Official Site of The State of New Jersey

Individuals with physical disabilities or traumatic brain injury (TBI) may need additional supports in order to live their lives to the fullest. In New Jersey, The Department of Human Services, Division of Disability Services (DDS) serves as the lead state agency representing the interests of individuals by providing information and support to enhance health, education, employment, recreation, and social engagement. This page lists some of the many resources available to individuals with disabilities through DDS, including: 

• Information and Referral (I&R Services) 
• The Traumatic Brain Injury Fund, and 
• The Personal Assistance Services Program 

 

Get Help Now 

• For more information about supports and services for individuals with disabilities, please contact the Division of Disability Services at 1-888-285-3036, or visit the DDS website. You can also contact the DDS Information and Referral Services line to be connected with a DDS Community Resource Specialist to answer questions about available services at 1-888-285-3036. 
• To stay current with the latest information from DDS, you can subscribe to the DS listserv by selecting “subscribe for email updates” at the bottom of the DDS website. 

 

• Information and Referral (I&R) Services
  Through a toll-free hotline, 1-888-285-3036, nationally certified Community Resource Specialists (CRSs) are available during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, to assist NJ residents with disabilities in navigating and accessing community supports and State programs. For more information, visit the I&R website.
  
  
• Traumatic Brain Injury Fund (TBI Fund)
  The TBI Fund provides services and supports to New Jersey residents of any age, who have a traumatic brain injury. The Fund aims to foster independence and maximize quality of life when insurance, personal resources, and/or public programs are unavailable to meet those needs.
  
  Services include but are not limited to: companion care; personal care; household management; assistive technology; physical/occupational therapies; cognitive rehabilitation therapy; and home/vehicle modifications.
  
  An eligible applicant must be a NJ resident for at least 90 days prior to the application date, have liquid assets less than $100,000, and have a medically documented traumatic brain injury. For more information or to apply for the TBI Fund, visit the TBI Fund website. 
  
  
• Personal Assistance Services Program (PASP)
  The PASP is a personal care assistance program for individuals with permanent physical disabilities who are capable of directing their own services. The program provides up to 40 hours per week of routine, non-medical personal care assistance to adults ages 18 years and older, who are employed, preparing for employment (attending school or other training) or engaged in volunteer work. Personal assistants help with personal care tasks including, but not limited to: bathing, dressing, eating, grooming, meal preparation, shopping, light housekeeping, driving or using public transportation. Eligibility is open to all who meet the above criteria, regardless of earnings. There may be a cost share based on income. 
  

  For more information and to apply for services, visit the PASP web page. 

• NJ ABLE
  With NJ ABLE, eligible individuals with disabilities can save money for disability-related expenses in tax advantaged savings and investing accounts. Savings in ABLE accounts are disregarded when determining eligibility for many government assistance programs with asset thresholds, including but not limited to: Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs. 

  For Supplemental Security Income (SSI), account balances of up to and including $100,000 are excluded from the SSI resource limit. If an individual’s balance exceeds $100,000, the SSI cash benefit will be suspended, but he/she will continue to be eligible for Medicaid. Once the balance falls below $100,000 again, the cash benefit will be reinstated automatically—no need to reapply.  
  
  Allowable withdrawals or expenses are not limited to medical necessity and can include: education, housing, transportation, personal support services, and more. The individual with the disability is the account owner and anyone can contribute to the account. Income earned by the account is not taxed. 
  
  For more information about starting an account, visit the NJ ABLE web page.  

For more information regarding services provided by DDS and to access electronic versions of DDS publications, visit the Division of Disability Services. To stay current with the latest information from DDS, you can subscribe to their listserv by selecting “subscribe for email updates” on the bottom of the DDS homepage.