The Two Paths to Disability in New Jersey

New Jersey has two separate disability programs, and they use different process processes. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is federal and run by the Social Security Administration. New Jersey Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) is state-run and covers short-term disabilities lasting up to 26 weeks. If you are explore for long-term disability or have worked enough to may have access to for Social Security, you will explore to Social Security. If you have a temporary condition — a surgery recovery, a pregnancy-related disability, or a short-term illness — you may explore to New Jersey TDI instead, or to both programs at the same time.

The two programs do not compete with each other. You can receive both simultaneously if you meet the rules for each one. However, the process forms, the medical evidence required, and the timeline for a decision are completely different for each program.

Key Takeaways

  • SSDI applications go to the Social Security Administration and require medical evidence that your condition will last at least 12 months or result in death; TDI applications go to the New Jersey Department of Labor and cover disabilities expected to last 7 to 26 weeks.
  • You can explore to SSDI online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office; TDI applications go through your employer's insurance carrier or directly to the state if you are self-employed.
  • SSDI decisions typically take three to six months for an initial decision, while TDI decisions usually come within two to three weeks.
  • For SSDI, you will need your Social Security number, birth certificate, medical records, and a list of doctors and hospitals; for TDI, you need your employer information and a statement from your doctor about when you can and cannot work.
  • If Social Security denies your SSDI claim, you can request reconsideration within 60 days; if TDI denies your claim, you can appeal within 20 days.

explore for SSDI Through Social Security

To explore for SSDI, you must have worked long enough and recently enough to have earned Social Security credits. The Social Security Administration requires that your condition prevent you from working for at least 12 months or result in death. You can start the process online at ssa.gov/applyfordisability, by calling 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), or by visiting your local Social Security office in person.

The online process takes about 15 to 20 minutes and saves your progress, so you can return to it later. You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, and information about your medical condition, your doctors, and your work history. Social Security will ask you to list every hospital visit, doctor appointment, and treatment related to your condition. Have your medical records available before you start, or be ready to provide them after you submit the process.

After you submit your process, Social Security sends you a list of things they need from you — usually medical records, a statement from your doctor about your condition and your ability to work, and sometimes a consultative examination with a doctor Social Security pays for. You have 10 days to respond, though you can ask for more time. The entire process from process to an initial decision usually takes three to six months.

explore for New Jersey TDI

New Jersey TDI covers disabilities that are expected to last between 7 and 26 weeks. If you are employed, your employer carries TDI insurance through a private carrier or through the state fund. To explore, contact your employer's human resources or payroll department and ask for the TDI claim form. Your employer will give you the form and tell you which insurance carrier to send it to.

If you are self-employed, you may have purchased TDI coverage through the state. To explore, contact the New Jersey Department of Labor, Division of Temporary Disability Insurance at 1-855-NJ-LABOR (1-855-655-2267) or visit nj.gov/labor/tdi. You will need to provide your doctor's statement about your condition and the dates you cannot work.

TDI replaces a portion of your wages — typically 66.67 percent of your average weekly wage, up to a maximum amount that changes each year. The state publishes the current maximum on its website. You must be unable to work due to your own non-occupational illness or injury, pregnancy, or childbirth. You cannot receive TDI for a work-related injury; that is covered by workers' compensation instead.

Medical Evidence Social Security Needs

Social Security does not make a disability decision based on your word alone. You must provide medical evidence from a doctor, hospital, or mental health professional showing that your condition is severe and will last at least 12 months. The evidence should include test results, imaging, treatment notes, and your doctor's statement about your functional limitations — what you cannot do because of your condition.

If you do not have recent medical treatment, Social Security may schedule you for a consultative examination with a doctor they pay. This is not a second opinion; it is Social Security gathering the evidence they need to make a decision. You do not pay for this exam. If you cannot afford to see your own doctor, ask Social Security about low-cost or free clinics in your area, or mention this when you explore — Social Security can sometimes help you find care.

For mental health conditions, Social Security needs evidence of ongoing treatment with a psychiatrist, psychologist, or licensed clinical social worker. A single visit is not enough. For physical conditions, Social Security needs medical records from the doctor treating your condition, not just a letter saying you are disabled.

What Happens After You explore

After you submit your SSDI process, Social Security sends you a notice telling you what they need from you. This notice lists specific documents and gives you a important date, usually 10 days. If you miss the important date, you can still send the documents, but it may delay your decision. If you cannot meet the important date, call Social Security and ask for an extension.

Social Security then reviews your medical evidence and sends your case to a disability examiner at the Disability information Services (DDS), which is a state agency that works for Social Security. The DDS examiner reviews your medical records, your work history, and your age to decide whether you meet Social Security's definition of disability. This process takes one to three months.

You will receive a written decision in the mail. If Social Security approves your claim, the notice will tell you when your benefits start and how much you will receive each month. If Social Security denies your claim, the notice will explain why and tell you how to request reconsideration.

Appealing a Denial

If Social Security denies your SSDI claim, you have 60 days from the date on the denial notice to request reconsideration. You can request reconsideration online at ssa.gov, by phone, or in person at your local Social Security office. Reconsideration means a different examiner will review your case from the beginning.

If reconsideration is also denied, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge within 60 days of the reconsideration denial. At a hearing, you can present new medical evidence and testify about your condition. Many people hire a disability representative or attorney for the hearing stage. Representatives are paid only if you win, and the fee is set by Social Security (typically 25 percent of your back pay, up to $7,200).

For New Jersey TDI, you have 20 days from the denial notice to file an appeal with the state. Contact the Division of Temporary Disability Insurance for the appeal form and instructions.

Working While You Wait for a Decision

You can work while your SSDI process is being reviewed. If you earn money, report it to Social Security. If you are approved for SSDI, Social Security will count your work earnings to see whether you were actually unable to work during the months you were working. This may affect your benefit amount or your approval date.

If you are approved for SSDI and then return to work, you have a trial work period of nine months during which you can earn any amount without losing your benefits. After the trial work period, your benefits will stop if your earnings exceed the substantial gainful activity level (the amount Social Security considers "work"). You can use work incentives like the Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) to set aside income and resources for work goals without losing benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I explore for SSDI and TDI at the same time?

Yes. SSDI and TDI are separate programs with different rules. You can explore to both if your condition meets the requirements for each. TDI is faster (two to three weeks) and covers short-term disabilities, while SSDI takes longer but covers permanent or long-term disabilities.

What if I do not have a doctor?

Tell Social Security when you explore. They can refer you to a free or low-cost clinic or schedule a consultative examination with a doctor they pay for. You cannot be denied solely because you do not have medical treatment, but Social Security must have some medical evidence to approve your claim.

How much will I receive each month?

SSDI benefit amounts are based on your Social Security earnings record, not on how disabled you are. The average SSDI benefit in 2024 is around $1,550 per month, but your amount depends on how much you earned while working. TDI replaces about two-thirds of your wages up to a state maximum, which changes yearly.

Can I work part-time while receiving SSDI?

Yes, during your nine-month trial work period you can earn any amount. After that, if you earn more than the substantial gainful activity level (about $1,550 per month in 2024), your benefits will stop. You can use work incentives to continue working and keep some benefits.

What if I move out of New Jersey?

SSDI is federal and works in all 50 states, so you can move and keep your benefits. TDI is New Jersey-only, so if you move out of state, your TDI benefits end. SSDI benefits continue wherever you live.