To apply for New Jersey Medicaid, the first thing to get right is which door you use, because NJ FamilyCare has two separate application paths and sending yourself to the wrong one costs weeks.
If you're applying for a child, a working-age adult, or a pregnant resident, you apply through New Jersey Medicaid online or by phone. If you're 65 or older, blind, or disabled, or you're applying for nursing-home or in-home long-term care, you apply through your County Board of Social Services instead. This guide walks through each route, what documents to gather, and what happens after you submit. If you're not sure you qualify yet, start with our guide to New Jersey Medicaid eligibility and income limits.
Before you apply: which door is yours
New Jersey runs two application systems, and the split is the same one that governs eligibility. Getting it right at the start saves the most time.
- MAGI groups (income-based): children under 19, parents and other adults 19 to 64, and pregnant residents. These applications go through NJ FamilyCare, online or by phone, and have no asset test.
- Aged, blind, and disabled (ABD), and long-term care: people 65 and older, people determined blind or disabled, and anyone seeking MLTSS (nursing-home or in-home long-term care). These go through the County Board of Social Services, the county welfare agency that handles non-MAGI cases.
If you receive Supplemental Security Income, you don't apply at all; you're enrolled in NJ FamilyCare automatically.
| If you're applying for | Apply through | Where to start |
|---|---|---|
| Children, adults 19-64, or pregnant residents (MAGI) | NJ FamilyCare, online or by phone | njfamilycare.org or 1-800-701-0710 |
| Aged, blind, or disabled, not seeking long-term care | County Board of Social Services | Your county welfare agency |
| Long-term care (MLTSS / nursing home) | County Board of Social Services and your county ADRC | Financial application plus clinical screening |
| Someone who already receives SSI | No application needed | Enrolled automatically |
Pathway 1: Apply online (MAGI groups)
For children, adults, and pregnant residents, applying online through NJ FamilyCare is the fastest route. The online application walks you through the questions and lets you upload your documents. Before you start, gather proof of identity, income, New Jersey residency, immigration or citizenship status, and Social Security numbers for everyone applying.
Pathway 2: Apply by phone with a Health Benefits Coordinator
If you'd rather not use the website, or you want help, call a Health Benefits Coordinator at 1-800-701-0710 (TTY 711). They can complete the whole application with you over the phone, and live translators are available for most languages. The line is open Monday and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. This is a free state service, not a broker.
Pathway 3: Aged, blind, disabled, and long-term care
If you're 65 or older, blind, or disabled, or you're applying for long-term care, your application goes through your County Board of Social Services, not the online MAGI portal. The County Board of Social Services manages these cases, reviews your income and assets, and applies the 60-month look-back for long-term-care applicants. You can find your county office through NJ FamilyCare's contact resources.
Long-term care is a two-track application
This is the step families most often miss. Qualifying for MLTSS (New Jersey's managed long-term care) means clearing two separate determinations at the same time:
- Financial: the application at your County Board of Social Services, which checks income, assets, and transfers.
- Clinical: a nursing-facility level-of-care screening through your county Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) if you're 21 or older. For applicants under 21, the screening runs through the NJ Division of Disability Services at 1-888-285-3036.
You can start both at once. Beginning only one and assuming the other will follow is the most common reason a long-term-care application stalls.
What documents you'll need
The exact list depends on your situation, but most applicants should gather:
- Proof of identity and Social Security numbers for everyone applying
- Proof of income (pay stubs, benefit award letters, pension or Social Security statements)
- Proof of New Jersey residency
- Immigration or citizenship documentation
- For ABD and long-term-care applicants, asset records (bank statements, property, and any transfers in the last five years)
Having these ready before you start prevents the back-and-forth that delays a decision.
After you apply: what to expect
After you submit, the agency reviews your application and may ask for more documents. Standard Medicaid applications take several weeks, and a case that requires a disability determination can take longer. For long-term care, the clinical screening and the financial review proceed in parallel. If you're approved, MAGI and most ABD members are enrolled in a managed care plan; long-term-care members enroll in an MLTSS plan that coordinates their services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Call a Health Benefits Coordinator at 1-800-701-0710 (TTY 711). They can take your application over the phone for free, with live translators. The line is open Monday and Thursday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Through the County Board of Social Services in the county where they live, not the online MAGI application. The County Board of Social Services handles aged, blind, disabled, and long-term-care cases, including the asset review and the look-back.
It's a two-track process. File the financial application with your County Board of Social Services, and complete the clinical nursing-facility level-of-care screening through your county Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC). Both run at the same time, and you need both to enroll in MLTSS.
No. New Jersey residents who receive Supplemental Security Income are automatically enrolled in NJ FamilyCare.
Standard Medicaid applications take several weeks. Cases that need a disability determination, or long-term-care cases with a full asset review and look-back, can take longer. Submitting complete documentation up front is the best way to avoid delay.
Learn More
- Your Guide to New Jersey Medicaid (NJ FamilyCare)
- New Jersey Medicaid Eligibility and Income Limits
- How to Qualify for Medicaid Without Going Broke
- How to Get Paid to Care for a Family Member in New Jersey
Find personalized help applying for New Jersey Medicaid 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.