Many individuals in our community have disabilities that keep them from working or, in the case of children, fully participating in their education. Social Security Disability benefits (SSD) and Supplemental Security Income benefits (SSI) may available to persons who suffer from physical or mental illnesses expected to last a year or more. This program is administered by the Social Security Administration.

Community Justice Center staff are experienced in SSD/I law and have assisted people with all kinds of disabilities in obtaining benefits. Staff have extensive experience with “invisible” impairments, especially those associated with traumatic brain injury, post traumatic stress disorder, and other cognitive or mental health issues. Those who have been denied benefits from the Social Security Administration are encouraged to contact the Community Justice Center to determine eligibility for our services, by calling 609.218.5120 or by completing and mailing our Referral Form.

The dangers facing our veterans who have been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan don't disappear once the troops return home. Because of multiple deployments, stigma associated with seeking treatment, and the nature of insurgent warfare, many veterans transitioning back to civilian life carry deep psychological and physical wounds. Army officials have just confirmed the "terrifying" news that last month, more soldiers have killed themselves than have died in combat. For more information, read Filling the Gap: New Jersey's New Voice for Veterans, by the Community Justice Center's Veterans Advocate Lisa A. Turowsky.

The CJC stands ready to provide advocacy before the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Social Security Administration to assist these wounded warriors in obtaining some measure of financial stability while they try to put their lives back together. This may mean representing individuals in disability proceedings, facilitating referrals to other service providers, serving as a clearinghouse for veterans, their families and service providers, or simply by keeping this issue front and center through our website and other media. No matter what our political beliefs are concerning the war, we can all come together to offer support to the men and women our country sent to fight a new kind of war, one that has left many of them hopeless, vulnerable -- but still proud.

Those who have been denied benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs, or think they may otherwise qualify for benefits, are encouraged to contact the Community Justice Center to determine eligibility for our services, by calling 609.218.5120 or by completing and mailing our Referral Form.

The Community Justice Center is happy to provide agencies and organizations with information and materials, referrals, and on-site workshops about the above issues. For more information on such programming, contact 609.218.5120.

**The CJC will provide the majority of its services to individuals whose income is at or below 175% of Federal Poverty Level. The CJC will also provide services to organizations and groups by conducting outreach to community entities and by providing information about benefits to which members of those groups may be entitled, such as disabled individuals and/or veterans, and by giving presentations concerning some of the key legislation, both state and federal, that impacts the legal rights of the population the CJC serves.