Governor Phil Murphy • Lt. Governor Tahesha Way

Disability Information Hub

Cash Assistance

For an ASL summary of the resources on this page, visit American Sign Language: Cash Assistance - YouTubeI

There are several cash assistance programs that can help you depending on your needs and finances.

Each program has different eligibility requirements, and you will need to apply to each separately, as some are administered by the State of New Jersey and others by the federal government.

 

Get Help Now

  • Learn about state cash assistance and more at WFNJ.gov.
  • For more information about your eligibility for SSI or SSDI, please call 1-800-772-1213. 

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Work First New Jersey 

Cash assistance and services to help you get back on your feet.

The Basics

Work First New Jersey provides temporary cash assistance and support services for eligible individuals and families. The program helps with:

  • Short-term housing support
  • Childcare
  • Employment and training services

WFNJ includes:

  • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) – for families with children
  • General Assistance (GA) – for individuals or couples without children

Who is Eligible?

You may be eligible if you:

  • Are a New Jersey resident
  • Have less than $2,000 in savings and other disposable assets (Visit WFNJ.gov to view the current limits)

To Apply

  • Apply online at WFNJ.gov to see if you are eligible for TANF or GA
  • You can also visit NJHelps.gov to check eligibility for WFNJ and other benefit programs

More Information

For additional details about Work First New Jersey programs and services, visit:

Invisible 

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Monthly financial help for people with disabilities and older adults with limited income.

The Basics

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal program that provides monthly payments to:

  •  Adults and children with a disability or legal blindness who have little to no income and resources
  •  Individuals who are age 65 or older without a disability who have little to no income or resources

The maximum monthly SSI payment for 2025 is $967 for an individual and $1,450 for a couple. Your amount may be lower based on your income, certain family members’ income, your living situation, and other factors. Learn more about how much you can get from SSI here.

Who Is Eligible?

You may be eligible if you:

  • Have a disability or are legally blind OR are age 65 or older
  • Have limited income (income limit)
  • Have limited resources less than $2,000 for an individual, or less than $3,000 for a couple

Note: Eligibility rules for children may include consideration of parent or guardian income.

To Apply

You can:

More Information

 

Social Security Disability Insurance

Monthly payments for people with disabilities who can no longer work

The Basics

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a federal program that pays monthly benefits to workers who cannot work for a year or more because of a disability.

You should apply as soon as you become permanently disabled. It may take three to five months for Social Security to process your application.

Who Is Eligible?

You may be eligible for SSDI if you:

  • Have worked in a job covered by Social Security
  • Have a medical condition that meets Social Security’s definition of disability
  • Are unable to work for a year or more because of your disability
  • Use the eligibility tool to check if you qualify

To Apply

You can:


SSDI claims for New Jersey are handled by the New Jersey Department of Labor – Division of Disability Determination Services.

More Information

For help understanding disability benefits – including SSDI and SSI – visit the Disability Benefits 101 website. This resource provides clear information about benefits and includes planning tools that show how work can affect your benefits.

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Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund

Get help paying for your child’s medical bills.

The Basics

The Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund is a financial assistance program for New Jersey families with potentially catastrophic medical expenses due to a child’s illness or condition. 

Who is Eligible?

To be eligible, expenses must:

  • Be due to a child’s illness and have been incurred before their 22nd birthday
  • Exceed 10% of the family’s income that year, plus 15% of any income over $100,000
  • Not be covered by insurance, other State or Federal programs, or other sources such as fundraising

To Apply

You can apply online for the Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund. Families may reapply each year if needed.

More Information

To learn more, visit Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund or call 1-800-335-3863.

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