About one million people in New Jersey have a disability. This is equivalent to 21% of its population and is below the national average of 25.6%.
Despite the availability of state and federal aid programs, many disabled residents do not receive financial assistance. Only 3.4% of New Jersey residents receive Social Security Disability Income.
Disabled residents should apply for any program they qualify for since health insurance plans do not efficiently supply the support they need.
So, what requirements must disabled residents meet to qualify for New Jersey Social Services? This post discusses everything you need to know about Social Security local to New Jersey.
How Do I Qualify for Social Security Benefits in New Jersey?
SSDI is a federal program, so the qualification criteria are the same across the U.S. except for a few exceptions in certain states. In New Jersey, an applicant should meet the following:
- You must have worked long enough and paid into the Social Security program.
- You do not have to be working currently; if you are, your income should not exceed $1,310 a month.
- Your disability (physical, intellectual, or developmental) limits your ability to work for at least a year.
- Your condition is listed in the Social Security Administration (SSA) Blue Book. The disabilities listed here are considered severe enough to affect a person’s ability to work and warrant disability coverage.
Note: The law protects workers from disability discrimination in the workplace. If you have a disability and are still working, your employer should make reasonable accommodations to help you complete your tasks.
How Do I Apply for Social Security Benefits in New Jersey?
Generally, like the qualifications, the application process remains the same across all states. There are three ways of filing for Social Security Disability in New Jersey- online, over the phone, or in person.
The online application on the SSA website is the easiest and most convenient. You may also call the federal Social Security Office at 800-772-1213 to have a customer representative help you with the application.
Those who prefer applying in person should visit their local New Jersey field offices for assistance. Most of these offices require you to schedule an appointment before visiting, so make sure to call in advance.
Remember, you can speed up the application process and increase your chances of approval if you prepare your documentation and evidence beforehand.
Besides the medical record related to your disability, you may need to provide personal information about yourself, your spouse, and dependent children if you have any.
Have copies of your marriage or divorce certificates, military records, current employment status, job and education history, and your New Jersey Social Security number.
What Happens After I Apply for Social Security Benefits in New Jersey?
Your newly filled SSDI application goes to the New Jersey SSA. Upon receiving the application, the SSA will send it to the New Jersey Disability Determinations Services (DDS) to determine whether you meet the requirements.
To begin, a claims examiner at the DDS will review the documents and medical evidence presented alongside your application. They may ask for additional information if necessary.
The claims examiner may schedule you for a consultative examination (C.E) with their chosen doctor. The doctor will establish the severity of your medical condition and how long it is expected to affect you.
The claims examiner may also seek the input of a vocational expert. The vocational expert will review your work history and medical records and determine the jobs you can manage with your medical condition.
The claims examiner will rely on all this information to conclude whether you are disabled. If considered disabled, you will be approved for benefits and start receiving them within five months.
If the claims examiner considers you not disabled, your application for benefits will be denied. But do not give up yet; you can file an appeal and increase your chances of success.
Appealing a Denial for Social Security Benefits in New Jersey
Unfortunately, 80% of New Jersey disability claims are denied during the initial application. That is why it is crucial to ensure you are fully eligible and have enough documentation to support your claim before applying for disability benefits.
If your application is denied, you can appeal to reevaluate your claim. There are four levels of appeals, and each step should be initiated within 60 days of the prior denial.
Reconsideration
Reconsideration is the first level of appeal for denied disability claims. At this point, you are asking to have a new DDS claims examiner review your initial claim and make a new determination.
Disability Hearing
If the new claims examiner upholds the initial determination, you can go ahead to request a hearing with an administrative law judge (ALJ).
Claimants attend their hearings in person, so yours will be scheduled at your nearest SSA Hearing Office in Jersey City, Newark, or Pennsauken.
You may be asked to present additional documentation to support your disability. Most SSDI claimants hire an SSD lawyer during this stage.
Appeals Council
You can ask the Appeals Council to review your case if the second appeal results in a denial. The court may refuse to take your case after examining the former decisions.
Federal Court
This is the last course of redress that you can take. If all three other attempts have been unsuccessful, you file a lawsuit at the federal district court.
You will need an experienced SSD attorney to represent you at the federal court level.
New Jersey SSDI Hearing Wait Times & Average Approval Rate
New Jersey is in Region 2 (New York), which facilitates New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands.
The state has three hearing offices, which currently take eight months to schedule a disability hearing. This is much lower than the average wait time at the national level.
Similarly, your chance of being approved for SSD benefits at the disability hearing in New Jersey is relatively high.
Appeal hearings in New Jersey have an average approval rate of 56% against the 51% national average. Your chances of approval are even higher if an SSD lawyer represents you.
So, hire a lawyer to represent you and give you the best chance at getting the benefits you need and deserve.
How Do I Contact the New Jersey Social Security Office Near Me?
Below is a list of Social Security Field offices that serve New Jersey residents with their SSD needs.
You can call or visit any New Jersey Social Security office near you for queries or assistance with the application process.
SSA Field Office | Physical Address | Phone Number |
| Newark SSA Office | 970 Broad Street Room 1035 Newark, NJ 7102 | (877) 255-1507 |
| Trenton SSA Office | 635 S Clinton Ave Roebling Market Trenton, NJ 8611 | (866) 964-0026 |
| Cherry Hill SSA Office | Suite 200 6 Executive Campus Cherry Hill, NJ 8002 | (866) 931-2879 |
| Paterson SSA Office | 200 Federal Plz First Floor Paterson, NJ 7505 | (888) 397-9806 |
| Union Township SSA Office | 855 Lehigh Ave Union, NJ 7083 | (877) 803-6306 |
| Woodbridge SSA Office | 190 Middlesex Trnpk 3rd Floor Iselin, NJ 8830 | (877) 600-2852 |
| Jersey City SSA Office | 325 West Side Avenue Jersey City, NJ 7305 | (877) 405-2884 |
| Clifton SSA Office | 935 Allwood Rd Clifton, NJ 7012 | (866) 964-0170 |
| Egg Harbor Twp SSA Office | 1350 Doughty Rd Egg Harbor Twp, NJ 8234 | (877) 714-0394 |
| Bridgeton SSA Office | 149 West Broad Street Bridgeton, NJ 8302 | (866) 837-1235 |
| Neptune SSA Office | 3310 State Route 66 Neptune, NJ 7753 | (877) 405-0475 |
| Hackensack SSA Office | 401 Hackensack Ave Continental Plz 2nd Floor Hackensack, NJ 7601 | (866) 964-4680 |
| East Orange SSA Office | 7 Glenwood Ave Ste 100 East Orange, NJ 7017 | (866) 964-0030 |
| Parsippany SSA Office | 2200 State Rt 10 2nd Floor Parsippany, NJ 7054 | (866) 331-7131 |
| New Brunswick SSA Office | 550 Jersey Avenue Suite 200 New Brunswick, NJ 8901 | (877) 803-6313 |
| Springfield Ave SSA Office | 274 Springfield Ave Newark, NJ 7103 | (877) 402-0821 |
| Glassboro SSA Office | 830 Delsea Dr North Glassboro, NJ 8028 | (866) 883-5305 |
| Toms River SSA Office | 190 St Catherine Blvd Toms River, NJ 8755 | (877) 255-1497 |
| Rio Grande SSA Office | 1046 Route 47 South Rio Grande, NJ 8242 | (877) 405-9194 |
| Bridgewater SSA Office | 245 Highway 22 Suite 207 Bridgewater, NJ 8807 | (866) 446-6198 |
| Hoboken SSA Office | 79 Hudson St 6th Floor Hoboken, NJ 7030 | (877) 505-4547 |
| Mt Laurel SSA Office | 532 Fellowship Rd Suite E Mount Laurel, NJ 8054 | (866) 837-5002 |
| Newton SSA Office | 20 East Clinton Street Newton, NJ 7860 | (877) 575-5189 |
| Brick SSA Office | 2620 Yorktowne Blvd Brick, NJ 8723 | (877) 405-5870 |
Get Legal Help Applying for Social Security Benefits in New Jersey
The Social Security disability application process is not easy. You must fill and submit all required forms and documents on time.
You must also provide satisfactory medical evidence regarding your disability. You will also encounter the overwhelming appeal process if your claim is denied during the initial application.
All these things can be quite draining if you are doing it alone. An experienced SSD lawyer can help you gather enough evidence to increase your chances of approval during the initial application.
At Legal Giant, we can link you up with a Local SSD lawyer in New Jersey to help with your claim. Contact us today for a free initial consultation with a New Jersey SSD attorney.
