Transitional Bonding Leave Options in New Jersey (FLI)
New Jersey offers two options for taking bonding leave:
Continuous leave: up to 12 consecutive weeks of paid bonding time.
Intermittent leave: up to 8 weeks of benefits taken in separate increments (rather than all at once).
The option you choose will determine how many weeks of benefits you can receive.
After submitting your information in the NJ state portal, please return to your Cocoon task list to mark the submission as complete so your employer is notified.
Option 1: Taking Continuous Bonding Leave (Up to 12 Weeks)
Continuous bonding leave is the right option if you plan to:
Begin bonding immediately after your disability period ends, and
Not return to work at anytime up to 12 weeks
🎬 This step-by-step video guides you through the process of applying for NJ Family Leave Insurance Benefits.
What You’ll Need to Do
Complete the FL-2 form mailed to you by the state.
Locate the Claim ID listed on your FL-2 form.
Enter that Claim ID into the New Jersey state portal.
Complete and submit your bonding application online.
To receive the full 12 weeks of Family Leave Insurance (FLI) benefits, your leave must be taken as one uninterrupted 12-week period. Be sure the leave dates in Cocoon match the 12 weeks you are requesting from the state to avoid delays.
Option 2: Taking Intermittent Bonding Leave (Up to 8 Weeks)
Intermittent bonding leave is the right option if you plan to:
Take bonding leave in separate segments rather than all 12 weeks at once
Return to work between bonding periods
If you choose intermittent leave, you may receive up to 8 weeks of FLI benefits instead of 12.
Because your leave will be taken in multiple segments, the state will first send you an FL-2 form to begin your bonding claim. After your initial segment is paid, you will receive FL-3 forms to request payment for your remaining intermittent leave dates.
If you return to work before starting bonding leave at all, please see the section below for next steps.
🎬 This step-by-step video guides you through the process of applying for NJ Family Leave Insurance Benefits.
What You’ll Need to Do
Complete the FL-2 form mailed to you by the state.
Locate the Claim ID listed on your FL-2 form.
Enter that Claim ID into the New Jersey state portal.
Complete and submit your first bonding application online.
For each additional bonding period:
Locate the Form ID on your FL-3 form.
Enter the Form ID into the New Jersey state portal.
Submit your application for your next bonding segment.
You will continue receiving FL-3 forms for each additional segment until you have used your full 8 weeks of intermittent bonding benefits.
If You Return to Work Before Starting Bonding
If you finish your disability period, return to work, and later decide to take bonding leave, do not use the FL-2 form.
Instead:
File a new bonding claim using the FL-1 form on the first day your bonding leave begins.
Filing on the first day ensures New Jersey accurately records your last day worked.
This approach keeps your bonding claim aligned with your actual leave dates and avoids processing delays.
🎬 This step-by-step video guides you through the process of applying for NJ Family Leave Insurance Benefits.
Non-Birthing Parent – Bonding Leave Only (FLI)
If you did not take disability leave before bonding, you can still begin your bonding leave as a non-birthing parent.
File a new bonding claim using the FL-1 form on the first day your leave begins.
This ensures New Jersey correctly records your last day worked and starts your benefits at the right time.
You’ll follow the same steps for intermittent or continuous leave once your claim is submitted.
After submitting your information in the NJ state portal, please return to your Cocoon task list to mark the submission as complete so your employer is notified.
Option 1: Continuous Bonding Leave (Up to 12 Weeks)
If you plan to take your bonding leave all at once:
Log into the New Jersey state portal.
Click Submit Application and select Family Leave Insurance.
Complete and submit your bonding application on the first day of your leave.
To receive the full 12 weeks of benefits, your leave must be taken as one continuous 12-week period.
Once approved:
Payments are typically issued by check.
Upload all payments to Cocoon for verification.
🎬 This step-by-step video guides you through the process of applying for NJ Family Leave Insurance Benefits.
Option 2: Intermittent Bonding Leave (Up to 8 Weeks)
If you plan to break your bonding leave into multiple segments:
File your initial bonding claim using the FL-1 form on the first day of your leave.
After your first segment is paid, New Jersey will mail you an FL-3 form.
Enter the Form ID listed on the FL-3 form into the NJ portal to apply for your next bonding segment.
You will continue receiving FL-3 forms for each additional segment until you have used your full 8 weeks of intermittent bonding benefits.
🎬 This step-by-step video guides you through the process of applying for NJ Family Leave Insurance Benefits.
FAQ:Important Forms You May Receive
Q: What forms might I receive from New Jersey?
C-10 (Claimant Information) – return within 10 days
E-10 (Employer Wage Verification) – sent to employer, return within 2 weeks
M-10 (Medical Information – TDI only) – return within 10 days
P30 (Request to Claimant for Continued Claim Information) -return if extending or ending a claim.
FL-3 (Request to Claimant for continued benefits)- if you did not claim maximum benefits
Q: What happens if I don’t return a form on time?
The claim may be automatically denied. It will remain denied until the form is received. Re-review can take 9-10 weeks, and online status will show “Denied” until a new decision is made.
Q: How can I avoid delays?
Respond promptly to all forms as soon as you receive them.
Be sure to file your claims on time
Q: What happens if my claim is denied?
Depending on the reason for denial, you may be able to appeal the decision. Please contact support@cocoon.com and send us your denial notice, we will walk you through the next steps for filing the appeal process.
Q: Who all can certify my medical forms?
Chiropractor
Dentist
Osteopath
Podiatrist
Medical Doctor
Optometrist
Psychologist
Advanced Practice Nurse
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
Certified Nurse Practitioner
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Certified Nurse Midwife
Acceptable when under the supervision of a licensed physician:
Physician Assistant
Certified Professional Midwife
For Temporary Disability Insurance, medical information cannot be submitted by a:
Professional counselor
Social worker (LCSW)
Faith healer
Q: Can I submit my claim early?
If planning ahead, you may start your online application up to 60 days in advance. To avoid deletion of your draft application: (1) within 14 days of starting the application, provide all information and confirm your claim; then (2) within 14 days after the start of your leave, certify and file your claim.
Q: What is the deadline to submit claims?
If applying after your leave begins, you have 30 days' from your first day of leave to file your application.