New Jersey Benefits Requirements

6264196

I am told, by law in New Jersey, if an employee works 25 or more hours they are eligible for health insurance and must be offered it if a group plan is in existence.  I have been unable to find any NJ statute that verifies this fact.  Is there anyone out there familiar with New Jersey benefit eligibility requirements who could confirm or tell me where to locate?

regdunlop

i am not familiar with new jersey's requirements but found a document from the state (http://www.state.nj.us/dobi/sehguide.pdf) that you may find useful.  here's a portion of it:

If you employ at least two but not more than 50 employees, in most instances you will be considered a
"small employer" eligible for guaranteed access to small group health benefits coverage. You are also
required to have a minimum number of full-time employees participating in the plan (75 percent), and to
contribute a minimum percentage to the cost of the group plan (10 percent). Section I sets forth eligibility,
participation and contribution requirements in greater detail.

be sure to check out the frequently asked questions. i coped two of them below.

Does The Law Require That I Provide Health Benefits For My Employees?
No. However, if you provide group coverage, you must comply with the requirements of the law.

If I Offer Coverage, Must I Offer It To All Employees?
No. However, if you do not offer coverage to all employees, any distinctions in deciding which
employees will be offered coverage must be based on classes of employees, and the classes of employees
must be based on conditions pertaining to employment (e.g., job title, length of service, salary, etc.).
Other kinds of distinctions may not be legal.
In addition, you still must meet the 75 percent participation requirements based on the total number of
eligible employees (i.e., employees working more than 25 hours per week). For example, in a group of ten
employees, you would need eight or more employees covered either under your health benefits plan or
plans or their spouses’ plans (so long as their spouses’ plans are not individual plans).