Welcome to Disability Benefits Help, an organization committed to helping claimants across the United States receive approval for disability benefits.
Since applying for Social Security disability benefits can be a difficult process, a disability attorney or advocate may increase your chances of being awarded benefits by helping accurately and favorably complete the complex paperwork, ensuring that all deadlines are met, and providing you with representation at a hearing. After submitting our web form, you will receive a 100% FREE evaluation of your disability claim. Disability attorneys and advocates receive compensation if you are awarded back benefits. We have no affiliation with the Social Security Administration, the agency at which you can apply for Social Security disability at no cost.
Are you interested in learning how to apply for disability in the state of New Jersey? You might be researching disability benefits in New Jersey if you can’t work because of a physical or mental health condition.
Through the United States Social Security Administration (SSA), you may be eligible to receive benefits to help you cover the cost of basic needs. New Jersey employers may also offer temporary disability insurance. A lawyer can help you sort through your options and determine which program is right for you.
Understanding The Definition Of Disability In New Jersey
The SSA defines a disability as a condition (mental or physical) that prevents someone from engaging in substantial gainful activity (SGA). This essentially means a condition prevents them from earning a certain minimum amount of money every month.
A disability must also be medically likely to result in death or last at least 12 months for someone to qualify for disability benefits through the SSA. Be aware that the criteria may differ if you’re applying for temporary disability benefits through an employer.
What Disabling Conditions Qualify In New Jersey?
The SSA’s Blue Book lists over 200 conditions that may qualify someone for disability benefits. Check this resource to determine if there’s a listing for your condition. If you’re not sure whether your condition qualifies as a disability, consider speaking with a lawyer or SSA representative for more information.
The influence a disability has on your working ability will also determine whether you qualify for benefits. Depending on what program you apply for, you may also need to show you’ve earned sufficient work credits to qualify.
Types of Disability Benefits Available in New Jersey
As you research how to qualify for disability in New Jersey, it’s important to understand that the requirements for disability in NJ can depend on the type of disability benefits program to which you’re applying. If you apply for disability benefits through the SSA, two options are available to you:
New Jersey Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
You need to have worked in the past to qualify for SSDI. In addition, you need to have paid into the Social Security system. Whether you qualify for this form of disability benefits in New Jersey depends on whether you’ve earned sufficient work credits. Naturally, you must also have a condition that meets the SSA’s criteria for a disability.
The number of work credits someone earns depends on their annual income. The maximum number of work credits someone can earn in a single year is four. As of 2024, once you earn $6,920 in a given year, you will have earned your four work credits for that year.
You typically need to have earned a total of 40 (or more) work credits throughout the entirety of your career to qualify for SSDI. In addition, you must have earned at least 20 of those credits during the last 10 years immediately preceding when you became disabled.
That said, younger workers may not have had enough time to earn all the work credits they need to qualify for SSDI. Don’t assume you won’t meet SSDI disability requirements in New Jersey because you don’t have enough work credits.
It may be worth discussing the topic with a lawyer to find out if the SSA will make an exception due to your age. The SSA sometimes does so when younger applicants who haven’t earned sufficient work credits apply for SSDI benefits.
New Jersey Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
SSI distinguishes itself from SSDI in several ways. Unlike SSDI, SSI is purely needs-based. This means you may qualify for SSI even if you haven’t worked in the past or haven’t accrued enough work credits.
The requirements to receive SSI are as follows:
- You have little or no income and resources, and
- You have a disability per the SSA’s definition, or you’re over the age of 65
Be sure to document how you spend any funds you receive in the form of SSI payments. It’s particularly wise to document when you spend SSI funds on a child’s expenses.
State of New Jersey Disability Programs
The New Jersey Division of Labor and Workforce Development also offers disability benefits in New Jersey through its Division of Temporary Disability and Family Leave Insurance. You may also consider this option, depending on the circumstances.
Temporary Disability Insurance in New Jersey
Like many states, New Jersey offers a form of short-term disability insurance to individuals who have to take time off from work due to disabling conditions. Technically, employers offer this insurance. Although the law requires most employers in New Jersey to offer temporary disability insurance benefits in New Jersey, there may be some who fail to meet the legal requirement. It’s thus possible your employer won’t offer this type of insurance even if the law says they have to.
Temporary disability benefits help with lost wages when a disability prevents someone from working. However, as the name implies, this form of benefits doesn’t last forever, providing coverage for a maximum of up to 26 weeks.
Find A Disability Lawyer In New Jersey
Finding a Social Security disability benefits lawyer is wise if you’re thinking about applying for benefits. From reviewing your case to helping you gather medical evidence, a disability attorney can help you in many ways right now. Get started by taking the Free Case Evaluation to speak to an independent lawyer who subscribes to the website.
How Much Disability Can You Receive in New Jersey?
How much is disability in New Jersey? Although no one can promise you will receive a specific sum, our disability calculator can help you better understand approximately how much you may be eligible to receive in monthly payments. As of 2024, the maximum monthly SSI benefit is $943 for an individual and $1,415 for couples, and the maximum monthly SSDI payment is $3,822. Consider speaking with a lawyer to learn more about how much disability pays in New Jersey.
