More than 10,000 New Jerseyans urged to respond to NJ FamilyCare notices after losing coverage
TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey Human Services is urging nearly 10,400 people who lost NJ FamilyCare coverage Oct. 1 under new federal Medicaid eligibility rules to submit requested information as soon as possible because they may still qualify for coverage.
The department sent letters in July to 23,633 non-citizens whose records required review under new federal requirements. As of Monday, the state had not received responses from 10,399 of those individuals.
Because the requested information was not received, those individuals lost coverage Oct. 1, according to Human Services. However, state officials said some may still qualify for NJ FamilyCare if they provide documentation showing they meet the new eligibility requirements.
“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.”
The changes are part of the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law by President Donald Trump in July 2025. Beginning Oct. 1, certain non-citizen adults may no longer qualify for federally funded Medicaid based on their immigration status. New Jersey’s Medicaid program is known as NJ FamilyCare.
The new eligibility requirements do not affect most non-citizen NJ FamilyCare members. Most lawful permanent residents, children, pregnant individuals and certain other groups may continue to qualify depending on their circumstances, according to Human Services.
“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.”
Among those 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 into an eligible category, according to the department.
“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.”
Eligibility depends on each person’s circumstances, and NJ FamilyCare will make the final determination. People who received a notice are being asked to follow the instructions and submit the requested documentation.
Those who received a termination notice may still submit proof of qualifying immigration status. NJ FamilyCare’s termination notice states that if the information is not received within 90 days of the termination date, a person seeking coverage would have to reapply and could experience a gap in coverage.
People with questions about a notice can contact the NJ FamilyCare/HMS hotline at 1-833-635-7060. TTY service is available by dialing 711.
People who are no longer eligible for NJ FamilyCare may still qualify for health insurance through Get Covered New Jersey or may seek care at New Jersey clinics that accept patients without insurance and regardless of immigration status.
