NJ FamilyCare Income Limits (New Jersey Medicaid, 2026)

NJ FamilyCare is the umbrella program that delivers Medicaid and CHIP benefits to eligible New Jersey residents. Administered by the New Jersey Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services (DMAHS), NJ FamilyCare covers roughly 2.4 million New Jerseyans as of 2026, making it one of the largest state-administered health programs in the Northeast. Because New Jersey adopted the Affordable Care Act's Medicaid expansion on January 1, 2014, NJ FamilyCare covers non-elderly adults ages 19 to 64 with incomes up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level regardless of whether they have dependent children. The 2026 Federal Poverty Level for the 48 contiguous states is $15,960 per year for one person, increasing by $5,680 for each additional household member. At 138% of that base, a single adult qualifies with income up to $22,025 per year, and a household of four qualifies up to $45,540 per year.

NJ FamilyCare stands out nationally in two important ways. First, the program covers children under 19 at income levels up to 355% of the Federal Poverty Level, one of the most generous children's thresholds in the country. For a family of four, that means children remain covered as long as household income stays below $117,150 per year in 2026. Second, NJ FamilyCare combines Medicaid and CHIP coverage under one application and one program name, meaning families do not need to apply separately to different programs based on a child's age or a parent's income tier. The single application routes the household to the appropriate coverage level automatically. Pregnant individuals qualify up to 205% FPL (roughly $32,718 per year for a single person), with postpartum coverage continuing for 12 full months after delivery under federal rules extended by the American Rescue Plan Act.

NJ FamilyCare enrollees and New Jersey residents should be aware of two important 2026 and 2027 program changes driven by federal legislation. Starting October 1, 2026, certain non-citizen immigrants who do not meet federal immigration-status requirements will no longer qualify for NJ FamilyCare Medicaid, though children under 19, pregnant individuals, and certain protected immigration categories remain eligible. Beginning January 1, 2027, the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) introduces work and community-engagement requirements for adults ages 19 to 64 enrolled in the Alternative Benefit Plan, along with a shift from annual to 6-month renewal cycles for affected enrollees. Many groups are exempt from the work requirement, including parents or caregivers of children under 14, pregnant individuals, people with serious physical or mental health conditions, and foster youth under 26. New Jersey's DMAHS has published an NJ FamilyCare Activity Requirements Checker tool at the NJ.gov website to help enrollees understand whether they will be affected.

NJ FamilyCare (New Jersey Medicaid) income limits by household size (2026)

The 2026 NJ FamilyCare income guidelines below are based on the 2026 Federal Poverty Level for the 48 contiguous states. Adult column = NJ FamilyCare expansion-group threshold (138% FPL, ages 19-64). Children column = NJ FamilyCare children's Medicaid/CHIP combined (355% FPL, under age 19). Pregnancy column = NJ FamilyCare pregnancy coverage (205% FPL). Add $5,680 of annual income per additional household member beyond 8.

NJ FamilyCare (New Jersey Medicaid) eligibility requirements (non-income)

Beyond income, NJ FamilyCare applicants must meet the following non-income requirements. Rules differ slightly by coverage category (adults 19-64, children under 19, pregnant individuals, and aged/blind/disabled adults), but the items below apply broadly across all NJ FamilyCare populations.

• New Jersey residency: the applicant must currently live in New Jersey with the intent to remain. There is no minimum length-of-residence requirement; same-day applicants who are New Jersey residents qualify.
• U.S. citizenship or qualifying immigration status: U.S. citizens and most lawful permanent residents (after the standard federal 5-year bar for adults, though children and pregnant individuals have shorter or no bars) qualify. Starting October 1, 2026, OBBBA federal legislation restricts coverage for certain non-citizen immigrants. Lawful permanent residents of 5 or more years, refugees, asylees, survivors of trafficking or abuse, and lawfully present immigrants in protected categories remain eligible.
• Social Security Number: required for U.S. citizens and most qualifying immigrants who are applying for their own coverage. Applicants may apply on behalf of children even if the parent or guardian does not have an SSN, as long as the child's SSN or an exemption applies.
• Household composition: NJ FamilyCare uses MAGI (Modified Adjusted Gross Income) rules to define the household for adults, children, and pregnant individuals. The MAGI household generally mirrors the federal tax household. Aged, blind, and disabled adults use SSI household composition rules instead.
• Asset test: NJ FamilyCare does NOT apply an asset test for MAGI populations (adults 19-64, children, and pregnant individuals). An asset test DOES apply for aged, blind, and disabled (ABD) adults, with limits of $4,000 for an individual and $6,000 for a couple. Nursing home Medicaid has a stricter $2,000 individual asset limit with a 60-month lookback period for asset transfers.
• Age requirements: adults 19 to 64 fall under the ACA expansion group. Children under 19 are covered up to 355% FPL. Adults 65 and older fall under the aged/blind/disabled pathway with different income rules (100% FPL for regular ABD Medicaid). There is no upper age limit for disability-based eligibility.
• Other insurance: NJ FamilyCare applicants are not required to be uninsured. NJ FamilyCare coordinates benefits as the payer of last resort when another insurer exists. Employer-sponsored coverage does not automatically disqualify an applicant, though cost-effectiveness tests may apply in certain categories.

What income counts for NJ FamilyCare (New Jersey Medicaid)

NJ FamilyCare uses Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) rules for adults ages 19 to 64, children, and pregnant individuals. MAGI income is based on the household's projected annual income as reported on a federal income tax return, without regard to assets or resources. For aged, blind, and disabled adults in the ABD Medicaid pathway, SSI countable-income rules apply instead of MAGI. The lists below apply to MAGI-based NJ FamilyCare categories, which cover the large majority of applicants.

Income sources included

• Wages, salaries, tips, bonuses, and overtime pay (gross, before payroll tax withholding)
• Net self-employment earnings, 1099 income, and gig-economy income (after allowable business deductions on Schedule C)
• Social Security retirement benefits and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) payments
• Unemployment insurance compensation
• Pensions, annuities, and taxable retirement-account withdrawals (401k, IRA, 403b)
• Investment income: taxable interest, ordinary dividends, and capital gains from the sale of investments
• Rental income (net of allowable expenses reported on Schedule E)
• Alimony received under divorce or separation agreements finalized before January 1, 2019 (post-2018 agreements are no longer federally taxable and thus excluded from MAGI)

Income sources excluded

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments (distinct from SSDI, which is counted)
• Child support received from an absent parent
• Veterans Affairs disability compensation and most VA pension benefits
• Federal and state income-tax refunds and most refundable tax credits (Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit)
• SNAP (food assistance) benefits, TANF cash assistance, and most other means-tested public benefit payments
• Workers' compensation payments for job-related injury or illness
• Loans, gifts, and inheritances (not considered income under MAGI rules)

How to apply for NJ FamilyCare (New Jersey Medicaid) in New Jersey

NJ FamilyCare applications are processed by the New Jersey Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services (DMAHS) through county social services offices. Residents can apply online at njfamilycare.org (which redirects to the NJHelps.gov benefits portal), by calling the NJ FamilyCare hotline at 1-800-701-0710, or by mailing or delivering a paper application to their county Board of Social Services. The same application covers NJ FamilyCare, NJHelps food assistance (SNAP), and other state benefits. Most applicants receive a coverage decision within 45 days.

1. 1. Gather documents before you start: photo ID (driver's license, state ID, or passport) for the head of household; Social Security Numbers for everyone applying; proof of New Jersey residency (utility bill, lease, bank statement with NJ address); proof of citizenship or qualifying immigration status; and documentation of all income sources (recent pay stubs, most recent tax return, or proof of benefit payments).
2. 2. Apply online at njfamilycare.org or NJHelps.gov. Create an account using a valid email address, then complete the household and income sections for every family member. Online applications are processed faster than paper applications. If you prefer to apply by phone, call 1-800-701-0710 Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4 pm.
3. 3. Upload or mail supporting documents. NJ FamilyCare uses electronic data-matching to verify some information (Social Security, wage records) automatically, but you may be asked to submit proof of residency, income documentation, or immigration status if the electronic match does not confirm eligibility.
4. 4. Sign the application. Electronic signatures are accepted for online applications. For paper applications, sign and date the form, then submit to your county Board of Social Services office. Your county contact information is listed at njfamilycare.dhs.state.nj.us.
5. 5. Respond promptly to any requests for additional information from your county office. Missing pay stubs, missing immigration documents, or failure to verify residency are the most common reasons applications are delayed or denied. You typically have 10 days to respond to such requests.
6. 6. Wait for your eligibility notice. NJ FamilyCare sends a written notice by mail and, if you applied online, by email. If approved, your coverage is generally retroactive to the first day of the month in which you applied. If denied, the notice explains the reason and your right to appeal.

Official portal: njfamilycare.org

Documents needed

• Photo ID for the head of household (New Jersey driver's license, state ID card, or U.S. passport)
• Social Security Number (or documentation of SSN application) for each household member applying for coverage
• Proof of New Jersey residency (utility bill, lease or mortgage statement, bank statement, or official mail with name and current NJ address)
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or qualifying immigration status (birth certificate, U.S. passport, lawful permanent resident card, employment authorization document, or asylee/refugee documentation)
• Last 30 days of pay stubs (or 12 months of income records for self-employment or irregular income)
• Most recent federal income tax return (Form 1040), or a signed statement that no return was filed
• Proof of pregnancy (letter or form from a doctor, midwife, or certified nurse), if applying for NJ FamilyCare pregnancy coverage
• For aged, blind, or disabled applicants: bank and investment account statements, vehicle titles, and documentation of any disability determination from Social Security or a physician

Processing timeline: Standard NJ FamilyCare applications for MAGI populations (adults, children, pregnant individuals) are typically decided within 45 days of the application date. Pregnancy applications may be expedited to 15 days under federal rules. Disability-based (ABD) applications can take up to 90 days because they require a medical determination. If approved, coverage is generally retroactive to the first day of the month in which the application was submitted. If you have not received a decision after 45 days, you have the right to request an administrative hearing on the basis of delay.

Common reasons applications get denied

• Income above the population-specific NJ FamilyCare threshold (most common reason): adult income above 138% FPL, or pregnant-individual income above 205% FPL.
• Failure to provide requested documentation within the 10-day window (missing pay stubs, missing proof of residency, or missing immigration documents).
• Immigration status ineligibility: certain non-citizens who do not qualify under state or federal rules. From October 2026 forward, OBBBA federal restrictions may render some previously-eligible immigrants ineligible.
• Failure to establish New Jersey residency: applicant cannot provide documentation showing a current New Jersey address.
• Asset test failure for aged, blind, or disabled applicants: countable resources above $4,000 for an individual or $6,000 for a couple.

NJ FamilyCare already includes CHIP: children up to 355% FPL

New Jersey does not operate a separate CHIP program. Children under age 19 are covered by NJ FamilyCare through a combined Medicaid and CHIP program under one application. Children qualify at income levels up to 355% of the Federal Poverty Level, which equals $117,150 per year for a family of four in 2026. Below 200% FPL, NJ FamilyCare children's coverage is free with no premium. Between 201% and 355% FPL, families pay small copayments of $5 to $35 per visit but no monthly premium. Parents apply once at njfamilycare.org and the system automatically determines the correct coverage tier based on household income. If a child's family income exceeds 355% FPL, private marketplace coverage through GetCoveredNJ may be available with premium tax credits for households between 100% and 400% FPL.

Compare Medicaid and CHIP income limits across all 50 states

If you are 65 or older with limited income: New Jersey Medicare Savings Programs

New Jersey administers three federal Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) for low-income Medicare beneficiaries, plus a state-funded Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (PAAD) program. The federal MSPs are: Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB), which covers adults at or below 100% FPL (about $1,330/month for one person in 2026) and pays Medicare Parts A and B premiums, deductibles, and cost-sharing; Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB), which covers adults between 100% and 120% FPL (up to $1,596/month for one person) and pays the Part B premium only; and Qualifying Individual (QI), which covers adults from 120% to 135% FPL (up to $1,795/month for one person) and also pays Part B premiums. All three MSPs have a resource (asset) limit of approximately $9,950 for a single individual or $14,910 for a couple in 2026. Enrolling in any MSP automatically qualifies a beneficiary for the federal Extra Help (Low-Income Subsidy) program that reduces Medicare Part D drug costs. Apply for NJ MSPs through NJ FamilyCare at 1-800-701-0710 or at njfamilycare.org, as all MSP applications go through the same intake system.

Read the Medicare eligibility guide

Frequently Asked Questions