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Medicare and health costs

NJ FamilyCare (Medicaid) in New Jersey

New Jersey covers people 65 and older through the NJ FamilyCare Aged, Blind, Disabled (ABD) programs, which can pay health costs Medicare doesn't.

Checked

From the New Jersey Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services (DMAHS)
An older woman in her kitchen reads a letter from the day's mail

You may qualify with income up to the poverty level and savings up to $4,000 for one person, higher than many states allow. Long-term care at home or in a nursing home has a higher income limit, and people over it can use a Qualified Income Trust.

How to apply in New Jersey

In person
Your local County Social Service Agency can help you apply. An in-person interview isn't required.
By mail
Print the NJ FamilyCare Aged, Blind, Disabled Program Application, complete it and mail it in.

Applying is free. Nobody should charge you to apply.

Apply on the official site

Who may qualify in New Jersey

Who may qualify for NJ FamilyCare
One personMarried couple
Income limit (2026)$1,330 a month (100% of the poverty level)$1,804 a month (100% of the poverty level)

Source: New Jersey Department of Human Services, DMAHS (source 1)

Savings limit (2026)$4,000$6,000

Source: New Jersey Department of Human Services, DMAHS (source 1)

Spend-down if your income is over the limitYes: New Jersey has a medically needy program for older adults whose income is over the limit

Source: KFF (source 3)

Income limit for nursing-home or home-care Medicaid (2026)$2,982 a month for one person, with a $2,000 savings limit, if the Division of Aging Services finds you clinically eligible. Above that, you can set up a Qualified Income Trust.

Source: New Jersey Department of Human Services, DMAHS (source 1)

Medicaid for adults under 65 (expansion)Yes: New Jersey expanded Medicaid to low-income adults under 65

Source: KFF (source 4)

How New Jersey is different

Where New Jersey's rules differ from the federal rules for Medicaid for people with Medicare.

  • Higher income limit: 100% of the poverty level
  • Higher savings limit: $4,000 for one person, $6,000 for a couple

Source: New Jersey Department of Human Services, DMAHS (source 1)

Good to know

  • For long-term care, New Jersey looks back five years at your financial accounts and resources.
  • New Jersey may file a claim against the estate of a member to recover Medicaid payments for services received at 55 or older, but not when there is a surviving spouse, a child under 21, or a blind or disabled child.

Sources: New Jersey Department of Human Services, DMAHS (source 1), New Jersey Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services (source 2)

Free help

Free help with this in New Jersey

More help in New Jersey

Medicaid for older adults in another state

Sources

  1. New Jersey Department of Human Services, DMAHS, NJ FamilyCare Aged, Blind, Disabled Programs brochure (2026) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
  2. New Jersey Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services, Aged, Blind and Disabled (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
  3. KFF, Medicaid Eligibility Levels for Older Adults and People with Disabilities (Non-MAGI) in 2026. Checked Oct 28, 2026.
  4. KFF, Status of State Medicaid Expansion Decisions. Checked Oct 28, 2026.

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