SSI vs. SSDI vs. TANF vs. General Assistance in NJ
SSI, SSDI, TANF, and General Assistance: What Is the Difference?
SSI, SSDI, TANF, and General Assistance can all provide monthly cash benefits, but they are very different programs.
SSI and SSDI are federal programs administered by the Social Security Administration. Both can provide benefits based on disability, although SSI can also serve certain people age 65 or older who do not have a disability.
TANF and General Assistance are need-based cash-assistance programs available through Work First New Jersey. TANF generally serves families with dependent children, while General Assistance generally serves single adults and couples without dependent children.
The easiest way to understand the difference is to look at what each program is designed to do.
SSI, SSDI, TANF, and General Assistance at a Glance
| Program | Who It Generally Serves | Is Disability Required? | Is Financial Need Considered? | Is Work History Required? | Where Do You Apply? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SSI | People with limited income and resources who are disabled, blind, or age 65 or older | Usually, unless age 65 or older | Yes | No | Social Security Administration |
| SSDI | People with a qualifying disability and enough Social Security work history | Yes | Not based on financial need | Yes | Social Security Administration |
| WFNJ/TANF | Eligible families with dependent children | No | Yes | No | MyNJHelps or County Social Service Agency |
| General Assistance | Eligible single adults and couples without dependent children | No | Yes | No | MyNJHelps or County Social Service Agency |
What Is SSI?
Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, is a federal program administered by the Social Security Administration.
SSI provides monthly payments to people who have limited income and resources and who:
- Have a qualifying disability
- Are blind
- Are age 65 or older
Children with qualifying disabilities may also receive SSI.
Unlike SSDI, you do not need a long work history or Social Security work credits to qualify for SSI.
SSI is a needs-based program, which means Social Security looks at your income and certain resources.
For 2026, the federal SSI resource limits are generally:
| Applicant | SSI Resource Limit |
|---|---|
| Individual | $2,000 |
| Couple | $3,000 |
Not everything you own counts toward this limit. For example, Social Security generally does not count the home you live in and may exclude one vehicle used for transportation.
What Is SSDI?
Social Security Disability Insurance, or SSDI, is also a federal program administered by the Social Security Administration.
SSDI is designed for people who have a qualifying disability and have worked long enough in jobs covered by Social Security.
Eligibility generally depends on two major questions:
- Do you meet Social Security's definition of disability?
- Have you earned enough Social Security work credits?
Social Security generally requires a medical condition that prevents substantial work and has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 months or result in death.
Unlike SSI, SSDI is not a needs-based program.
Your savings, bank balance, or other resources do not disqualify you from SSDI in the way they can affect SSI.
Your SSDI payment is based mainly on your Social Security earnings record.
SSI vs. SSDI
SSI and SSDI are often confused because both are administered by Social Security and both may provide benefits to people with disabilities.
The major difference is how you qualify financially.
SSI
SSI is based on financial need.
You generally need:
- Limited income
- Limited resources
- A qualifying disability or blindness, unless you qualify based on being age 65 or older
Previous employment is not required.
SSDI
SSDI is based largely on your work history.
You generally need:
- A qualifying disability
- Enough recent Social Security-covered work
There is no SSI-style resource limit.
Simple way to remember it: SSI asks, in part, about your financial need. SSDI asks whether you have a qualifying disability and enough Social Security work history.
What Is WFNJ/TANF?
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF, is different from SSI and SSDI.
In New Jersey, TANF is provided through Work First New Jersey, or WFNJ.
WFNJ/TANF generally provides temporary cash assistance to eligible families with dependent children.
You do not need to have a disability to qualify.
Instead, the county considers factors such as:
- Household composition
- Dependent children
- Income
- Resources
- Citizenship or qualifying immigration status
- Child-support requirements
- Work requirements
WFNJ generally limits countable resources to $2,000.
TANF may also provide support services such as:
- Child care
- Transportation
- Job search and job readiness
- Education and training
- Work-related expenses
- Certain emergency housing assistance
TANF is generally subject to a 60-month lifetime limit for adult cash-assistance recipients.
What Is General Assistance?
General Assistance, or GA, is the other major cash-assistance program under Work First New Jersey.
It generally serves eligible:
- Single adults without dependent children
- Couples without dependent children
Like TANF, General Assistance is based on financial need rather than disability or Social Security work history.
You do not have to be disabled to qualify.
However, disability or another medical condition can still matter. A GA applicant who cannot work because of a qualifying physical or mental condition may be treated differently under WFNJ work rules.
GA recipients who are able to work generally participate in employment or approved work activities.
General Assistance may also connect recipients with:
- Job-search assistance
- Job training
- Education
- Transportation
- Work-related expenses
- Certain emergency housing assistance
TANF vs. General Assistance
The easiest distinction is household type.
| If Your Household Looks Like This... | Program to Look At First |
|---|---|
| Family with dependent children | WFNJ/TANF |
| Single adult without dependent children | General Assistance |
| Couple without dependent children | General Assistance |
Both programs still have financial and other eligibility requirements.
You do not need to decide perfectly before applying. Work First New Jersey uses the same application system, and your County Social Service Agency determines which program applies to your household.
Which Programs Require a Disability?
This is one of the most important differences.
SSDI: A qualifying disability is required.
SSI: A qualifying disability or blindness is generally required for people younger than 65. People age 65 or older may qualify for SSI without a disability if they meet the other requirements.
TANF: Disability is not required.
General Assistance: Disability is not required.
A disability may affect WFNJ work requirements, but it is not the basic reason someone qualifies for TANF or GA.
Which Programs Are Based on Financial Need?
SSI, TANF, and General Assistance all consider financial circumstances.
However, they are not the same kind of program.
SSI is a federal needs-based program connected to disability, blindness, or age.
TANF and GA are Work First New Jersey cash-assistance programs designed to help eligible households with limited income and resources meet basic needs while receiving employment and other support when appropriate.
SSDI is different because eligibility is based primarily on disability and Social Security work history rather than financial need.
Can You Receive SSI and SSDI at the Same Time?
Sometimes.
A person may qualify for SSDI based on work history but receive a relatively small monthly SSDI payment.
If the person also meets SSI's income, resource, disability, and other rules, they may qualify for both programs at the same time. These are sometimes called concurrent benefits.
Social Security makes the eligibility decision for both programs.
Can Someone Receiving SSI or SSDI Also Apply for TANF or GA?
Possibly.
Receiving Social Security benefits does not automatically answer whether an entire household qualifies for Work First New Jersey.
However, SSI, SSDI, and other Social Security income must be reported when applying for WFNJ. That income can affect whether the household qualifies and how much cash assistance it may receive.
For example, a family with dependent children may still apply for TANF even if someone in the household receives a Social Security benefit.
Because the rules can depend on who receives the benefit and who is included in the WFNJ household, allow the County Social Service Agency to make the determination rather than assuming you cannot apply.
Where Do You Apply?
For SSI or SSDI
Apply through the Social Security Administration.
Social Security handles both federal programs, even for applicants who live in New Jersey.
New Jersey's Disability Determination Services may help Social Security make the medical disability determination, but the application itself is a Social Security application.
For TANF or General Assistance
Apply through Work First New Jersey.
You can apply through MyNJHelps or contact the County Social Service Agency serving the county where you live.
Which Program Should You Look Into?
Use this as a starting point:
You have a disability and limited income and resources: Look into SSI.
You have a disability and have worked long enough under Social Security: Look into SSDI.
You have dependent children and your family needs temporary cash assistance: Look into WFNJ/TANF.
You are a single adult or couple without dependent children and need temporary cash assistance: Look into General Assistance.
You may fit more than one category.
Because SSI, SSDI, and WFNJ are separate programs, qualifying for or applying to one does not automatically submit an application for the others.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SSI the same as SSDI?
No. SSI is based on limited income and resources and does not require a work history. SSDI requires a qualifying disability and sufficient Social Security work history.
Is TANF a disability program?
No. TANF is a need-based cash-assistance program for eligible families with dependent children.
Do I need a disability to receive General Assistance?
No. GA serves eligible single adults and couples without dependent children. A disability may affect work requirements, but it is not required for every applicant.
Does SSDI have an asset limit?
No SSI-style asset or resource limit applies to SSDI. SSDI eligibility is based primarily on disability and Social Security work history.
Can I apply for SSI and TANF at the same time?
They are separate programs with separate applications. Depending on your household circumstances, you may apply for both, but income from one program can affect eligibility or the amount received from another program.
Who decides whether I qualify?
The Social Security Administration decides SSI and SSDI eligibility. Your County Social Service Agency determines eligibility for Work First New Jersey TANF and General Assistance.