Benefits for the Developmentally Disabled

One of the miracles of life is that so many of us are born completely functional and healthy – so many of us, in fact, that we take it for granted. But for some, full functionality is a gift that they will never receive.

Many children are born with disabilities. Some develop a disability early in life. For them, providing for basic human needs may either be impossible or extremely difficult, depending upon the severity of their disability.

In New Jersey, the Division of Developmental Disability, or DDD – a division of the Department of Human Services – offers assistance to individuals who develop a disability before the age of twenty-two. A “developmental disability” is defined as a condition that affects a person’s ability to live without some assistance. Examples of developmental disabilities include mental retardation, cerebral palsy, autism, epilepsy, spina bifida, and neurological impairments.

In order to be considered a disability, the condition must limit the child’s abilities in at least three of the following areas: self-care, learning, mobility, communication, self-direction, economic self-sufficiency, or the ability to live independently. Although the child must have developed the condition before the age of twenty-two, application to DDD does not have to be made before that age in order to qualify for benefits.

For the individual with the developmental condition, some of the issues of greatest concern are housing needs, the development of job skills, job placement, and social interaction. For the parent of the individual, in addition to the concerns of the individual, there are questions regarding the parents’ decision-making authority for the child once the child obtains the age of legal majority, or 18. If a court has not declared the child mentally incapacitated and if the child is age 18 or older – there may be no one with the ability to make financial or health related decisions for the child, if he or she is incapable of making those decisions.

In addition to federal welfare program, such as Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, and Medicaid, which is a health insurance program, the Division of Developmental Disability can offer assistance with many of the child’s and parents’ concerns. Unlike the federal programs, however, DDD is not a welfare program, as eligibility for the program is based upon the nature and date of onset of the disability, not financial status. However, many of the individuals enrolled in the DDD program receive a mixture of government benefits, which might include SSI and Medicaid.

If a person qualifies for DDD services, the following benefits are available: residential services (supervised group housing; financial aid to buy a home), family support services (respite care for caregivers who require time off; recreational programs, camps; specialized equipment; or training with care giving), day program services (skill development and exploration of personal interests; employment at sheltered workshops), and supported employment programs (working with a job coach, working with a support group, volunteer work, or job sampling). These services not only provide necessary support to the individual but are designed to build feelings of self-support and self-worth.

For the parents, in addition to the services outlined above, DDD often offers financial assistance to obtain a guardianship of a child in need of a decision-maker. If the child is unable to make financial and health related decisions and is 18 years old or older, a guardianship will permit the parent to continue to make these important decisions for the child.

DDD has its headquarters in Trenton. They can be reached at 609-292-3742.