New Jersey operates one of the most generous hospital financial assistance programs in the country. The New Jersey Hospital Care Payment Assistance Program, commonly called Charity Care, requires every acute care hospital in the state to reduce or eliminate bills for patients who cannot afford to pay. As of 2026, patients with household incomes at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) qualify for completely free care, and those earning between 200% and 300% FPL pay only a sliding-scale fraction of their bill.
If you received hospital care in New Jersey and are struggling with the bill, you may owe far less than the statement shows. The CoveredUSA Bill Analyzer compares your hospital charges against Medicare benchmark rates and flags overcharges, unbundled fees, and charity care eligibility in about 30 seconds.
Quick Answer: New Jersey Charity Care wipes out hospital bills for patients earning up to 200% FPL (up to $66,000 for a family of four in 2026). Patients earning 200-300% FPL pay a sliding scale of 20%-80%. Apply at the hospital's business office within one year of your service date.
Who Qualifies for New Jersey Charity Care in 2026
New Jersey Charity Care applies to patients who received care at an acute care hospital in New Jersey and meet three conditions as of 2026:
- New Jersey residency at the time of the service
- Income below 300% FPL (or above 300% FPL if medical expenses exceed 30% of gross annual income)
- No full insurance coverage, either uninsured, or insured but with a balance remaining after your plan pays
The program does not require you to be a US citizen. Undocumented residents who meet income and residency criteria qualify. New Jersey hospitals are legally required under the Charity Care Act (N.J.A.C. 10:52, Subchapter 11) to screen every patient for eligibility before billing them the full rate.
Income Limits by Household Size: New Jersey Charity Care 2026
The table below shows the 2026 income cutoffs for free care (0% patient share) and the upper limit for partial assistance.
New Jersey Charity Care Income Limits, 2026
| Household Size | 200% FPL (Free Care Limit) | 300% FPL (Partial Assistance Limit) |
|---|
| 1 | $31,920 | $47,880 |
| 2 | $43,280 | $64,920 |
| 3 | $54,640 | $81,960 |
| 4 | $66,000 | $99,000 |
| 5 | $77,360 | $116,040 |
| 6 | $88,720 | $133,080 |
| 7 | $100,080 | $150,120 |
| 8 | $111,440 | $167,160 |
| Each additional | +$11,360 | +$17,040 |
Source: 2026 HHS Federal Poverty Guidelines, applied to NJ Charity Care thresholds per NJ Department of Health.
Income is measured as annual gross household income. If you earn above 300% FPL but your out-of-pocket medical costs exceed 30% of your family's gross annual income, the portion above that 30% threshold may still qualify for Charity Care coverage.
Sliding-Scale Cost Sharing Between 200% and 300% FPL
New Jersey Charity Care uses a five-band sliding scale for patients whose income falls between 200% and 300% FPL in 2026:
| Income Band (FPL) | Patient Pays |
|---|
| Up to 200% | 0% (free) |
| 201% to 225% | 20% of the bill |
| 226% to 250% | 40% of the bill |
| 251% to 275% | 60% of the bill |
| 276% to 300% | 80% of the bill |
| Above 300% | 100% (no assistance, unless medical hardship rule applies) |
Source: NJ Department of Health, Charity Care Overview
Asset Limits
New Jersey Charity Care also applies an asset test in 2026:
- Individual: assets cannot exceed $7,500
- Family: assets cannot exceed $15,000
Assets typically include checking and savings accounts, stocks, and cash on hand. Primary residence, one vehicle, and retirement accounts are generally excluded. If your assets are above these limits, you can "spend down" the excess by applying the overage directly toward your hospital bill or other out-of-pocket medical expenses. Once your countable assets fall to or below the limit, you become eligible.
What New Jersey Charity Care Covers
New Jersey Charity Care applies to inpatient and outpatient services at licensed acute care hospitals in New Jersey. Covered services include:
- Emergency room visits and inpatient hospitalization
- Surgery and related facility fees
- Diagnostic tests ordered during a hospital stay or outpatient visit
- Maternity and newborn care at a qualifying hospital
- Chemotherapy and radiation therapy administered at the hospital
Charity Care does not cover physician fees billed separately by doctors or specialists who are not employed by the hospital. It also does not apply to services received at standalone urgent care centers, physician offices, or dental clinics that are not part of a licensed acute care hospital.
NJ FamilyCare (New Jersey's Medicaid program) may cover some of those gaps. If you think you might qualify for NJ FamilyCare based on your income (adults up to 138% FPL qualify), apply at njfamilycare.dhs.state.nj.us or call 1-800-701-0710.
How to Apply for New Jersey Charity Care
New Jersey hospitals are required to notify patients about Charity Care and offer an application at the time of service and again when a bill is sent. If no one mentioned it, ask. You have up to one year from the date of service to submit an application.
Enrollment window: Applications are accepted year-round. There is no open enrollment period. Apply as soon as you receive a bill.
Step-by-Step Application Process
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Contact the hospital's business office (sometimes called Patient Financial Services or Patient Accounts). Ask specifically for the Charity Care application. This can be done in person, by phone, or online if the hospital has a patient portal.
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Complete the application form. The form asks for household size, gross annual income from all sources, and a summary of assets.
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Gather supporting documents (list below). The hospital will tell you exactly what they need, but having these ready speeds up the review.
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Submit the application and documents to the business office. Request a receipt or confirmation number.
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Wait for the determination. New Jersey law requires hospitals to complete eligibility determinations within 10 business days of receiving a complete application.
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Request retroactive adjustment if approved. If the bill was already sent to collections, provide your approval letter to the collection agency. New Jersey hospitals must recall accounts from collections upon Charity Care approval.
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Appeal if denied. Hospitals must provide a written denial with a reason. You can appeal to the hospital directly or contact the NJ Department of Health at 1-866-588-5696.
Documents You Will Need
- Government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, or passport)
- Proof of New Jersey residency (utility bill, lease agreement, or official mail dated within 90 days)
- Proof of income: most recent federal tax return, OR pay stubs for the last 30 days, OR a signed self-attestation if you have no income
- Bank statements from the last 30 days (for all checking and savings accounts)
- Social Security numbers for all household members (or signed statement if unavailable)
- Current insurance card or denial letter if you have or recently had coverage
Common Reasons Applications Get Denied
- Missing documentation: The application was incomplete when submitted. Resubmit with all required documents.
- Income above 300% FPL without a hardship exception: If you earn above the threshold and your medical bills are less than 30% of your gross income, standard Charity Care does not apply.
- Assets above the limit and not spent down: If your countable assets exceeded $7,500 (individual) or $15,000 (family) and you did not document spend-down payments, you may be ineligible.
- Application submitted more than one year after service: The one-year deadline is strict. Submit before the anniversary of your service date.
- Not a New Jersey hospital: Charity Care applies only to licensed NJ acute care hospitals. Services outside New Jersey or at non-acute facilities do not qualify.
New Jersey Charity Care vs. NJ FamilyCare
Hospitals must screen you for NJ FamilyCare before approving Charity Care. If you qualify for NJ FamilyCare (New Jersey's Medicaid program), you should enroll there first because NJ FamilyCare covers ongoing care, not just one bill.
| Feature | NJ Charity Care | NJ FamilyCare (Medicaid) |
|---|
| What it covers | Hospital bills only | Medical, dental, prescriptions, ongoing care |
| Income limit | Up to 300% FPL (sliding scale) | Adults up to 138% FPL; children up to 355% FPL |
| Asset test | Yes ($7,500 individual / $15,000 family) | No asset test |
| Application site | Hospital business office | njfamilycare.dhs.state.nj.us |
| Retroactive coverage | Yes, up to 1 year from service | 3 months retroactive for some eligibility groups |
| Citizenship required | No | No (for emergency services and certain groups) |
If your income is at or below 138% FPL, apply for NJ FamilyCare first. Charity Care will cover any remaining balance.
Checking Your Hospital Bill Before You Apply
Hospitals sometimes bill at chargemaster rates (the highest list price) before accounting for Charity Care discounts or insurance adjustments. Reviewing line items before you apply can reveal charges that should not have appeared at all.
The CoveredUSA Bill Analyzer flags line items that exceed Medicare benchmark rates, identifies duplicate charges, and estimates whether your bill qualifies for NJ Charity Care based on your income. Upload your hospital bill to the free CoveredUSA Bill Analyzer to find errors, overcharges, and charity care options in 30 seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as income for New Jersey Charity Care eligibility?
New Jersey Charity Care counts gross income before taxes and deductions. This includes wages, self-employment income, Social Security benefits, unemployment compensation, alimony, rental income, and investment income. Child support received and most disability payments also count. If your household has zero income, you can self-certify with a signed statement.
Can I apply for Charity Care after my bill went to collections?
Yes. You have one year from the date of service to apply, regardless of whether the account has been sent to a collection agency. If you are approved after the account went to collections, New Jersey hospitals are legally required to recall the account from the collection agency and adjust the balance to reflect your Charity Care determination.
Does New Jersey Charity Care cover outpatient services?
Yes, for outpatient services performed at a licensed acute care hospital. If you had blood work, imaging, or minor procedures done at an outpatient department of a hospital (not a freestanding lab or imaging center), those charges are eligible. Physician professional fees billed separately by the doctor are not covered by Charity Care.
Is there an income limit for emergency care?
New Jersey law requires hospitals to provide emergency care to all patients regardless of ability to pay. Charity Care is the mechanism that resolves the bill after care is delivered. If your income is at or below 200% FPL, that emergency bill must be zeroed out. If income is 200-300% FPL, the sliding scale applies.
What if I had insurance but still have a large balance?
Patients with partial insurance coverage can qualify for NJ Charity Care on the unpaid balance. For example, if you owe $4,000 after your insurance paid its share, Charity Care can apply to that $4,000 balance if your income and assets fall within the limits.
Does Charity Care affect my credit score?
Receiving Charity Care itself does not affect your credit. If your application is approved after the account went to collections, the hospital must recall it. However, if you never applied and the bill stayed in collections, that collection entry remains on your credit report unless removed separately. Applying as soon as you receive a bill is the best way to prevent a collection entry from appearing.
What is the income limit for a family of four in New Jersey Charity Care for 2026?
A family of four with a gross annual income at or below $66,000 qualifies for free care in 2026 (200% FPL). A family of four earning between $66,001 and $99,000 (up to 300% FPL) qualifies for partial assistance on a sliding scale. These thresholds are based on the 2026 HHS Federal Poverty Guidelines.
How do I find out if my hospital participates in Charity Care?
All licensed acute care hospitals in New Jersey are required by state law to participate in the Charity Care program. If a hospital refuses to provide an application or denies that the program exists, contact the NJ Department of Health at 1-866-588-5696 or visit nj.gov/health/hcf/charity-care.
