COSAC Government Watch • Government Agencies

Government Agencies

COSAC’s advocacy activities include monitoring and providing feedback to state and federal legislatures and public administrations on policies that affect
services and supports for individuals with disabilities and their families. Following is list of relevant public agencies and service systems
and their contact information. For more detailed information, please contact each agency or visit its website.


Federal Government

Center For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), formerly known as the Health Care Financing
Administration (HCFA), is the agency that governs both Medicare and Medicaid at the federal level.

Medicare

Tel: 800-MEDICARE (633-4227) TDD: 877- 486-2048
Website: www.medicare.gov
Medicare is a health insurance program, administered by CMS, for people 65 years of age or older, certain
younger people with disabilities, and people with end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

Medicare coverage is divided into two types: Part A and Part B. Part A helps pay for care in hospitals,
skilled nursing facilities, and hospice care. Part B helps pay for doctors, outpatient hospital care,
and certain other services not covered under Part A. Please direct specific questions to your carrier.

Medicaid

Tel: 800-356-1561 TDD: 800-356-1561
Website: www.cms.hhs.gov/medicaid
Medicaid is a federal program that provides medical and health care to the aged, blind, and disabled.
In addition, Medicaid pays for long-term care for many people, including adults with disabilities who receive
residential services from the NJ Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD). The NJ Medicaid program is administered
by the NJ Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services and covers services for individuals who meet eligibility
standards.

Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
26 Federal Plaza Room, 38th floor
New York, NY 10278
Tel: 212-616-2300
Fax: 212-264-2665
Website: http://hhs.gov


Medicaid Assistance Customer Centers

Atlantic/Cape May/Cumberland Counties

Tel: 856-690-5208

Bergen/Passaic Counties
Tel: 973-977-4077

Burlington/Mercer Counties
Tel: 856-787-3855

Camden/Gloucester/Salem Counties
Tel: 856-614-2870

Essex County
Tel: 973-648-3700

Hudson County
Tel: 201-217-7100

Middlesex/Union Counties
Tel: 732-499-5700

Monmouth County

Tel: 732-761-3600

Morris/Sussex/Warren/Hunterdon/Somerset Counties
Tel: 973-631-6440

Ocean County
Tel: 732-255-0731


Medicaid Home and Community-Based Waivers

Medicaid provides unique services to persons with a variety of disabilities through home
and community-based waiver programs. These include the Community Resources for Persons with
Disabilities Waiver (CRPD) for people with severe medical conditions, the AIDS Community
Care Alternatives Program (ACCAP), and the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Waiver for persons
aged 18 to 65 years with an acquired brain injury. Contact the Division of Disability Services
for information on services and eligibility requirements.

NJ Family Care

NJ Family Care is a special program for people who are not eligible for the traditional Medicaid
program, but who cannot afford needed health care. To qualify, a person must meet the disability
definition of the Social Security Administration and fall within specific income limits.
Applications are made through the county board of Social Services.
NJ Family Care: 800-701-0710


Federal Financial Assistance

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

SSI is a federal program established for the aged and people with disabilities. The program
provides a monthly stipend. The federal government administers SSI through the Social Security
Administration. People older than 65 years of age and people with disabilities, including
children, may be eligible for SSI payments and will automatically receive NJ Medicaid. Application
is made through any Social Security office. Parents or guardians may apply on behalf of children
younger than age 18.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

The SSDI program pays benefits to disabled workers and their families. To be eligible for SSDI,
you must be disabled and must have earned a minimum number of credits from work covered under Social
Security. The required number of credits varies depending on your age at the time you became disabled.

Social Security Administration
800-772-1213 TDD: 800-325-0778
Website: www.ssa.gov 


State Government Resources

Federally mandated state agencies

New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities
The New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities is New Jersey’s planning body for developmental disabilities. Members
are appointed by the governor and approved by the New Jersey Senate. Members include people with developmental
disabilities and parents or guardians; non-governmental service providers; and representatives from state agencies
that provide services to people with developmental disabilities and their families. The Council develops and monitors
the State Plan for Services to People with Developmental Disabilities, administers the federally assisted Basic State
Grant Program, and publishes People With Disabilities and Families magazines.

PO Box 700
Trenton, NJ 08625-0700
Tel: 800-216-1199 (toll free) or 609-292-3745
TDD: 609-777-3238

Fax: 609-292-7114
Website: www.njddc.org

New Jersey Protection and Advocacy, Inc. (NJP&A)

NJP&A is a nonprofit consumer-directed organization that serves as New Jersey’s federally funded protection
and advocacy system for persons with disabilities. The program was established to protect and advocate for the rights
of citizens with disabilities in the areas of guardianship, habilitation, medical treatment, education, employment,
protection from harm, transportation, and other civil rights. It provides legal services and responds to complaints from
individuals and their families, as well as from community groups. It also provides training for people with disabilities
and their families to help them advocate for themselves. In 1997, NJP&A assumed administration of the federally funded
New Jersey Technology Assistive Resource Program (TARP), now known as the Assistive Technology Advocacy Center (ATAC), which
works to make assistive devices and services more accessible to consumers.

210 South Broad Street, 3rd floor
Trenton, NJ 08608
Tel: 800-922-7233 (toll free) or 609-292-9742
TDD: 609-633-7106
Fax: 609-777-0187
Website: www.njpanda.org

Elizabeth M. Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities

“A university center for excellence in Developmental disabilities education, research, and service.”

The Elizabeth M. Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School,
valuing the diversity and worth of all people, promotes the full membership and contribution of children
and their families in all aspects of community life. Through partnerships and collaborations, The Boggs
Center fulfills this mission in a culturally competent manner by providing community training and technical
assistance, interdisciplinary pre-service preparation of students and fellows, and dissemination of
information, research findings, and educational materials.

335 George St. 3rd floor, PO Box 2688
New Brunswick, NJ 08903-2688
Tel: 732-235-9300
Fax: 732-235-9330

Website: http://rwjms.umdnj.edu/boggscenter


State Agencies

Department of Human Services (DHS)

The largest department in New Jersey state government, DHS provides support services for people with disabilities
and their families, as well as programs for mental health consumers, protective services for children, the New
Jersey Medicaid program, food stamps, child care, financial assistance, and adoption.

PO Box 700
Trenton, NJ 08625-0700
Tel: 609-292-3717
Fax: 609-292-3824
Website: www.state.nj.us/humanservices

Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)

DDD arranges and coordinates needed services to eligible New Jersey residents who have developmental disabilities.
DDD’s mission is to assist people with developmental disabilities to live as independently as possible. DDD serves
individuals who live at home with their families, as well as individuals who are in living arrangements funded and
licensed by DDD. These arrangements are operated by either private agencies or individuals under contract with DDD.
DDD also operates seven developmental centers statewide.

A developmental disability is defined as a disability that begins during the developmental years (before age 22) and
creates lifelong conditions affecting an individual’s ability to live without some assistance. Developmental disabilities
substantially limit the individual in at least three of the following areas: self-care, learning, mobility, communication,
self-direction, economic self-sufficiency, and the ability to live independently.

Among the services DDD provides are case management, guardianship, assistance to parents in becoming legal guardians of
their adult children, family support, residential services, day programs, and supported employment services. Most of these
services are provided through contracts with private organizations or individual contractors.

DDD Central Office
PO Box 726
Trenton, NJ 08625-0726

Tel: 800-832-9173 (toll free) or 609-987-0800
Fax: 609-987-2070
Website: www.state.nj.us/humanservices/ddd

DDD Regional Offices
Sussex, Warren, and Morris Counties
DDD Northern Region
1B Laurel Drive

Flanders, NJ 07836
Tel: 973-927-2600
Fax: 973-927-2689

Bergen, Passaic, and Hudson Counties
100 Hamilton Plaza, 7th Floor
Paterson, NJ 07505
Tel: 973-977-4004
Fax: 973-279-5069

Somerset and Union Counties
DDD Upper Central Region
59 Main Street
West Orange, NJ 07052
Tel: 973-324-2000
Fax: 973-324-2022

Essex County
153 Halsey Street, 2nd Floor, PO Box 47013

Newark, NJ 07101
Tel: 973-693-5080
Fax: 973-648-3999

Mercer, Middlesex, and Hunterdon Counties
DDD Lower Central Region
32 Hanover St.
P.O. Box 706
Trenton, NJ 08625-0700
Tel: 609-292-4500
Fax: 609-292-4219

Ocean and Monmouth Counties
Juniper Plaza, Suite 1-J, 3499 Route 9 North.
Freehold, NJ 07728
Tel: 732-863-4500
Fax: 732-863-4406

Burlington and Camden and Gloucester Counties

DDD Southern Region
221 Laurel Rd, Suite 210
Voorhees, Nj 08043
Tel: 856-770-5900

Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland and Salem Counties
5218 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 205
Mays Landing, NJ 08330
Tel: 609-561-5070

Fax: 609-561-1895

Division of Disability Services (DDS)
Office of Information and Assistance Services

“The first place to call for disability-related information.”

DDS is a single point of entry for all individuals seeking disability-related information in New Jersey.
DDS promotes and facilitates the maximum independence and participation of people with disabilities in
community life through information and access to services and supports. DDS also fosters coordination
and cooperation among government agencies.

Following is contact information for a Certified Information Specialist.

P.O. Box 700
Trenton, NJ 08625-0700
Tel: 888-285-3036 (toll free) or 609-292-7800
Fax: 609-292-1233
Website: www.state.nj.us/humanservices/dds

Department of Education (DOE)

DOE is responsible for overseeing more than 600 school districts and administering education programs to more than
1.4 million public and non-public elementary and secondary school children.

PO Box 500
Trenton, NJ 08625-0500
Tel: 609-292-4450
Fax: 609-777-4099
Website: www.state.nj.us/education

Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)

OSEP, within the Division of Student Services, has oversight responsibilities for the provision of education
and related support services to students aged 3 to 21 with disabilities.
PO Box 500
Trenton, NJ 08625-0500
Tel: 609-292-0147
Fax: 609-984-8422
Website: www.nj.gov/njded/specialed

Department of Labor & Workforce Development (DLWD)

DLWD promotes economic activity, monitors labor standards, and administers
federally funded programs, such as workers compensation, disability insurance,
and unemployment compensation.

PO Box 110, Trenton, NJ 08625-0110
Tel: 609-292-2323
Fax: 609-633-9271
Website: www.state.nj.us/labor

Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS)

DVRS is responsible for training and placement of persons of employable age with disabilities.  The mission
of the New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services is to enable individuals with disabilities to
achieve employment outcomes consistent with their strengths, priorities, needs, abilities and capabilities. The
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services is here to help individuals with disabilities that are having trouble
finding or holding a job because of their disability. If you have a disability that is preventing you from working,
or which is endangering your present employment, you may wish to submit a referral for services.

PO Box 398, Trenton, NJ 08625-0398
Tel: 609-292-5987
Fax: 609-292-8347
Website: www.state.nj.us/labor/dvrs/vrsindex.html



DVRS – Central Office

135 East State Street
PO Box 398
Trenton, NJ 08625-0398
609-292-5978

DVRS – Atlantic County
1125 Atlantic Avenue, 5th Floor
Atlantic City, NJ 08401
609-441-3080

DVRS – Bergen County
60 State Street, 2nd Floor
Hackensack, NJ 07601-5471
201-996-8970

DVRS – Burlington County
795 Woodland Road
Westampton, NJ 08060
609-518-3948


DVRS – Camden County

2600 Mt. Ephraim Avenue
Camden, NJ 08104-3290
856-614-2500

DVRS – Cape May County
3810 New Jersey Avenue
Wildwood, NJ 08260-1995
609-523-0330

DVRS – Cumberland & Salem Counties
40 East Broad Street, Suite 204
Bridgeton, NJ 08302-2881
856-453-3888
 
DVRS – Essex County
990 Broad Street, 2nd Floor
Newark, NJ 07102

973-648-3494

DVRS – Gloucester County
215 Crown Point Road, Suite 200
Thorofare, NJ 08086
856-384-3730
 
DVRS – Hudson County

438 Summit Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07306

201-217-7180
 
DVRS – Mercer County

Labor Station Plaza
28 Yard Avenue, PO Box 959
Trenton, NJ 08625-0959
609-292-2940
 
DVRS – Middlesex County
506 Jersey Avenue, PO Box 2672

New Brunswick, NJ 08901
732-937-6300

DVRS – Monmouth County

60 Taylor Avenue
Neptune, NJ 07753
732-775-1799
 
DVRS – Morris County
7 Sussex Avenue, 2nd Floor

Morristown, NJ 07960
973-631-6304
 
DVRS – Ocean County

1510 Hooper Avenue, Suite 120
Toms River, NJ 08753-2225
732-255-0836
 
DVRS – Passaic County

370 Broadway

Paterson, NJ 07501-2195
973-977-4285

DVRS – Somerset & Hunterdon Counties
75 Veterans Memorial Drive, Suite 101
Somerville, NJ 08876-2952
908-704-3030

DVRS – Sussex & Warren Counties

223 Stiger Street, Suite A
Hackettstown, NJ 07540-1217
908-852-4110

DVRS – Union County
65 Jefferson Avenue, 4th Floor
Elizabeth, NJ 07201-2306
908-820-3112

Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS)
DHSS is responsible for overseeing and inspecting the state’s health care facilities, city and county health
departments, and community health services, in addition to protecting the public health. In 1996, DHSS added
programs for senior citizens to its jurisdiction.
PO Box 360
Trenton, NJ 08625
Tel: 800-367-6543 (toll free) or 609-292-7837
Fax: 609-292-0053
Website: www.state.nj.us/health


Early Intervention Services

Early intervention services are provided through DHSS and receive state and federal funds through Part C of
the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Services are available in every county to children from birth
to three years of age. The ultimate goal is for children to maximize their potential to lead full, productive
lives with their families and within their own communities.

Eligibility

Each child’s eligibility is determined by a multidisciplinary team, which includes the child’s parents. If
the child is not eligible for early intervention, recommendations may be made for referral to other appropriate
resources. If the child is eligible, as determined by a medical diagnosis or developmental evaluation, the
team will develop an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) to meet the needs of the child and the family.

Criteria

  • Developmental delay of 25% in two or more developmental areas (cognitive; physical, including gross motor,
    fine motor, vision and hearing; communication, social/emotional or adaptive); or
  • Developmental delay of 33% in one developmental area; or
  • A medically diagnosed physical or mental condition that has a high probability of resulting in developmental
    delay.

Early Intervention System

PO Box 364
Trenton, NJ 08625-0364
Tel: 609-777-7734
Fax: 609-292-0296
Website: www.state.nj.us/health/fhs/eis/index.shtml