Notwithstanding the impact of the current pandemic on the economy and, in particular, on businesses in New York and New Jersey, previously scheduled annual wage and benefit increases march on.
In the past week, minimum wage rates rose in both New York and New Jersey. In addition, New Jersey employees will see increased maximum benefit levels for unemployment insurance, temporary disability and family leave insurance, and workers’ compensation benefits. For your ease of reference, we set forth the changes below.
NEW MINIMUM WAGE RATES
New York and New Jersey new minimum wage rates for 2021 are set forth below. Please note that other rates may apply in certain industries or positions, such as for farm workers, fast food employees or tipped employees, and employers are cautioned to check carefully for any exceptions:
New York (as of December 31, 2020)
- New York City: $15/hour
- Long Island and Westchester: $14/hour
- Rest of New York State: $12.50/hour
New Jersey (as of January 1, 2021)
- Overall: $12/hour
- Small businesses (less than 5 employees) and seasonal workers: $11.10/hour
INCREASED MAXIMUM BENEFIT LEVELS
New Jersey maximum weekly benefits
Each year, New Jersey’s Department of Labor and Workforce Development recalculates maximum benefits for unemployment insurance, temporary disability and family leave insurance and workers' compensation based on average weekly wages. The new 2021 rates (listed below) reflect a 2.5 percent increase:
- Unemployment insurance: $731/week
- Temporary disability and family leave insurance: $903/week
- Workers’ compensation: $969/week
In addition, the threshold for qualifying for benefits also has increased. To qualify for New Jersey unemployment, disability or family leave insurance, employees must have earned $220 per week for 20 weeks or at least $11,000 (up from $200 per week or $10,000 in 2020).
New York maximum weekly benefits
Although New York’s maximum weekly benefits are not increasing as of January 1, 2021, eligible employees in New York saw an increase in such benefits in 2020 as follows:
- As of September 1, 2020, the paid family leave maximum benefit is $971.61/week
- As of July 1, 2020, the workers’ compensation maximum benefit is $966.78/week
New York’s unemployment insurance maximum benefit remains at $504/week and the temporary disability maximum benefit has not increased from $170/week since 1989.
