New Jersey Disability Benefits

New Jersey Disability Programs: The New Jersey Department of Human Services works with consumers, families, advocacy groups, state and municipal officials and service providers throughout the state to guarantee that the rights of the disabled in New Jersey are safeguarded and that they and their families are provided access to quality services and programs that meet their immediate and long-term needs. The New Jersey Department of Human Services, in a general sense, imposes and enforces NJ Disability Laws. New Jersey Disability programs provide the following services: the provision of health care for individuals with disabilities and special needs, employment-related and day programs, community living, community-based mental health and patient care for both adults and children with behavioral and emotional problems, and the delivery of assistive technological devices for individuals who are deaf or blind. Services for the disabled are accessed through the following NJ Disability Departments: NJ Disability Programs: The Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund This New Jersey Disability program provides eligible families with financial assistance for incurred medical expenses for their children that exceed 10% of the first $100,000 of their shared income plus 15% of any income in excess of 100 grand. • The commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired • The Division of the Deaf and Hard of hearing • The Division of Developmental Disabilities • The Division of Disability Services • The Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services: • Good Neighbors, Community Living for People with Disabilities Eligibility Requirements for NJ Disability Benefits: NJ Disability Wage Requirements: NJ disability law states that an individual applying for New Jersey disability benefits must meet state-established wage requirements to be eligible for temporary assistance. In order to file a valid claim for New Jersey Disability, you must have received at least 20 calendar weeks in covered New Jersey employment in which you earned a minimum of $145 per period or a cumulative total of $7,300 in such employment during the base period. Limitation of Benefits: In addition to medical and wage requirements, an applicant for New Jersey disability benefits must meet the eligibility criteria. The following are some reasons why a person would be REJECTED from receiving New Jersey disability benefits: • Each New Jersey disability claim is reviewed to see if the applicant meets eligibility criteria. An applicant would be denied New Jersey disability benefits if the disability does not exceed seven days in length; the first seven consecutive days of each period of disability is regarded as the waiting week. This week is payable when disability benefits are paid for all or part of each of the three weeks immediately following this waiting period • NJ disability law declares that the applicant would be rejected if they already received 26 weeks of benefits for this particular period of disability. The maximum number of weeks allowable for New Jersey disability for any one period is 26 • NJ disability law declares that the applicant would not receive New Jersey disability benefits if the disability resulted from participation in a criminal act or the disability was self-inflicted • NJ disability law states that the applicant will be rejected if they were discharged by their most recent employer for gross misconduct connected with the employment because of a commission of an act regarded—and subsequently punishable—as a crime under NJ disability law • NJ disability law states that applicants who are not under a current medical care plan are not eligible for New Jersey disability benefits. All applicants for New Jersey disability benefits must be under the care of a legally licensed optometrist, dentist, and physician, practicing psychologist, podiatrist, certified nurse, chiropractor or advanced practice nurse. Non-Duplication of Benefits: Under New Jersey Disability law it is impermissible to receive benefits for the same period and same disability from multiple divisions or chapters. New Jersey disability law prohibits the delivery of disability benefits if: • For any time during which benefits are being paid or under and disability or cash sickness benefit or similar law of the state or Federal government. • For any time period during which workers’ compensation benefits are paid to the individual other than for permanent total disability had previously incurred • Temporary New Jersey disability benefits are reduced by the amount paid under any private retirement or government plan. Social Security Retirement Benefits will not reduce State Plan temporary disability benefits. Applying for New Jersey Benefits: How to Apply for New Jersey Benefits: Disability benefits are designed to be delivered via mail. You must submit your claim for New Jersey disability benefits by mailing the application (Form DS-1) to the Disability Insurance Office in Trenton. NJ disability declares that Form DS-1 may be procured from the State of New Jersey’s Department of Labor and Workforce Development (located here) or by telephoning or writing your employer, your union or the Division of Temporary Disability Insurance. The address for the this office is: PO Box 387 Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0387 and they may be reached via telephone at (609)-292-7060. The application for NJ disability benefits consists of three segments: these segments must be completed by you, your treating physician and your most recent employer. The NJ disability claim must be mailed to the Disability Insurance Office in Trenton within 30 days of the onset of your condition. If the claim is submitted beyond this point, you must provide a written explanation as to why the delivery was delayed. Remember to include your Social Security number and name on all forms and correspondence. Work Related Disabilities: If you endure a work-related disability and your employer’s workers’ compensation provider does not supply you with benefits or stops paying your workers’ compensation benefits, you may qualify for NJ disability benefits. NJ disability law declares that, work related disabilities are not compensable according to the state’s Temporary Disability Benefits Law. NJ disability law states that these forms of disabilities are solely covered by Workers’ Compensation Law. Therefore, if your disability is work related, you must contact your employer and file a workers’ compensation claim with their respective workers’ compensation insurance carrier. That being said, if your disability is work related but your employer’s workers’ compensation carrier rejects your request for benefits, you are permitted to file a claim with the New Jersey Division of Temporary Disability Insurance. To be ruled eligible for temporary disability benefits, you must satisfy all of the Temporary Disability Benefits provisions, file a claim with the Division of Workers’ Compensation and agree to reimburse the Division of Temporary Disability Insurance if you are provided with Workers’ compensation benefits. The majority of claimants opt to consult with a legal specialist when filing a petition for work related disability benefits. If you require addition information regarding the filing of a workers’ compensation claim petition, it is suggested that you contact the New Jersey Division of Workers’ Compensation located here.