Department Continues Reviewing Eligibility under New Trump Medicaid Rules; Individuals Urged to Submit Requested Information

Oct. 6, 2026

(TRENTON) - As new Trump Medicaid cuts for non-citizens take effect, New Jersey Human Services is urging approximately 10,400 individuals who may still be eligible for health coverage to respond immediately to notices issued from NJ FamilyCare.

Human Services is urging individuals who received mail from NJ FamilyCare and have not yet responded to return the requested information as soon as possible. The information will allow NJ FamilyCare to determine whether the individual can regain coverage under the new federal requirements that took effect Thursday, October 1, 2026.

The Department sent letters in July to 23,633 non-citizens whose records required review under new federal rules.

The Department has not heard back from 10,399 individuals.

Because the Department has not received information from those individuals, they have lost coverage as of Thursday, October 1, 2026 under the Trump Medicaid cuts.

“We know that many of the people who have not yet responded may still qualify for NJ FamilyCare, and we do not want anyone who remains eligible to lose access to healthcare simply because we have not received the information needed to verify their eligibility status,” Commissioner Stephen Cha said. “These cruel Trump cuts were imposed on New Jersey. In turn, we want to be certain that every person who can legally retain coverage has every opportunity to do so.”

Under the federal changes that took effect last Thursday, certain non-citizen adults may no longer qualify for federally funded Medicaid based on their immigration status. New Jersey calls its Medicaid program NJ FamilyCare.

President Trump signed these changes into law in July 2025.

The new rules do not affect most non-citizen NJ FamilyCare members, but impacted members may be particularly vulnerable due to care needs or the conditions in which they emigrated to the United States.

 Most lawful permanent residents, children, pregnant individuals, and other groups may continue to qualify depending on their circumstances.

“People should not assume that receiving a notice means they are ineligible,” Deputy Commissioner for Health Services Valerie Mielke said. “If you received an envelope from NJ FamilyCare, please follow the instructions and submit the requested information. That is the best way for us to determine whether you can regain your NJ FamilyCare coverage.”

Federal changes are concerningly broad. Among the groups whose eligibility may be affected are family members of veterans, refugees, asylees, victims of human trafficking, and certain humanitarian parolees, unless they have adjusted to qualifying lawful permanent resident status or otherwise fall within an eligible category.

“New Jersey wants as many people as possible to maintain access to health coverage,” Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services Assistant Commissioner Gregory Woods said. “These changes can have serious consequences for people and families who rely on NJ FamilyCare. That is why we continue to urge everyone who received an envelope or a termination notice and believes they may still have a qualifying immigration status to respond, so we can review your information.”

The Department emphasized that eligibility depends on each individual’s circumstances, and only NJ FamilyCare can make a final determination. Individuals who receive a notice should follow the instructions included with the notice and submit the requested documentation.

Individuals can find additional information about the federal changes, eligibility categories and required documentation here.

Individuals who have questions about a notice they received should follow the instructions in their notice or contact the NJ FamilyCare/HMS hotline at 1-833-635-7060 (TTY: 711).

Individuals who are no longer eligible for NJ FamilyCare may still qualify for coverage under Get Covered New Jersey, or may receive care at clinics across New Jersey that accept patients without insurance and regardless of immigration status.