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How to Apply for Disability Benefits in New Jersey

Written by

Jackie Jakab

Lead Attorney

Published June 19, 2024

2 min read

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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.

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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.

Does New Jersey have TDI?

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.

How to qualify for New Jersey Temporary Disability Insurance

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.

How are New Jersey Temporary Disability Insurance Benefits calculated?

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.

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