Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services

Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services

Non-citizen Eligibility

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New federal rules, signed into law by President Trump, are changing who qualifies for NJ FamilyCare/Medicaid based on immigration status. Some non-citizens will no longer qualify for coverage after September 30, 2026.

Most non-citizen immigrants with NJ FamilyCare/Medicaid coverage will not be affected, including children under 19, lawfully present people under 21, pregnant people, and many green card holders. For more information on which non-citizen immigrants may no longer qualify for NJ FamilyCare/Medicaid, read the “See which groups are impacted” section.

See which groups are impacted

Non-citizens who may continue to qualify include:

  • Lawful Permanent Resident (green card holder) of at least 5 years calculated from date of grant of qualifying immigration status
  • Non-citizens that are in one of the following groups and who have adjusted to Lawful Permanent Resident, regardless of date of adjustment
    • Refugees
    • Asylees
    • Victims of trafficking and their spouse, child, sibling, or parents
    • Lawfully residing veterans/active-duty service members and certain family members
    • Amerasian immigrants
    • Iraqi and Afghani grantees of Special Immigrant Visas (SIV) or SI/SQ Parolees
    • Afghan Nationals granted parole between July 31, 2021 and September 30, 2023
    • Individuals who were paroled into the U.S. between February 24, 2022 and September 30, 2024 under the Ukrainian Humanitarian Parole (UHP) program
    • People whose deportation is being withheld
  • Cuban/Haitian Entrants
  • Compacts of Free Association (COFA) migrants, which includes Micronesia, Marshall Islands, and Palau
  • Lawfully present pregnant people
  • Lawfully present non-citizens who are under the age of 21
  • Children under 19, regardless of their immigration status

Non-citizens who may NOT continue to qualify include:

  • Non-citizens in the following groups who have not adjusted to Lawful Permanent Resident status
    • Victims of domestic violence, applying under the U.S. under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
    • Temporary humanitarian parolees (those paroled into the U.S. for at least one year)
    • Refugees
    • Asylees
    • Victims of trafficking and their spouse, child, sibling, or parents
    • Lawfully residing veterans/active-duty service members and certain family members
    • Afghan Nationals granted parole between July 31, 2021, and September 30, 2023
    • Individuals who were paroled into the U.S. between February 24, 2022 and September 30, 2024 under the Ukrainian Humanitarian Parole (UHP) program
    • People whose deportation is being withheld

What you can expect

If NJ FamilyCare is unable to confirm that your coverage will continue after September 30, 2026, you will have a chance to prove your immigration status. NJ FamilyCare is working with HMS, a company based in Texas, for this process. You will receive a letter in July with instructions on what to do next. Do not ignore this letter and follow all steps. You may still be eligible.

View letters in your preferred language

You can view or download a copy of your letters in your preferred language. Locate the name of the letter in the top-left corner on the first page. Find the section with the same name below. Click on the link for your preferred language.

Non-citizen Initial Letter

English
Arabic/العربية
Chinese (Simplified)/中文(简体)
Chinese (Traditional)/中文(繁體)
Gujarati/ગુજરાતી
Haitian Creole/Kreyòl Ayisyen
Korean/한국어
Portuguese/Português
Russian/Русский
Spanish/Español

If you didn’t get a letter and think you should have received one, call the HMS hotline at +1 833-635-7060 (TTY: 711).

Learn how to submit your documents

There are three different ways you can submit your documents to HMS. They can be submitted online, by fax, or by mail. Steps on how to submit your documents can be found in the Non-citizen Initial Letter and are listed below.

  • Online (preferred option): Upload your documents to the HMS secure site: www.VerifyOS.com. You must enter your reference number and date of birth to log into the portal. You can find your reference number in the top-right corner of the letter mailed to you.
  • Fax to HMS: Fax documents directly to HMS at +1 877-223-8478
  • Mail to HMS: The address to mail copies of your documents is PO Box 165308, Irving, TX 75016-9923. Please allow 3-5 business days for receipt.

The fastest way to verify your status is to submit your documents online via the HMS secure site. If you submit your documents in the mail, please submit a copy of your documents and keep the originals. To check your submission status, go to the “How to check your status” section.

If you cannot find your letter with your reference number, call the HMS hotline at +1 833-635-7060 (TTY: 711).

If you need more information on what documents prove your immigration status, the "Immigration Document Guide" section lists documents to submit for each qualifying immigrant category. You must submit at least one document listed for the qualifying immigrant category you belong to. You do not need to submit documents for qualifying immigrant categories that you do not belong to.

Immigration Document Guide

How to check your status

Once you have submitted your documents, you can check the status of your submission online by logging into the www.VerifyOS.com portal. Please allow 3-5 business days for your submission status to be updated on www.VerifyOS.com.

You must enter the reference number included in your letter and your date of birth to log in. Don’t know your reference number? Find your reference number in the top-right corner of the letter mailed to you or call the HMS hotline at +1 833-635-7060 (TTY: 711).

Have questions on this process or need help?

Call the HMS hotline at +1 833-635-7060 (TTY: 711) if you have questions on your document submission status or if you think you should have received a letter.

If you need help understanding if you may be eligible or need assistance documenting your immigration status, Legal Services of New Jersey (LSNJ) may be able to help. Call the LSNJ HealthLine at 833-576-5776 for information and legal advice. You may also apply for help online at www.lsnjlawhotline.org

More questions? Please view the frequently asked questions below.

  1. If your coverage is at risk, NJ FamilyCare will mail you a letter in July. The letter will say that your coverage may be ending on September 30, 2026 because of changes in the federal immigration requirements on who qualifies for Medicaid coverage.

    If you believe you have an immigration status that should still qualify for Medicaid coverage after September 30, 2026, you have the chance to send in documents to prove your status. The letter will explain how to submit your documents to HMS, the vendor that is helping NJ FamilyCare with this process.

    NJ FamilyCare will review your documents. After this review is complete, you will be sent another letter from NJ FamilyCare letting you know if you will be able to keep your NJ FamilyCare/Medicaid coverage or if it will end on September 30, 2026. If you did not get a letter, but you think you should have received one, call the HMS hotline at +1 833-635-7060 (TTY: 711) to see if a letter was mailed to you.

If you believe you should have received a Non-citizen Initial Letter, call the HMS hotline at +1 833-635-7060 (TTY: 711).  If a letter was sent to you, but you did not get it, you can ask for another one to be mailed to you. You may also view a digital copy of the letter in the "View letters in your preferred language" section.

  1. NJ FamilyCare is sending this letter to all members whose records do not clearly show they qualify under the new rules. If you receive a letter, it doesn't necessarily mean your coverage will end. However, it does mean that NJ FamilyCare needs more information from you.

    You must act now to keep your coverage.

    1. Respond to the letter: If you believe you still qualify, fill out the form and follow the instructions to submit the form with copies of your immigration documents to HMS.
    2. State review: Once received, NJ FamilyCare will review your documents to see if you still qualify.
    3. Decision:
      • If you are found to qualify, you will be able to keep your NJ FamilyCare/Medicaid coverage.
      • If you do not respond, or do not qualify, your coverage will end on September 30, 2026.
      • If you submit documents, you should receive one of the following letters: Non-citizen Eligible Letter, Non-citizen Ineligible Letter, or Non-citizen Incomplete Letter. If you do not hear back, you should call the HMS hotline at +1 833-635-7060 (TTY: 711).

NJ FamilyCare is sending this letter to all members whose Medicaid records do not clearly show they qualify under the new rules. If you have received a letter, NJ FamilyCare was unable to verify that you are a U.S. citizen. Receiving this letter does not mean you are no longer a U.S. citizen or that your citizenship status has changed.

Please submit your citizenship documents as soon as possible so NJ FamilyCare can confirm that you still qualify for coverage. Follow the same document submissions steps included in the Non-citizen Initial Letter. Examples of citizenship documents can be found in the "Immigration Document Guide" section.

Only NJ FamilyCare can verify your submitted documents and determine if you qualify for coverage. No other organization can tell you if you qualify for coverage, though they can help you decide what documents to submit. Once you follow the instructions in the letter and submit copies of the form and documents to HMS, NJ FamilyCare will review your documents and send you a final letter letting you know if your coverage will continue or end after September 30, 2026.

If you submit documents, you should receive a letter in response. If you do not hear back, you should call the HMS hotline at +1 833-635-7060 (TTY: 711).

No. If your spouse or child has not received a Non-citizen Initial Letter and is a U.S. citizen or has an immigration status that qualifies under the new rules, these changes will not apply to them and they are not required to submit any documents. They will keep their coverage as long as they meet other requirements, like income.

Regardless of your spouse or child's citizenship or immigration status, if they have received a Non-citizen Initial Letter, they must submit their documents.

Each person in a household is reviewed individually. One person in the household losing coverage does not mean everyone else will, too.

If you get a letter and think it is wrong, follow the steps below as soon as possible:

  1. Complete the form: If you believe you still qualify, fill out the form included with the letter.
  2. Gather your immigration or citizenship documents: Make copies of your documents that prove your immigration status.
  3. Send your response: Follow the instructions in the letter you received. Submit the form and copies of your documents by the deadline. The best way to send in your documents is through the www.VerifyOS.com portal. If you have any questions about how to send in your information, call the HMS hotline at +1 833-635-7060 (TTY: 711).

If NJ FamilyCare can confirm you have an immigration status that will still qualify after September 30, 2026, you will be able to keep your coverage.

See the "Immigration Document Guide" section for the list of acceptable documents to send for each qualifying immigrant category.

Don't wait! Send in your documents right away so NJ FamilyCare can check if you still qualify for coverage.

  1. There are a few ways to get your documents to NJ FamilyCare:

    • Online (preferred option): Upload to the HMS secure site: www.VerifyOS.com. You must enter your reference number and date of birth to log into the portal. You can find your reference number in the top-right corner of the letter mailed to you.
    • Fax to HMS: Fax documents directly to HMS at +1 877-223-8478
    • Mail to HMS: The address to mail copies of your documents is PO Box 165308, Irving, TX 75016-9923. Please allow 3-5 business days for receipt.

    If you have any questions about submitting documents, call the HMS hotline at +1 833-635-7060 (TTY: 711).

Your reference number is assigned to you by HMS to keep track of your document submissions. You will need the reference number to log into www.VerifyOS.com to submit your documents or check on your documents submission status.
Your reference number is located at the top-right corner of the letter you have received in the mail.

If you have lost or cannot find your reference number, call the HMS hotline at +1 833-635-7060 (TTY: 711) HMS can help you find your number or send you a new copy of your letter.

NJ FamilyCare will mail you an outcome letter once your documents have been reviewed and a decision has been made. NJ FamilyCare cannot give an exact timeline for when you should expect a response, but please give at least 30 days for NJ FamilyCare to process your information. If you have not heard from NJ FamilyCare, call the HMS hotline at +1 833-635-7060 (TTY: 711). To check or view your submission's status, visit the HMS portal at www.VerifyOS.com.

You do not need to do anything if you know that your immigration status no longer qualifies for NJ FamilyCare/Medicaid coverage. Your NJ FamilyCare/Medicaid coverage will end on September 30, 2026.

You will need to find another health insurance provider to avoid becoming uninsured. See the "Where can I get other health care coverage?" section of this FAQ for more information.

In the meantime, continue using your NJ FamilyCare/Medicaid coverage for doctor visits, prescriptions, and other health services. Your benefits remain fully active through September 30, 2026.

Do not ignore the letter. If you do not respond to the letter, your NJ FamilyCare/Medicaid coverage will end on September 30, 2026. You will need to get new health care coverage.

If you have received a letter, that means that NJ FamilyCare thinks these changes may affect you. If you think you should still qualify, sending your documents as soon as possible is the best way to help keep your NJ FamilyCare/Medicaid coverage active.

If NJ FamilyCare mailed you a Non-citizen Initial Letter and you have not received a Non-citizen Eligible Letter confirming you still qualify, your last day of NJ FamilyCare/Medicaid coverage will be September 30, 2026. If you want to check if a letter was mailed to you, call the HMS hotline at +1 833-635-7060 (TTY: 711) to ask if NJ FamilyCare sent you a letter. If a letter was sent to you, but you do not have a copy, you can ask for another one to be mailed to you. You may also view a digital copy of this letter in the "View letters in your preferred language" section.

Please continue using your NJ FamilyCare/Medicaid benefits for doctor visits and prescriptions until that date. Your benefits remain fully active until September 30, 2026.

Starting October 1, 2026, you may qualify for quality health care coverage through Get Covered New Jersey, the State's Official Health Insurance Marketplace. You must complete your enrollment at Get Covered New Jersey within 60 days after your NJ FamilyCare coverage ends on September 30, 2026 to avoid a gap in coverage. Learn more about coverage options at GetCovered.NJ.gov.
In addition, several programs can help New Jersey residents to pay for emergency and hospital-based services. Medical Emergency Payment Program (MEPP) covers emergency services, including labor and delivery, for New Jersey residents age 19 and older who do not qualify for NJ FamilyCare because they do not meet the U.S. citizenship or immigration requirement. Visit www.nj.gov/humanservices/dmahs/individuals-families/familycare/mepp for more information on MEPP.

HMS is a vendor, based in Texas, that NJ FamilyCare has partnered with to help with this effort. HMS is handling the process of collecting documents, sending letters, and answering questions from people who receive these letters. If you have any questions about whether a letter was sent to you or how to submit documents, call the HMS hotline at +1 833-635-7060 (TTY: 711).

There are several places where you can get help:

  • HMS: You can call the HMS hotline at +1 833-635-7060 (TTY: 711) for help with questions about your letter, how to submit your documents, or general questions about this process
  • Legal Services of New Jersey (LSNJ): If you need help understanding if you may be eligible or need assistance documenting your status, Legal Services of New Jersey may be able to help. Call the LSNJ HealthLine at +1 833-576-5776 (TTY: 711) for information and legal advice. You may also apply for help online at www.lsnjlawhotline.org
  • Health Benefits Coordinator Call Center: You can call the Health Benefits Coordinator Call Center at +1 800-701-0710 (TTY: 711) if you have questions on your health benefits

You can get help in the language with which you are most comfortable. For live support, you can call the HMS hotline at +1 833-635-7060 (TTY: 711) and ask for an interpreter. An interpreter can be arranged to join the call at no cost to you.

To view a translated copy of your letter, please visit the "View letters in your preferred language" section. Your letter provides you with more information on how to access translation services.

If you need help understanding if you may be eligible or need assistance documenting your status, Legal Services of New Jersey may be able to help. Call the LSNJ HealthLine at +1 833-576-5776 (TTY: 711) for information and legal advice. An interpreter can be arranged to join the call at no cost to you. You may also apply for help online at www.lsnjlawhotline.org.