Many times, a hospital stay will indicate the beginning of or an ongoing part of a person's disability. The Case Management/Social Work Department at The Valley Hospital will help you to assess your abilities, educate you on what resources are available and provide guidance on how to access them.

The Disability Social History Project is an interesting website that provides people with disabilities the opportunity to participate in documenting their history and determine how to define themselves. It also features a history timeline and links to resources. 

Short-Term Disability 

Those with short-term disability may have been injured, undergone surgery or delivered a baby; however, they are expected to recover and return to work within a relatively short period of time. If you have a condition that has temporarily impaired your independent functioning, speak with your physician to see if you would benefit from rehabilitation (physical, occupational or speech and language).

The Valley Hospital’s Rehabilitation Medicine Department offers physical, occupational and speech-language therapy. 

If you need more intensive therapy post-hospitalization, you may be appropriate for care in a sub-acute rehabilitation facility or in a rehabilitation hospital.

New Jersey's Temporary Disability Insurance Program 
Provides temporary cash benefits to eligible disabled persons.

Employees should contact their human resources department to ask if their employer offers a private temporary disability plan. 

If you were unemployed and became unable to work due to injury or illness, you may be eligible for
Disability During Unemployment or NJ State Unemployment Insurance Benefits.

Long-Term Disability

Those with long-term disability are expected to be unable to return to work or be rehabilitated to another type of work for at least one year. Disability benefits are paid under two programs: the Social Security Disability Insurance program (SSDI) and the Supplemental Security Income* (SSI) Disability program.

The application process will review your work and medical history. To apply for long-term disability, you should call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213.

* Low-income persons over 65 who are not disabled may also be eligible for SSI.

National Resources

New Jersey Resources

Aging and Disability Resource Connection
Department of Health and Senior Services
Congregate Housing Services Program
Department of Human Services Disability Programs
Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund
Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Division of Medical Assistance & Health Services (Medicaid)
Division of Disability Services Resource Guide
Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)
Division of Disability Services
Division of Mental Health Services
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Disability Rights New Jersey
Assistive Technology Advocacy Center (ATAC)
Consumer Assistance Program (CAP)
Intake and Referral Services
Protection and Advocacy for Assistive Technology (PAAT)
Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS)
Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI)
Protection and Advocacy for Individual Rights (PAIR)
Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury (PATBI)
Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PADD)
Protection and Advocacy for Voter Access (PAVA)
Statewide Respite Care Program
Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) and SLMB Qualified Individual-1 (SLMB-QI-1)
Hearing Aid Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (HAAAD) Program
Lifeline (Utility assistance for eligible senior citizens and the disabled)
Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (PAAD)
Senior Gold Prescription Discount Program
AIDS Drug Distribution (ADDP) program
Bergen County Board of Social Services
Bergen County Division of Disability Services
Heightened Independence & Progress
In-Home Caregiver Education & Support Program
Key Services Guide to Older and Disabled Adults
Personal Assistance Services Program (PASP)
Post-Stroke & Disabled Adult Support Group
DIAL for Independent Living
Community Access Unlimited

Durable Medical Equipment/Assistance Devices

Amputees

S.H.A.G. (Self Help Amputee Group)
Rich McAllister: 973-941-4653

Brain Injury

Hearing and/or Vision Impairment

HIV/AIDS

Women