Governor Mikie Sherrill

Department of Health

Healthy New Jersey

Find Care

Your health coverage may change. You can still get care.

As the federal government makes it harder to gain and maintain coverage, New Jerseyans have access to a range of care options.

Find low-cost care near you See your options
What is changing

New federal rules may affect your health insurance coverage. For example, as of October 1, 2026 some non-citizens may no longer qualify for NJ FamilyCare, and starting January 1, 2027 some NJ FamilyCare members may have to work, volunteer, or go to school and reapply every six months to stay covered.

Learn more about the changes for non-citizens Learn more about the work requirements

Get care now, even if your coverage changes

Health centers, free clinics, and other options are open to you, with or without coverage.

Do the new rules apply to you?

Changes for non-citizens

As of Oct. 1, 2026, some non-citizens who have not become lawful permanent residents may no longer qualify for NJ FamilyCare. This includes some:

  • Refugees, asylees, and trafficking victims
  • People paroled into the U.S. for humanitarian reasons
  • Domestic violence survivors applying under the Violence Against Women Act
  • Veterans, active-duty service members, and their family members

If you got a letter from NJ FamilyCare about your status, do not ignore it. Respond right away. See who is affected and what to do.

Work requirements

Starting Jan. 1, 2027, you may have to work, volunteer, or go to school to stay covered if you are 19 to 64 and have NJ FamilyCare through the Alternative Benefit Plan (ABP). You may not have to if you are:

  • Pregnant, or within 1 year after giving birth
  • A parent or caregiver of a child under 14, or of someone with a disability or serious health condition
  • Under 26 and in, or formerly in, foster care
  • Aged, blind, or disabled

Other exemptions apply. Use the Activity Requirements Checker to see if this applies to you, or read the full list on the DHS website.

These rules may change. For the latest, see the New Jersey Department of Human Services website, or call NJ FamilyCare at 1-800-701-0710 (TTY: 711).

Try to keep your NJ FamilyCare coverage

These steps can improve your chances, but following them is not a guarantee. Use the care options above in the meantime.

  1. Update your contact information.

    NJ FamilyCare sends important notices by mail, email, and text. Update your address and phone number online, or call 1-800-701-0710 (TTY: 711), so you do not miss one.

  2. Check if the work requirements apply to you.

    Use the Activity Requirements Checker.

  3. Watch for letters, emails, and texts, and respond right away.

    Answering NJ FamilyCare quickly can help you avoid a gap in coverage.

  4. Apply or renew even if you think you may no longer qualify.

    Keep using your benefits and going to your appointments.

Go to NJ FamilyCare

Get help

This page will be updated as more information becomes available.

Page last updated October 19, 2026.