State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling in New Jersey. Trained counselors go through your costs and choices with you, and they don't sell plans.
Income and Social Security
New Jersey SSI supplement
New Jersey adds a state payment to SSI, paid by Social Security in the same check. In 2026 it is $31.25 a month for one person living alone or with others and $25.35 for a couple.
Someone who lives with only a spouse who doesn't get SSI gets $152.99, and the amounts include New Jersey's Lifeline utility help.
How to apply in New Jersey
- Who runs it
- Social Security Administration
What you may get
| Monthly supplement, one person living on their own (January 2026) | $31.25 a month |
|---|---|
| Monthly supplement, couple living on their own (January 2026) | $25.35 a month |
| Monthly supplement, one person living only with a spouse who doesn't get SSI (January 2026) | $152.99 a month |
| Monthly supplement, one person in an assisted living residence or other congregate care home (January 2026) | $150.05 a month |
| Monthly supplement, one person in a licensed residential health care facility (January 2026) | $210.05 a month |
How New Jersey is different
Where New Jersey's rules differ from the federal rules for State SSI supplements.
- Paid in the same check as your SSI; you don't apply separately
Good to know
- You may get the state supplement even if your income is a little too high for federal SSI, as long as it is below the combined SSI and state amount
- Except for people in Medicaid nursing homes, the state supplement includes a Lifeline payment, New Jersey's utility help for older people and people with disabilities.
Free help
Free help with this in New Jersey
Division of Aging Services (DoAS)
Your local Area Agency on Aging can help with meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support and applying for benefits.
More help in New Jersey
State SSI supplement in another state
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
Sources
- Social Security Administration (POMS), SI 01415.058 Federally Administered Optional Supplementary Payment Programs for January 2026 (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Social Security Administration (POMS), SI 01401.001 General Information about State Supplementation (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
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