Your complete guide to disability benefits in New Jersey (2023)

Are you a New Jersey employee who recently left work due to a health issue or an injury unrelated to your job? Then there are 3 different New Jersey disability options that can help you and your family financially.

The New Jersey Temporary Disability Insurance Program can provide cashAdvantagesthat you and your family are helping you through this difficult time. These benefits are available to help pay rent or cover your mortgage and livelihood while you recover from an injury or illness.

Your doctor will need to confirm how long it is likely to take you to recover from your condition. Benefits are paid to successful applicants for a maximum of 26 weeks.

Concerned about COVID?

If your doctor certifies that you are unable to work because you have an underlying health condition that puts you at high risk of COVID-19, you may be eligible for TDI benefits.

Eligible beneficiaries receive 85% of their average weekly wage up to the specified maximum weekly benefit for the calendar year. In 2022, the maximum weekly benefit rate is $993/week.

Who pays for this service?

Insurance companies pay benefits in New Jersey. Most employers in New Jersey are required to provide temporary disability insurance for their employees. Both workers and employers in New Jersey contribute to the cost of insurance premiums that thetemporary disabilityProgram.

TOP:If you fall under the state plan,Apply for TDI benefits online.If you are insured with a private insurance company, your employer will tell you how to make a claim.

Related:New York Disability: 3 Ways to Receive Monthly Benefits

Who is Eligible for Disability Benefit in New Jersey?

To qualify for TDI in New Jersey in 2022, you must have worked 20 weeks. Additionally, you had to be earning at least $240 per week in the base year or have earned a total of $12,000.

To be eligible for New Jersey TDI, you must have paid into the program through your employment and meet the minimum gross income requirements. TDI is available to most New Jersey workers.

Exceptions include federal employees and some local government employees, such as B. School district employees, non-government employees, employees of religious organizations, and workers who are not technically employees (e.g., properly classified independent contractors).

If you think you are covered by the program but no payroll contributions have been made, you are still encouraged to apply as this may have been a mistake. If you have recently become unemployed and need TDI, you may still be eligible for benefits.

How to claim short-term disability benefits in New Jersey:

1. Create an online account atNew Jersey State website.
2. Read and launch the application.
3. Print out the instruction forms and give them to your doctor.
4. Receive your debit card in the mail. Don't use it yet; It has no credit when you receive it for the first time.
5. Wait for your approval decision.
6. The state of New Jersey will fund your card two days after your application is approved.
7. Visit agovernment websiteto verify your claim.

There are two additional disability benefit programs in New Jersey.

Additional federal benefit programs administered by the Social Security Administration — SSI and SSDI — may pay you benefits. This only applies if your doctor assumes that this will make you unable to work for at least a year.

Programm Nr. 1: Social Security Disability Insurance oder SSDI

You can only qualify for SSDI if you have worked full-time in a job that paid FICA payroll taxes for 5 of the last 10 years.You're entitled to benefits if a doctor says your condition will last at least 12 months or will result in death.If your condition improves enough to be able to return to work in less than 12 months, you may not qualify.

Some people who do not receive an SSDI include service industry workers, union members, and federal or state employees. If you stopped working more than 5 years ago, you also do not qualify for SSDI. This is because your insurance cover expires if you do not pay any premiums for 60 consecutive months.

• You must be between the ages of 18 and 65 to receive SSDI benefits.
• If you already have some regular Social Security payments or are retired, you may not qualify for SSDI either.

SSA takes 3-5 months to review all SSDI claims. There is also a necessary one5 months grace periodbefore you receive benefits. Therefore, we recommend that you first apply for New Jersey's TDI disability benefits.SSA approves 1 in 5 - or 20% - SSDI performance claims for the first time. In fact, only 35% of all SSDI applicants ultimately benefit.

TIP: To improve your entitlement, get a New Jersey Disability Lawyer to help you with the file. They work on a contingency basis, so you owe $0 until the claim is approved.

The maximum for the SSDI program in 2022 is$3,345/month. The average monthly SSDI benefit for workers with disabilities nationwide is $1,358/month. The SSA calculates your specific benefit level based on the highest average salary over a 35-year period. SSA will review yours againstate of incapacityevery 3, 5 or 7 years until you reach full retirement age. Then SSDI switches automaticallySocial Security pension payments.

Program #2: Benefits of Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

SSI has thestricter admission requirementsany program. But if you haven't worked full-time for 5 of the last 10 years, or are over 65 and have little wealth, apply for SSI.

SSI payment amounts go up to a maximum of $841/month per person or $1,261/month per couple.

The medical eligibility requirements for SSI are the same as for SSDI. However, to qualify, you must have a very low income. It is also important to have little financial wealth.Your total household income cannot exceed $1,350/month and you must have less than $2,000 in assets and financial resources (or $3,000 for couples).There are some exceptions to the wealth rule: The SSA doesn't count your house, the land it's on, a vehicle, your wedding ring, and certain household items.

If you are selling real estate, speak with a New Jersey disability attorney before applying for SSI.

You may be entitled to legal assistance

Applying for disability benefits in New Jersey can seem difficult if you are ill or disabled. If you need help, speak to an experienced personSocial Security Attorneyfree by phone.

Having your paperwork filed by a New Jersey disability attorney will make the process a lot easier.All New Jersey disability attorneys work on a contingency basis, so you don't have to pay anything to apply for help now. Have you ever been denied benefits? A New Jersey disability attorney can review your claim and correct any errors before you appeal.

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