How Much Money Can You Get on Disability in New Jersey?
If you qualify for Social Security Disability benefits, your monthly payment will depend on which program. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has two distinct programs that provide monthly benefits to individuals suffering from a debilitating medical condition.
If you applied under the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program, you have probably worked and paid into Social Security for a number of years. Your monthly benefits will be determined by your income, length of employment, and the amount you paid into the system. On the other hand, if you applied for benefits through Supplemental Security Income (SSI), your maximum benefits are determined by the SSA. However, this amount could be lowered depending on your income and resources. SSI is a needs-based program, so the overall monthly payments are, on average, significantly lower than those paid through SSDI.
Qualifying for Social Security Disability benefits is never guaranteed. The process is both challenging and frustrating. Many initial applications are denied because they fail under the SSA’s strict scrutiny. If you want to increase your chances of obtaining the monthly benefits payments you and your family need, contact our New Jersey disability attorneys at Young, Marr, Mallis & Associates today. Call 215-639-5297 if you have any questions or wish to schedule an appointment.
Supplemental Security Income Monthly Benefits Payments in New Jersey
Supplement Security Income is a federal program that provides monthly income to people over 65 or who suffer from a qualifying disability. The program is needs-based, so applicants must also have limited income and resources. More specifically, an individual’s resources and assets cannot exceed $2,000 in value. For a married couple living together, this amount increases to $3,000. The SSA does exempt a person’s residence and will usually exempt one vehicle from this calculation.
In many cases, New Jersey will supplement your federal SSI benefits. The monthly payment you receive will be a combination of federal and state benefits. The amount you receive will be based on your income, resources, and living arrangements.
For 2021, the total amount a single individual could receive, including both federal and state benefits, is $825.25. If you live with a spouse that is not eligible to receive SSI, the monthly amount increases to $947.00.
If you live with another person who provides maintenance and support, the maximum combined monthly amount is $573.65.
Should you reside in a licensed residential healthcare facility, your total SSI benefits could equal $1,004.05. Individuals residing in a public hospital or Medicaid-approved long-term care facility could receive up to $50 a month.
The amount available to couples who both qualify is higher. If you are a couple, maintaining your own home, your monthly SSI payments are $1,216.36. Couples who live with another individual that also provides support will receive $887.10. If the couple resides in a licensed residential home, their SSI benefits are $1,929.36.
The figures above reflect the maximum amount of possible benefits. If you qualify but have other income and resources, your monthly benefits could be lowered.
Social Security Disability Income Payments in New Jersey
To qualify for SSDI benefits in New Jersey, you must not only have a qualifying disability, but you must also have earned enough work credits. While the number of credits depends on your age, most applicants must earn at least 20 credits over the previous ten years. You can earn four credits per year.
Because your FICA tax contributions fund SSDI, your monthly benefits will be based on your annual salary and the years you worked. For new applicants in New Jersey, the average monthly benefits are the most in the United States, with an average monthly payment of $1,587.02. Nonetheless, obtaining an approval is challenging. You can increase the probability that your application will be approved by retaining our Mount Laurel disability lawyers.
Cost of Living Increases in New Jersey
The purpose of the cost of living adjustments (COLA) was to ensure that the purchasing power of SSI recipients was not eroded by increasing inflation. In 1972, Congress enacted the COLA provision as part of the Social Security Amendments. The annual COLAs were enacted in 1975. Before the amendments, the only increase SSI recipients saw was when Congress enacted special legislation.
The Social Security Administration just announced the highest cost of living adjustment for Social Security benefits in more than a decade. Every year, SSI benefits are increased to reflect the increase in the cost of living expenses. In 2022, residents of New Jersey will receive a 5.9% increase in their SSI benefits.
Applying for SSI or SSDI in New Jersey
The Social Security Disability application process is challenging, whether you are applying for SSDI or SSI benefits. Meeting the financial obligations is only one part of the equation. You must demonstrate that you have a qualifying medical impairment that will last at least twelve months or is anticipated to end in your death.
Navigating the process can be difficult if you are familiar with the rules and procedures. Gathering the necessary medical evidence and documentation is almost impossible if you do not know what the SSA requires. Over half of all initial claims are denied, many for lack of sufficient medical documentation. By hiring our Marlton, NJ disability lawyers, you will ensure many common mistakes are avoided while our office compiles the most compelling medical evidence possible.
Our New Jersey Disability Lawyers Offer Free Consultations
Many New Jersey residents rely on the monthly disability benefits they receive to pay their mortgage, rent, and other expenses. As helpful as these benefits are, they are not guaranteed. The Social Security Administration does not make the process easy. At Young, Marr, Mallis & Associates, our Trenton disability attorneys have decades of experience navigating the challenging waters of the SSDI and SSI application process. Call 215-639-5297 to let us help you obtain the benefits you deserve.