New Jersey Medicaid income limits aren't a single number. What counts as "over the limit" depends entirely on which pathway you're applying through, and the figures range from about $1,330 a month for an aged or disabled adult to $2,982 a month for nursing-home coverage.
New Jersey Medicaid, known as NJ FamilyCare, runs two different eligibility systems. Children, parents, pregnant residents, and other adults qualify on income alone, with no asset test. Seniors 65 and older, people who are blind or disabled, and anyone seeking long-term care qualify under separate rules that count both income and assets. This guide gives the 2026 numbers for each, plus the asset rules and the trust that lets people over the income cap still qualify for long-term care.
In This Guide
- The two New Jersey Medicaid eligibility systems
- NJ FamilyCare income limits for children, families, and adults
- Aged, blind, and disabled (ABD) eligibility
- Long-term care (MLTSS and nursing home) eligibility
- The 2026 income and asset limits, all in one table
- What assets count and what's exempt
- Over the income limit? The Qualified Income Trust
- Frequently asked questions
The two New Jersey Medicaid eligibility systems
Almost every confusion about New Jersey Medicaid eligibility comes from treating it as one program with one income limit. It isn't. NJ FamilyCare decides eligibility two different ways.
The first is MAGI, short for Modified Adjusted Gross Income. This is the income-only test used for children, parents and caretakers, pregnant residents, and adults added under the Affordable Care Act expansion. These groups have no asset test at all. If your income is under the threshold for your category, your savings and property don't matter.
The second is the SSI-related (non-MAGI) test, used for people 65 and older and people who are blind or disabled. This test counts both income and assets, and it splits again depending on whether you need long-term care. People who receive Supplemental Security Income are automatically eligible for NJ FamilyCare.
NJ FamilyCare income limits for children, families, and adults
These are the 2026 MAGI limits from the official NJ FamilyCare income chart. The figures below are the maximum monthly income for a household of one; the limit rises with each additional family member.
- Adults 19 to 64: up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level, $1,836/month for one person. This covers both parents and adults without dependent children.
- Pregnant residents: up to 205% FPL, $2,727/month, with coverage continuing for 12 months after the baby is born.
- Children under 19: covered on a sliding scale up to 355% FPL, $4,722/month for a household of one. Coverage is free below 200% FPL; above that, families pay small copayments of $5 to $35 but no monthly premium.
None of these MAGI categories has an asset test.
Aged, blind, and disabled (ABD) eligibility
If you're 65 or older, or determined blind or disabled, and you're not seeking long-term care, the ABD pathway uses an income limit of 100% of the Federal Poverty Level, about $1,330 a month for a single person in 2026. Unlike the MAGI categories, this pathway counts assets. People already receiving SSI are enrolled automatically.
This is the number that surprises people, because it's lower than the long-term-care limit below. A senior can earn too much for routine ABD Medicaid yet still qualify for Medicaid-funded long-term care, which uses the more generous standard.
Long-term care (MLTSS and nursing home) eligibility
Long-term care in New Jersey runs through MLTSS, the managed-care program that covers nursing-home care and in-home care alike. Its 2026 financial limits:
- Income: $2,982/month for a single applicant ($5,964 for a couple where both apply). That's 300% of the federal SSI benefit rate.
- Assets: $2,000 for an individual, $3,000 for a couple where both apply.
- Home equity: the primary home is exempt up to $752,000 in equity.
- Look-back: New Jersey reviews asset transfers made in the 60 months before you apply, and gifts can trigger a penalty period.
For a married couple where only one spouse needs care, the federal spousal-impoverishment rules let the community spouse keep between $32,532 and $162,660 in countable assets and a monthly maintenance allowance of up to $4,066.50.
The 2026 income and asset limits, all in one table
| Pathway | 2026 monthly income limit | Asset test |
|---|---|---|
| Adults 19-64 (MAGI) | $1,836 (138% FPL) | None |
| Pregnant residents (MAGI) | $2,727 (205% FPL) | None |
| Children under 19 (MAGI) | up to $4,722 (355% FPL) | None |
| Aged, blind, disabled (ABD) | about $1,330 (100% FPL) | Yes |
| Long-term care (MLTSS / nursing home) | $2,982 (300% SSI) | $2,000 |
What assets count and what's exempt
Asset rules only apply to the ABD and long-term-care pathways; MAGI groups have no asset test. When assets do count, the limit for a single long-term-care applicant is $2,000. Countable assets include bank accounts, investments, and a second property. Several things are generally exempt: your primary home (up to the $752,000 equity limit), one vehicle, personal belongings, and certain burial funds. The community spouse's protected share is carved out before the applicant's countable assets are measured.
Over the income limit? The Qualified Income Trust
New Jersey is what's called an income-cap state for long-term care, so being even a dollar over the $2,982 limit would, on its face, disqualify you. The fix is a Qualified Income Trust (sometimes called a Miller trust). You deposit the income above the cap into the trust each month, and the trust directs it toward the cost of your care. Set up correctly, it lets an over-income applicant meet the limit.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on the pathway. An adult 19-64 qualifies up to $1,836/month (138% FPL); an aged, blind, or disabled adult up to about $1,330/month (100% FPL); and long-term-care applicants up to $2,982/month (300% of the SSI rate). Children and pregnant residents have higher limits.
Only on some pathways. The MAGI categories (children, parents, pregnant residents, expansion adults) have no asset test. The aged/blind/disabled and long-term-care pathways do count assets; a single long-term-care applicant is limited to $2,000 in countable assets, with the home and one car generally exempt.
Yes. New Jersey is an income-cap state, but a Qualified Income Trust lets you redirect the income above the $2,982 monthly limit so you still qualify. It has to be set up correctly, so many families use an elder-law attorney.
No. Federal spousal-impoverishment rules protect the community spouse, who can keep between $32,532 and $162,660 in assets in 2026 plus a monthly maintenance allowance of up to $4,066.50. The protected amount depends on your finances.
Yes. New Jersey residents who receive Supplemental Security Income are automatically enrolled in NJ FamilyCare.
Learn More
- Your Guide to New Jersey Medicaid (NJ FamilyCare)
- How to Apply for New Jersey Medicaid
- How to Qualify for Medicaid Without Going Broke
- New Jersey Medicaid Estate Recovery
- New Jersey Medicare Savings Programs
- How to Get Paid to Care for a Family Member in New Jersey
Find personalized help figuring out which New Jersey Medicaid pathway you qualify for at brevy.com.
The information on Brevy.com is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional legal, financial, or medical advice. Rules vary by state and program and change frequently. Always verify with the relevant agency or a qualified professional. Brevy is not a law firm, financial advisor, or healthcare provider.