Recently I've been getting my life together and I have been trying to obtain the 3 items listed above and this is my situation:
Passport: Needs state ID
State ID: Needs unexpired passport or social security card (non-copy)
Social Security Card: Needs unexpired passport or state ID
When I ask those that work at the post office, DMV, or social security office about my situation nobody has an answer. I understand I'm in this situation because of me and now I'm looking to see if the people of the internet can point me in the right direction.
This is a UK-based site, so I don't think we can help much.
Although, I did take a look on the New Jersey site and the USA.Gov site.
Neither of them mentioned the need for your state ID to renew a passport.
Perhaps it expired over 15 years ago? That might make a difference.
I would imagine your best bet is to contact Social Security office. Do you have your birth certificate, marriage certificate and expired passport. Also your tax forms should have your social security number on them. Do you have a driving license this should help to establish ID. Also your bank should have some of these details