Official Site of The State of New Jersey

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 nj.gov/humanservices/wfnj/
• For more information about your eligibility for SSI or SSDI, please call 1-800-772-1213. 

Work First New Jersey

Through Work First New Jersey (WFNJ), the State provides temporary cash assistance to families as well as single adults. The program also provides critical services like short-term housing support, child care, and employment and training services. Within the WFNJ program:

• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) provides cash assistance and other support services to families.
• General Assistance (GA) provides cash assistance and other support services to individuals or couples without children.

Visit www.nj.gov/humanservices/wfnj/ to see if you are eligible and to apply for TANF or GA.  You can also visit the NJHelps website to assess your eligibility for WFNJ and other helpful programs.

You may be eligible if you:

• Are a New Jersey resident.
• Have less than $2,000 in savings and other disposable assets.
• Your income is under the income limit. For instance, in 2023, a family of three can have a monthly income of up to $839 or a single adult can have a monthly income of up to $278.

 

Supplemental Security Income

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal program that provides monthly payments to adults and children with a disability or legal blindness who have income and resources below specific financial limits. SSI payments are also available for individuals 65 and older without disabilities who meet the financial qualifications.

To check if you are eligible for SSI, use this tool.

You can also apply online.

SSI claims are handled by the New Jersey Department of Labor’s Division of Disability Determination Services. If you want to apply in-person or by phone, or if you have any questions, call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) Monday through Friday from 7 am to 7 pm.

You may be eligible if you are:

• Legally Blind
• Have a disability
• Or are 65 and older AND
• Have less than $2,000 in savings, stocks, and other disposable assets for an individual or less than $3,000 if you are a couple.
• Your income is under the income limit. For instance, in 2023, a single adult can have monthly employment income of up to $1,913 or a couple can have monthly employment income of up to $2,827.

Note: Eligibility for children is based on different rules and parental income. While a portion of the application for children can be completed online, you must schedule an in-person or telephone appointment to submit the full application. For more information about benefits for children, visit the SSI for children program page or call 1-800-772-1213.

 

Social Security Disability Insurance

The federal Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program pays benefits to workers who are unable to work for a year or more because of a disability.

You should apply as soon as you become permanently disabled. It can take three to five months to process your application.

To check if you are eligible for SSDI, use this tool.

You can also apply online.

SSDI claims are handled by the New Jersey Department of Labor’s Division of Disability Determination Services. If you want to apply in-person or by phone, or if you have any questions, call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) Monday through Friday from 7 am to 7 pm.

You may be eligible if you:

• Have worked in jobs covered by Social Security.
• Have a medical condition that meets Social Security's strict definition of disability.

 

Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund

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.

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. 

Learn more about the program, apply online or call 1-800-335-3863. Families may reapply annually.