Atticus offers free, high-quality disability advice for Americans who can't work. Our team of Stanford and Harvard-trained lawyers has a combined 15+ years of legal experience and has helped over 50,000 Americans apply for disability benefits.
Why trust us?If you have an injury or illness that prevents you from working, you’re not alone. Nearly 200,000 New Jersey residents have received financial assistance from the Social Security Administration and the state of New Jersey.
Learn about how to apply for disability in New Jersey and how much you may receive in benefits payments.
Yes, New Jersey is one of the five states with a short-term state disability benefit program. New Jersey residents who have an injury or illness that prevents them from going to work for up to 26 weeks can apply for the New Jersey Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI).
Temporary Disability Insurance is available to most New Jersey workers since many employers must provide Temporary Disability Insurance to employees.
Many conditions are eligible for disability benefits. See what you qualify for instantly. See if you qualify.New Jersey determines your eligibility for TDI and your weekly benefit amounts by looking at how much you earned during your base year—or the first four out of five completed calendar quarters before the onset of your disability.
For TDI, you must have worked 20 weeks and earned at least $283 a week or a total of $14,200 during the base year.
New Jersey provides short-term benefits to its disabled workers for up to 26 weeks, worth 85% of their average weekly earnings and capped at $1,055 (the maximum weekly benefit rate).
To determine how much you’ll receive in weekly benefits, New Jersey reviews your reported wages for the first four of the last five completed quarters before your disability.
The state will then calculate your average weekly wage by dividing your base year earnings by the number of base weeks (any week you earned at least $283).
To successfully apply for Social Security disability benefits, preparation is key. You can apply on your own, but working with a disability lawyer can simplify the process.
Either way, it’s important to have your personal records ready before starting your application. Gather the vital documents relevant to your condition, including any treatment forms, bank account information, work or income history, and medical evidence.
When you’re applying, don’t forget to proofread everything and answer every question honestly and to the best of your ability. Do not skip any questions. If you are unsure about a specific question, contact an SSA representative or speak with a disability lawyer for legal advice.
There are three ways to submit for Social Security disability in New Jersey:
Apply online: File your Social Security disability application directly on the SSA website and submit it electronically.
Apply via phone: Call the SSA at (800) 772-1213 or dial your nearest SSA office. Need help figuring out where to call? Our directory lists New Jersey offices with phone and fax numbers that can best assist you.
Apply in person: Visit your local SSA office to apply. Applying in person allows you to ask an SSA claims representative for specific instructions about your application.
Brick
2620 Yorktowne Blvd
Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00AM - 4:00PM
Phone Number: (877) 405-5870
Fax Number: (833) 950-3595
Bridgeton
149 West Brd St
Bridgeton, NJ 08302
Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00AM - 4:00PM
Phone Number: (866) 837-1235
Fax Number: (833) 950-2990
Bridgewater
245 Us Hwy 22 West Suite 207
Bridgewater, NJ 08807
Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00AM - 4:00PM
Phone Number: (866) 446-6198
Fax Number: (833) 950-3264
Cherry Hill
6 Executive Campus Suite 200
Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00AM - 4:00PM
Phone Number: (866) 931-2879
Fax Number: (833) 950-2974
Clifton
Clifton, NJ 07012
Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00AM - 4:00PM
Phone Number: (866) 964-0170
Fax Number: (833) 346-7157
East Orange
7 Glenwood Ave Ste 100
East Orange, NJ 07017
Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00AM - 4:00PM
Phone Number: (866) 964-0030
Fax Number: (833) 950-3311
Egg Harbor Twp
1350 Doughty Rd
Egg Harbor Twp, NJ 08234
Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00AM - 4:00PM
Phone Number: (877) 714-0394
Fax Number: (833) 950-2986
Glassboro
830 Delsea Dr North
Glassboro, NJ 08028
Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00AM - 4:00PM
Phone Number: (866) 883-5305
Fax Number: (833) 950-2668
Applying for disability benefits can be a long and tedious process. On average, New Jersey residents waited almost two and a half years for approval. That’s because the state denies most applications the first time around. Working with a disability lawyer can help you win the federal and short-term state benefits you deserve.
Disability lawyers are available to help you at any point in your application process. You can expect a disability lawyer to:
Simplify your disability application process and take this two-minute quiz to determine your eligibility for disability benefits.
We’ll connect you with an Atticus client advocate who will provide free disability advice and introduce you to an expert attorney who will advocate for your right to disability benefits.
To qualify for disability you need to have a condition that prevents you from working for at least a year. You’ll also need to meet certain work history requirements (for SSDI) or be within certain income limits (for SSI). For more on these requirements, read our full write up here.
Any condition that will prevent you from working for a year or more can qualify for disability benefits. Some of the most common conditions include musculoskeletal disorders, mental disorders, nervous system diseases, and circulatory system diseases. See our full list of conditions that qualify here.
It takes an average of 6.1 months to get an initial disability decision in New Jersey. Most people who apply are initially rejected, and need to appeal this decision. If you appeal and go to a hearing, the process takes around two years on average. Read more: How Long It Takes to Get Approved for Disability Benefits
The average SSDI payment in New Jersey is $1,505.33 per month. The average SSI payment is $631.99 per month. What you’ll earn depends on your income, or the amount you’ve historically paid into the Social Security program. Read more on what amount you can expect.
Answer the application questions truthfully, consistently, and succinctly. You should also ensure that you gather and submit all your medical records with your application. The SSA paperwork can be complicated, so our legal team has written a full guide to the application here.
Yes, New Jersey is one of the five states with its own state disability program. Residents can apply for Temporary Disability Insurance, which offers payments for up to 26 weeks. Work injuries aren’t covered, though. If your injury will keep you out of work longer, you can still apply for SSDI and SSI. Read more about the difference between SSDI and SSI here.
