Resources to better understand how to manage your finances, including supportive programs and services available to individuals and families.
NJ Department of Human Services
The NJ Department of Human Services (DHS) has eight Divisions and a number of programs that offer a range of services and supports, including those related to individuals with disabilities. DHS manages programs for families with low income, food assistance, child care, healthcare, addiction support, mental health services, independent living supports, personal care services, and health insurance through NJ FamilyCare - Medicaid.
NJ Division of Disability Services
The NJ Division of Disability Services (DDS), which serves as a resource for all individuals with disabilities and their families, including those whose disability had its onset later in life as a result of injury or illness. DDS publishes The New Jersey Resources Directory (English/Spanish ) annually.
Among its primary services and supports are the following:
With NJ Achieving a Better Life Experience (NJ ABLE), qualified individuals with disabilities can save for disability related expenses in tax-advantaged savings accounts without losing eligibility for certain assistance programs like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid. NJ ABLE is administered by DDS.
If you are interested in creating an ABLE account in the state of NJ, you can do so through NJ ABLE. However, although the original 2014 law required individuals to open an account in their state of residency, this limitation was removed by Congress in 2015. This means that regardless of where you might live, and whether or not your state has decided to establish an ABLE program, you are free to enroll in any state's program provided the program is accepting out-of-state residents.
Administered by DDS, NJ WorkAbility offers people with disabilities the opportunity to receive full Medicaid coverage while working, regardless of income or assets.
As of February 1, 2024, enacted legislation (Senate Bill 3455 P.L. 2021, c 344) expanded eligibility for Workability to more individuals due to the removal of income caps, individual and family asset caps, and age restrictions. Although there is no longer an income cap, individuals on Workability whose income is over 250% of the Federal Poverty Level must pay monthly premiums.
The NJ Department of the Treasury (NJ Treasury) is responsible for the State's fiscal resources. The NJ Treasury composes and manages the State's budget, makes and collects the State's income, and distributes funds to operate the NJ government.
The NJ Treasury sponsored free access to NJ FinLit, an online education tool that explains the basics of personal finance.
NJ County Boards of Social Services
NJ County Boards of Social Services administer a variety of federal, state, and county programs that assist individuals and families to meet basic needs, protect health, and promote welfare and self-sufficiency. Programs administered by social services boards include:
The NJ Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (NJ SNAP) provides food assistance to families with low incomes to help them buy groceries through a benefits card accepted in most food retail stores and some farmers' markets.
Multiple programs assist with utilities like USF, LIHEAP, and NJ SHARES
Work First NJ is New Jersey's cash assistance program is called Work First New Jersey (WFNJ). It provides monthly cash, child care, job search and readiness, and short-term housing support for eligible New Jersey residents.
New Jersey law allows several gross Income Tax deductions that can be taken on state income tax returns.
US Social Security Administration
The US Social Security Administration (SSA) manages benefit programs like retirement, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), survivor benefits, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is administered by the SSA and is a Federal income supplement program funded by general tax revenues (not Social Security taxes):
Social Security Disability Insurance
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program is administered by the Social Security Administration, and it pays benefits to you and certain family members if you are "insured." This means that you worked long enough – and recently enough - and paid Social Security taxes on your earnings.
Lifeline Telephone Assistance Program
The Lifeline Telephone Assistance Program provides a discount on phone service for qualifying low-income consumers to ensure that all Americans have the opportunities and security that phone service brings, including being able to connect to jobs, family, and emergency services. Lifeline is part of the Universal Service Fund. The Lifeline program is available to eligible low-income consumers in every state, territory, commonwealth, and on Tribal lands. The Lifeline program is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC).
Federal law allows several gross Income Tax deductions that can be taken on Federal income tax returns.
The Family Resource Network is a comprehensive family-focused umbrella of organizations designed to meet the growing need for community-based programs and services to individuals and families with a variety of disabilities and chronic conditions.
NJ Work Incentives Network Support
The Family Resource Network's New Jersey Work Incentives Network Support (NJWINS) program assists Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) beneficiaries to start, continue, or increase work efforts while maintaining benefits for as long as they are needed.
Planned Lifetime Assistance of New Jersey (PLAN|NJ), a nonprofit organization, helps the families of people with disabilities plan for the care of the individual in the future.
Official Site of The State of New Jersey