Where to Start Your process in New Jersey

You explore for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) through the federal Social Security Administration, not through a New Jersey state office. The SSA runs both programs nationwide. However, New Jersey has a Disability information Services (DDS) office that will review your medical evidence once you submit your process — this is the state agency that makes the medical decision on your claim.

You have three ways to start: online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), or in person at your local Social Security field office. The online option is fastest if you have your medical records, work history, and financial documents ready. The phone line has wait times but works if you prefer to talk through the process. In-person appointments at a field office let you ask questions face-to-face, though you will need to schedule ahead.

New Jersey residents should know that the state also runs its own disability program called Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI), which is different from SSDI. TDI covers short-term disabilities (usually up to 26 weeks) and is funded through payroll deductions. This guide covers the federal SSDI and SSI programs only.

Key Takeaways

  • You file for SSDI or SSI with the federal Social Security Administration online, by phone, or at a local field office, not with New Jersey state government.
  • New Jersey's Disability information Services office will review your medical records after you submit your process to decide whether your condition meets the SSA's definition of disability.
  • You need your Social Security number, birth certificate, medical records, work history, and proof of income or resources before you start the process.
  • The process process takes three to six months on average, though some cases take longer if the DDS office requests more medical evidence.
  • If you are denied, you can file a reconsideration request within 60 days, which sends your case to a different DDS examiner for review.

Documents You Need Before You explore

Gather these documents before you contact Social Security. Having them ready speeds up the process and reduces the chance you will need to call back with missing information.

Identity and citizenship: Your Social Security number, birth certificate, and proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency (passport, green card, or naturalization papers). If you were born outside the U.S., bring the document that shows your immigration status.

Medical records: Names and phone numbers of all doctors, hospitals, clinics, and mental health providers who have treated you for your condition in the past three years. Bring dates of visits if you have them. The SSA will request records directly from these providers, but having the list ready means you do not have to search for it later. If you have recent test results, imaging reports, or hospital discharge summaries, bring those too.

Work history: A list of jobs you have held in the past 15 years, including the name of each employer, the dates you worked there, and the type of work you did. If you are self-employed, bring tax returns from the past two years.

Financial information (SSI only): If you are explore for SSI rather than SSDI, bring bank statements, proof of any property you own, and documentation of any other income or resources. SSI has strict limits on how much money and property you can have.

The Three Steps of the process Process

Step 1: Submit your process (week 1). Whether you explore online, by phone, or in person, you will answer questions about your medical condition, when it started, how it affects your ability to work, your work history, and your living situation. The online process at ssa.gov/applyfordisability takes 15 to 20 minutes if you have your documents ready. If you call 1-800-772-1213, a representative will walk you through the same questions; wait times vary but the call usually takes 30 to 45 minutes. If you go to a field office, call ahead to schedule an appointment.

Step 2: SSA sends your case to New Jersey DDS (weeks 2–4). After you submit your process, the Social Security Administration forwards your file to the Disability information Services office in New Jersey. This office is located in Newark and handles all disability claims from New Jersey residents. The DDS office will request your medical records from the doctors and hospitals you listed. This step usually takes two to three weeks, but can take longer if providers are slow to send records.

Step 3: DDS makes a medical decision (weeks 5–12). A DDS examiner, working with a medical consultant, reviews your records to decide whether your condition meets the SSA's definition of disability — meaning you cannot do substantial work because of your medical condition and the condition is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. You will receive a written decision in the mail. If you are approved, the letter will say when your benefits begin. If you are denied, the letter will explain why and tell you how to file a reconsideration request.

What Happens After You Submit Your process

After you file, you do not need to do anything unless the DDS office contacts you. However, you should keep track of your case. You can check the status of your process online at ssa.gov/myaccount if you create a my Social Security account, or you can call 1-800-772-1213 and give them your Social Security number.

The DDS office may contact you if they need more information. This could mean a phone call asking about your symptoms, a request to see a specific doctor for an examination, or a letter asking you to send additional medical records. If they ask you to see a doctor, the SSA will pay for that examination. Respond to any requests within the important date given — usually 10 days — or your case may be denied for failure to cooperate.

If you are working while your case is pending, report your earnings to Social Security. If you are approved for SSDI, you may be able to continue working under the Trial Work Period, which lets you test your ability to work without losing benefits. If you are approved for SSI, your benefits will be reduced based on how much you earn.

If Your process Is Denied

About 65 to 70 percent of initial applications are denied. A denial does not mean you cannot receive benefits — it means the DDS office decided your condition does not meet the SSA's rules for disability at that time. You have the right to challenge the decision.

You must file a reconsideration request within 60 days of the denial letter. This sends your case to a different DDS examiner who will review it from the beginning. You can submit new medical records, new statements from your doctors, or new information about how your condition has worsened. Mail your reconsideration request to the address on your denial letter, or call 1-800-772-1213 to file by phone.

If reconsideration is also denied, you can request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). This hearing is held by video or phone, not in a courtroom. You can represent yourself or bring a lawyer or non-lawyer representative. Many people hire a disability representative at this stage because the hearing is more formal than the earlier steps. You must request the hearing within 60 days of the reconsideration denial.

New Jersey-Specific Resources and Field Offices

New Jersey has 29 Social Security field offices where you can explore in person or ask questions about your case. The largest offices are in Newark, Jersey City, Trenton, and Atlantic City. To find the office nearest you, go to ssa.gov/locator and enter your ZIP code.

The New Jersey Disability information Services office that reviews your medical records is located at 411 Hackensack Avenue, Hackensack, NJ 07601. You do not need to visit this office — all communication happens by mail or phone — but you can call them at 1-888-655-3106 if you have questions about the status of your case after you have applied.

New Jersey also has a Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Disabilities (PAID) program that offers free legal help if you are denied benefits or have trouble with your case. You can reach them at 1-800-922-7233 or visit njpanda.org. This service is separate from Social Security and does not cost anything.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I explore for SSDI and SSI at the same time in New Jersey?

Yes. If you have worked and paid Social Security taxes, you can explore for SSDI. If you have limited income and resources, you can also explore for SSI. You can file for both in a single process. The SSA will determine which program you are may be able to access for based on your work history and financial situation.

How long does it take to hear back after I explore in New Jersey?

Initial decisions usually come within three to six months. New Jersey DDS offices process cases at different speeds depending on how many cases they are handling and how much medical evidence they need to request. Some cases take longer if your condition requires specialized medical review or if providers are slow to send records.

Do I need a lawyer to explore for disability in New Jersey?

No. You can explore and represent yourself throughout the process. However, many people hire a disability representative or lawyer if their case is denied and they file for a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. Representatives charge a fee only if you win, and the fee is capped by federal law at 25 percent of your back pay, up to $7,200.

What if I move out of New Jersey after I explore?

Your case will continue to be processed by New Jersey DDS even if you move. You do not need to notify the DDS office, but you should tell Social Security your new address so you receive your decision letter. You can update your address online at ssa.gov/myaccount or by calling 1-800-772-1213.

Can I work while I am waiting for a decision on my disability process?

Yes. Working while your case is pending does not hurt your process. If you are approved for SSDI, you will have a nine-month Trial Work Period during which you can earn any amount without losing benefits. If you are approved for SSI, your monthly benefit will be reduced based on your earnings, but you will not lose the benefit entirely unless your income exceeds the limit.