Public data | clear sources
Disability benefits in New Jersey
In New Jersey, 164,762 people received SSI (average $686.09 a month) and 156,810 disabled workers received SSDI (average $1,818.10) as of December 2025.
Benefit amounts depend on eligibility, income, and living arrangements. Use the source links to check the applicable period.
Quick reference
| Label | Value | As of | Source link | Last verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal SSI maximum, individual (monthly) | $994 | 2026-01-01 | ssa-ssi-state-list | 2026-11-12 |
| Federal SSI maximum, couple (monthly) | $1,491 | 2026-01-01 | ssa-ssi-state-list | 2026-11-12 |
| Who pays the state SSI supplement | Social Security pays it | 2026-01-01 | ssa-ssi-state-list | 2026-11-12 |
| State supplement, Individual: All: Congregate care (state code A; federal living arrangement A: own household) | $150.05 | 2026-01-01 | poms-si-01415-058 | 2026-11-12 |
| State supplement, Individual: All: Living alone or with others (state code B; federal living arrangement A: own household) | $31.25 | 2026-01-01 | poms-si-01415-058 | 2026-11-12 |
| State supplement, Individual: Individual: Living alone with an ineligible spouse (state code C; federal living arrangement A: own household) | $152.99 | 2026-01-01 | poms-si-01415-058 | 2026-11-12 |
| State supplement, Individual: All: Licensed residential health care facilities (RHCF) (state code I; federal living arrangement A: own household) | $210.05 | 2026-01-01 | poms-si-01415-058 | 2026-11-12 |
| State supplement, Individual: All: Living in the household of another (state code D; federal living arrangement B: another person's household (federal rate reduced by one-third)) | $44.31 | 2026-01-01 | poms-si-01415-058 | 2026-11-12 |
| State supplement, Individual: All: Living alone or with others (state code B; federal living arrangement C: parent's household (child)) | $31.25 | 2026-01-01 | poms-si-01415-058 | 2026-11-12 |
| State supplement, Individual: All: Medicaid facility resident (state code G; federal living arrangement D: Medicaid facility (federal rate limited to $30 / $60)) | $20 | 2026-01-01 | poms-si-01415-058 | 2026-11-12 |
| State supplement, Couple: All: Congregate care (state code A; federal living arrangement A: own household) | $618.35 | 2026-01-01 | poms-si-01415-058 | 2026-11-12 |
| State supplement, Couple: All: Living alone or with others (state code B; federal living arrangement A: own household) | $25.35 | 2026-01-01 | poms-si-01415-058 | 2026-11-12 |
| State supplement, Couple: All: Licensed residential health care facilities (RHCF) (state code I; federal living arrangement A: own household) | $738.35 | 2026-01-01 | poms-si-01415-058 | 2026-11-12 |
| State supplement, Couple: All: Living in the household of another (state code D; federal living arrangement B: another person's household (federal rate reduced by one-third)) | $93.08 | 2026-01-01 | poms-si-01415-058 | 2026-11-12 |
| State supplement, Couple: All: Medicaid facility resident (state code G; federal living arrangement D: Medicaid facility (federal rate limited to $30 / $60)) | $40 | 2026-01-01 | poms-si-01415-058 | 2026-11-12 |
| State-administered supplement amounts | No state-administered supplement | 2026-01-01 | ssa-ssi-state-list | 2026-11-12 |
| SSI recipients | 164,762 | 2025-12-31 | ssa-ssi-asr | 2026-11-12 |
| Average monthly SSI payment | $686.09 | 2025-12-31 | ssa-ssi-asr | 2026-11-12 |
| Recipients of SSA-paid state supplement | Not verified | 2025-12-31 | ssa-ssi-asr | 2026-11-12 |
| SSI recipients who are blind or disabled | 128,427 | 2025-12-31 | ssa-ssi-sc | 2026-11-12 |
| SSI recipients under age 18 | 24,506 | 2025-12-31 | ssa-ssi-asr | 2026-11-12 |
| SSI recipients also receiving Social Security | 53,321 | 2025-12-31 | ssa-ssi-sc | 2026-11-12 |
| SSDI disabled-worker beneficiaries | 156,810 | 2025-12-31 | ssa-oasdi-sc | 2026-11-12 |
| Total monthly SSDI benefits to disabled workers | $285,097,000 | 2025-12-31 | ssa-oasdi-sc | 2026-11-12 |
| Average monthly SSDI benefit (disabled workers) | $1,818.10 Estimate ssdi.totalMonthlyBenefits / ssdi.disabledWorkerBeneficiaries | 2025-12-31 | ssa-oasdi-sc | 2026-11-12 |
| Spouses and children receiving SSDI family benefits | 22,615 Estimate Table 2 Disability Spouses + Disability Children | 2025-12-31 | ssa-oasdi-sc | 2026-11-12 |
| Initial disability claims received (12 months) | 70,118 Estimate Sum of monthly Receipts (All Initial), FY2026 | 2026-09-25 | ssa-mowl | 2026-11-12 |
| Initial disability decisions (12 months) | 68,730 Estimate Sum of monthly Determinations (All Initial), FY2026 | 2026-09-25 | ssa-mowl | 2026-11-12 |
| Initial claims approved (12 months) | 23,029 Estimate Sum of monthly Allowances (All Initial), FY2026 | 2026-09-25 | ssa-mowl | 2026-11-12 |
| Initial approval rate (12 months) | 33.5% Estimate dds.favorableDeterminations / dds.determinations x 100 (initial claims, FY2026) | 2026-09-25 | ssa-mowl | 2026-11-12 |
| Reconsideration approval rate (12 months) | 14.2% Estimate Sum of Allowances (All Recon) / Sum of Determinations (All Recon) x 100, FY2026 | 2026-09-25 | ssa-mowl | 2026-11-12 |
| Initial claims pending | 15,367 | 2026-09-25 | ssa-mowl | 2026-11-12 |
| Backlog estimate (months of work) | 2.7 months Estimate dds.pending / (dds.determinations / 12): months of backlog at the FY2026 pace. Not an official processing time. | 2026-09-25 | ssa-mowl | 2026-11-12 |
| State short-term disability or paid medical leave program | Yes | 2026-11-12 | dol-wb-paid-leave | 2026-11-12 |
| Program name | Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) | 2026-01-01 | nj-dol-2026-rates | 2026-11-12 |
| Maximum weekly benefit | $1,119 | 2026-01-01 | nj-dol-2026-rates | 2026-11-12 |
| Maximum duration | Up to 26 weeks | 2026-01-01 | poms-di-52135-165 | 2026-11-12 |
| Waiting period | Not verified | 2026-01-01 | nj-dol-2026-rates | 2026-11-12 |
| Payroll contribution | Not verified | 2026-01-01 | nj-dol-2026-rates | 2026-11-12 |
| Program website | https://www.nj.gov/labor/myleavebenefits/ | 2026-11-12 | nj-dol-2026-rates | 2026-11-12 |
| Medicaid buy-in for working people with disabilities | Yes | 2026-01-01 | kff-medicaid-buyin | 2026-11-12 |
| Buy-in income limit | No limit | 2026-01-01 | kff-medicaid-buyin | 2026-11-12 |
| Buy-in asset limit | No limit | 2026-01-01 | kff-medicaid-buyin | 2026-11-12 |
| Buy-in premiums | $203-$1,218 | 2026-01-01 | kff-medicaid-buyin | 2026-11-12 |
| Disability prevalence (Census ACS) | Not verified | 2024-12-31 | census-acs-s1810 | 2026-11-12 |
| FY2024 favorable determination rate, all claims | 38.37% | 2024-09-30 | ssa-fywl | 2026-11-12 |
| FY2024 adult favorable determination rate | 34.19% | 2024-09-30 | ssa-fywl | 2026-11-12 |
| FY2024 SSI child allowance rate | 60.55% | 2024-09-30 | ssa-fywl | 2026-11-12 |
| Share of adults 18-64 receiving SSA disability benefits (FY2024) | 3.9% | 2024-09-30 | ssa-fywl | 2026-11-12 |
Sourced facts
SSI (Supplemental Security Income)
- Federal SSI maximum, individual (monthly): $994 [1] Last verified 2026-11-12
- Federal SSI maximum, couple (monthly): $1,491 [2] Last verified 2026-11-12
- Who pays the state SSI supplement: Social Security pays it [3] Last verified 2026-11-12
- State supplement, Individual: All: Congregate care (state code A; federal living arrangement A: own household): $150.05 [4] Last verified 2026-11-12
- State supplement, Individual: All: Living alone or with others (state code B; federal living arrangement A: own household): $31.25 [5] Last verified 2026-11-12
- State supplement, Individual: Individual: Living alone with an ineligible spouse (state code C; federal living arrangement A: own household): $152.99 [6] Last verified 2026-11-12
- State supplement, Individual: All: Licensed residential health care facilities (RHCF) (state code I; federal living arrangement A: own household): $210.05 [7] Last verified 2026-11-12
- State supplement, Individual: All: Living in the household of another (state code D; federal living arrangement B: another person's household (federal rate reduced by one-third)): $44.31 [8] Last verified 2026-11-12
- State supplement, Individual: All: Living alone or with others (state code B; federal living arrangement C: parent's household (child)): $31.25 [9] Last verified 2026-11-12
- State supplement, Individual: All: Medicaid facility resident (state code G; federal living arrangement D: Medicaid facility (federal rate limited to $30 / $60)): $20 [10] Last verified 2026-11-12
- State supplement, Couple: All: Congregate care (state code A; federal living arrangement A: own household): $618.35 [11] Last verified 2026-11-12
- State supplement, Couple: All: Living alone or with others (state code B; federal living arrangement A: own household): $25.35 [12] Last verified 2026-11-12
- State supplement, Couple: All: Licensed residential health care facilities (RHCF) (state code I; federal living arrangement A: own household): $738.35 [13] Last verified 2026-11-12
- State supplement, Couple: All: Living in the household of another (state code D; federal living arrangement B: another person's household (federal rate reduced by one-third)): $93.08 [14] Last verified 2026-11-12
- State supplement, Couple: All: Medicaid facility resident (state code G; federal living arrangement D: Medicaid facility (federal rate limited to $30 / $60)): $40 [15] Last verified 2026-11-12
- State-administered supplement amounts: No state-administered supplement [16] Last verified 2026-11-12
- SSI recipients: 164,762 [17] Last verified 2026-11-12
- Average monthly SSI payment: $686.09 [18] Last verified 2026-11-12
- Recipients of SSA-paid state supplement: Not verified [19] Last verified 2026-11-12
- SSI recipients who are blind or disabled: 128,427 [20] Last verified 2026-11-12
- SSI recipients under age 18: 24,506 [21] Last verified 2026-11-12
- SSI recipients also receiving Social Security: 53,321 [22] Last verified 2026-11-12
SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance)
- SSDI disabled-worker beneficiaries: 156,810 [1] Last verified 2026-11-12
- Total monthly SSDI benefits to disabled workers: $285,097,000 [2] Last verified 2026-11-12
- Average monthly SSDI benefit (disabled workers): $1,818.10 Estimate ssdi.totalMonthlyBenefits / ssdi.disabledWorkerBeneficiaries[3] Last verified 2026-11-12
- Spouses and children receiving SSDI family benefits: 22,615 Estimate Table 2 Disability Spouses + Disability Children[4] Last verified 2026-11-12
Disability decisions, last 12 months
- Initial disability claims received (12 months): 70,118 Estimate Sum of monthly Receipts (All Initial), FY2026[1] Last verified 2026-11-12
- Initial disability decisions (12 months): 68,730 Estimate Sum of monthly Determinations (All Initial), FY2026[2] Last verified 2026-11-12
- Initial claims approved (12 months): 23,029 Estimate Sum of monthly Allowances (All Initial), FY2026[3] Last verified 2026-11-12
- Initial approval rate (12 months): 33.5% Estimate dds.favorableDeterminations / dds.determinations x 100 (initial claims, FY2026)[4] Last verified 2026-11-12
- Reconsideration approval rate (12 months): 14.2% Estimate Sum of Allowances (All Recon) / Sum of Determinations (All Recon) x 100, FY2026[5] Last verified 2026-11-12
- Initial claims pending: 15,367 [6] Last verified 2026-11-12
- Backlog estimate (months of work): 2.7 months Estimate dds.pending / (dds.determinations / 12): months of backlog at the FY2026 pace. Not an official processing time.[7] Last verified 2026-11-12
State short-term disability / paid medical leave
- State short-term disability or paid medical leave program: Yes [1] Last verified 2026-11-12
- Program name: Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) [2] Last verified 2026-11-12
- Maximum weekly benefit: $1,119 [3] Last verified 2026-11-12
- Maximum duration: Up to 26 weeks [4] Last verified 2026-11-12
- Waiting period: Not verified [5] Last verified 2026-11-12
- Payroll contribution: Not verified [6] Last verified 2026-11-12
- Program website: https://www.nj.gov/labor/myleavebenefits/ [7] Last verified 2026-11-12
Medicaid buy-in
Population
- Disability prevalence (Census ACS): Not verified [1] Last verified 2026-11-12
Disability decisions, fiscal year 2024
- FY2024 favorable determination rate, all claims: 38.37% [1] Last verified 2026-11-12
- FY2024 adult favorable determination rate: 34.19% [2] Last verified 2026-11-12
- FY2024 SSI child allowance rate: 60.55% [3] Last verified 2026-11-12
- Share of adults 18-64 receiving SSA disability benefits (FY2024): 3.9% [4] Last verified 2026-11-12
Conflicts and unverified data
Disability Determination Services agency: not verified. Not yet verified against the state DDS directory.
DDS website: not verified. Not yet verified against the state DDS directory.
Recipients of SSA-paid state supplement: not verified. Not yet mapped from the SSI Annual Statistical Report.
Waiting period: not verified. Not yet verified against the program agency.
Payroll contribution: not verified. Not yet verified against the program agency.
Disability prevalence (Census ACS): not verified. The Census data API now requires a key; not yet ingested.
Frequently asked questions
How much is SSI in New Jersey in 2026?
The federal SSI maximum is $994 per month for one person and $1,491 for a couple. New Jersey also pays a state supplement through Social Security for some living arrangements, listed in the table on this page. From January of next year the federal maximum rises to $1,029.
What is the average SSI payment in New Jersey?
In December of last year, 164,762 people in New Jersey received SSI, and the average federally administered payment was $686.09 per month.
What is the SSDI approval rate in New Jersey?
In federal fiscal year ending this September, New Jersey's disability determination agency approved 33.5% of the initial disability claims it decided and 14.2% of reconsiderations. These rates cover SSDI and SSI disability claims together.
How long does a disability decision take in New Jersey?
Social Security does not publish an average initial decision time by state. New Jersey had 15,367 initial claims pending, which at the recent pace is roughly 2.7 months months of work. Treat this as an estimate.
What is the average SSDI payment in New Jersey?
156,810 disabled workers in New Jersey received Social Security disability benefits, averaging about $1,818.10 per month in December of last year.
Does New Jersey have state short-term disability?
Yes. New Jersey has Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI), which pays up to $1,119 per week to eligible workers who cannot work because of their own serious health condition. Duration: Up to 26 weeks.
Can I keep Medicaid while working with a disability in New Jersey?
Yes. New Jersey has a Medicaid buy-in for working people with disabilities. Income limit: No limit.
How to apply
Review eligibility and apply directly through the responsible agency.