What New Jersey Calls Permanent Disability and Where to explore
New Jersey does not have a separate "permanent disability" program of its own. What most people mean by permanent disability in New Jersey is Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), a federal program run by the Social Security Administration. You explore through Social Security, not through the state, even though you live in New Jersey.
New Jersey does run a state program called Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI), but it covers short-term disabilities — typically up to 26 weeks. If your condition is permanent and you cannot work, SSDI is the program you need.
There is also Supplemental Security Income (SSI), another federal program for people with disabilities who have very low income and few assets. Some people receive both SSDI and SSI at the same time. The process process for both starts the same way.
Key Takeaways
- You explore for federal disability benefits (SSDI or SSI) through the Social Security Administration, either online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office in New Jersey.
- You will need medical records showing your condition, work history for the past 15 years, and proof of age and citizenship or legal residency.
- The Social Security Administration takes three to six months to make a decision on your initial process, and most initial applications are denied.
- If denied, you have the right to appeal, and many people who are denied initially win on appeal or at the hearing stage with a lawyer's help.
- While your process is pending, you can work part-time and earn up to a certain amount per month without losing your benefits.
How to Start Your process
You have three ways to begin: online, by phone, or in person. Online is usually fastest if your situation is straightforward. Go to ssa.gov/applyfordisability and create a my Social Security account if you do not already have one. The online form takes 15 to 20 minutes and you can save your progress and come back to it.
If you prefer to talk to someone, call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778 for deaf or hard of hearing). Wait times are longest on Mondays and Tuesdays. You can also visit a Social Security office in person. New Jersey has offices in most counties — search for yours at ssa.gov/locator.
When you explore, you will be asked whether you are explore for SSDI, SSI, or both. If you have worked and paid Social Security taxes for at least five of the last ten years, you likely may have access to for SSDI. If your income and assets are very low (under $2,000 for an individual, $3,000 for a couple), you may also may have access to for SSI. The Social Security Administration will help you figure out which one you are may be able to access for.
Documents You Need Before You explore
Gather these before you start your process. You do not have to submit everything at once, but having them ready speeds things up.
| Category | What You Need |
|---|---|
| Identity and citizenship | Birth certificate, passport, or state ID; proof of citizenship or legal residency (green card, visa, or naturalization papers) |
| Medical records | Doctor's names and addresses; dates of treatment; hospital or clinic records; test results; medication lists; mental health records if applicable |
| Work history | List of jobs for the past 15 years with employer names, dates, and job duties; W-2 forms or tax returns if self-employed |
| Financial (for SSI only) | Bank account statements; proof of any income; list of property or assets you own |
Medical records are the most important. The Social Security Administration will request them from your doctors, but if you already have copies, sending them in speeds up the review. You do not need to wait for perfect records — send what you have and the agency will follow up with your providers.
What Happens After You Submit Your process
After you submit, the Social Security Administration sends your case to Disability information Services (DDS), which is a state agency that works for Social Security. In New Jersey, DDS is part of the state's Division of Disability Services. They review your medical records and work history to decide whether your condition meets Social Security's definition of disability.
This review takes three to six months on average. You will receive a letter telling you the decision. If approved, you will receive a notice of award showing your monthly benefit amount and your start date. If denied, you will receive a notice of denial explaining why.
While you wait, you can work part-time. If you earn under $1,550 per month (as of 2024, this amount changes yearly), it does not count against you. If you earn more, Social Security may still approve you but reduce your benefit, or may decide you are not disabled. Report any work to Social Security — do not hide it.
What to Do If Your process Is Denied
Most initial applications are denied. This does not mean you are ineligible — it often means your medical records were incomplete or your condition was not fully explained. You have the right to appeal.
You have 60 days from the date on the denial letter to file an appeal. There are four levels of appeal: reconsideration, hearing before an administrative law judge, Appeals Council review, and federal court. Most people who win do so at the hearing stage, which is why many hire a disability lawyer.
For reconsideration, you submit new medical evidence and ask Social Security to look at your case again. This takes another two to three months. If reconsideration is also denied, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge. This is where most cases are won. The hearing usually happens four to six months after you request it, and you can have a lawyer represent you.
Working With a Disability Lawyer in New Jersey
You do not need a lawyer to explore, but many people find one helpful, especially if your first process is denied. Disability lawyers in New Jersey work on contingency, meaning they take a percentage of your back pay (the money owed from when your disability began) if you win. They do not charge you upfront.
Social Security limits what a lawyer can charge: 25 percent of your back pay or $7,200, whichever is less. Before you hire a lawyer, check that they are authorized to practice before Social Security. You can search the Social Security Office of Hearings Operations website or ask the lawyer directly.
Many disability lawyers in New Jersey focus on cases that have already been denied, because those are the cases most likely to go to a hearing. If your initial process was denied and you are thinking about appealing, talking to a lawyer is worth your time — many offer free consultations.
Understanding Your Benefit Amount
Your SSDI benefit is based on your work history and earnings record. The Social Security Administration calculates an average of your highest-earning years and pays you a percentage of that amount. In 2024, the average SSDI benefit is around $1,550 per month, but yours could be higher or lower depending on your work history.
If you also may have access to for SSI because your income is very low, you may receive both SSDI and SSI. SSI provides a minimum monthly payment (in 2024, $943 for an individual in New Jersey, though this varies by living situation). The exact amount depends on your other income and resources.
Your benefit starts the month after you are approved, or the month your disability began, whichever is later. There is usually a five-month waiting period from the date your disability began before you receive your first payment. During that waiting period, you receive no benefits, but once it ends, you receive back pay for all the months you were waiting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work while my process is pending?
Yes. You can earn up to $1,550 per month (2024 amount) without it affecting your process. If you earn more, report it to Social Security — they may still approve you but at a reduced benefit amount. Do not hide work income; Social Security will find out through tax records.
How long does it take to hear back about my process?
Initial decisions usually take three to six months. If you are denied and appeal for reconsideration, add another two to three months. If you request a hearing, add four to six more months. The whole process from process to hearing decision can take 12 to 18 months.
What if I have a condition that is not on Social Security's list of disabilities?
Social Security has a list of conditions that automatically may have access to, but you do not have to be on it. You can still win by showing that your condition, combined with your age and work history, prevents you from working. This is harder to prove and is why many people hire lawyers for these cases.
Do I need to reapply every year?
No. Once you are approved for SSDI, your benefits continue as long as your condition remains disabling. Social Security may review your case periodically, but you do not have to reapply annually. If your condition improves significantly, Social Security may stop your benefits, but they will notify you first.
What is the difference between SSDI and SSI?
SSDI is based on your work history — you earned it through payroll taxes. SSI is based on financial need and is available to people with very low income and few assets, regardless of work history. You can receive both at the same time if you meet the requirements for each.