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DHS Screener - English

Check if the new Medicaid rules apply to you

Answer a few questions to find out if you need to complete additional activities to keep your health care coverage

How long it will take: 10 minutes or less

This tool is not an application or renewal

You'll still have to fill out your NJ FamilyCare (Medicaid) renewal application when you receive it.

We'll tell you whether you may have to complete more activities to keep your NJ FamilyCare coverage.

How this tool can help you:

  1. Answer questions about your health, family, and current work and study

  2. Learn whether the new rules apply to you, and how to stay covered

  3. Start preparing for your next NJ FamilyCare renewal 

We care about your data privacy

This tool won't collect or share any answers you provide with anyone. 

Family and caregiving

Pregnancy and caregiving responsibilities may mean you are exempt from the new rules

Are you pregnant, or have you been pregnant in the last 12 months? This includes if you have given birth, or if your pregnancy ended for any other reason.
Are you a parent or primary caregiver for a child or for an adult with special needs? This includes if you are a primary caregiver for a child who is age 13 or younger, or a person with a disability or chronic health condition who needs significant, regular care and help with daily tasks.

If you care for a dependent child who is 14 years or older, you may have to meet activity requirements to continue NJ FamilyCare coverage.

Assistance programs

Because programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) already have work rules, being enrolled in them can automatically verify that you meet the requirements for NJ FamilyCare.

Are you enrolled in SNAP (food assistance) or TANF (cash assistance)?
Are you already meeting work requirements for SNAP or TANF?

Health and disability

If a physical or mental health condition limits your ability to work, you are likely exempt from the 80-hour a month activity requirement.

Do you have a health condition or disability that limits your ability to work? This includes physical illness, mental health issues, or enrollment in a substance use program.
Are you a disabled Veteran?
Do you have a 100% (total) disability rating?

If you are a Veteran with a 100% (total) disability rating, the NJ FamilyCare activity rules do not apply to you. If your rating is lower, but you have a health condition that limits your ability to work, the NJ FamilyCare activity requirements may not apply to you. Learn more about Veteran disability ratings

American Indian and Native American Tribes

Tribal members are exempt from new activity requirements.

Are you a member of a federally recognized Tribe?

Former foster youth

If you were in foster care when you turned 18, you may qualify for an exemption.

Were you in foster care on or after your 18th birthday? Applicable only if you are currently age 25 or younger.

New Jersey provides specific exemptions for young adults who were in the foster care system at or after age 18 so that they receive health care coverage through age 25.

You will need to include your exemption on your upcoming renewal

Based on your answers, you may not have to report activity hours to keep receiving health coverage. This is called “being exempt.”

You do not meet an exemption. Keep going.

Based on your answers, you probably do not qualify for an exemption.

The next section will help you check if you meet the required number of activity hours every month to keep your NJ FamilyCare coverage.

What are my exemptions?

✅ Caregivers: You're a parent or primary caregiver for a child under 14 or for a person with a disability
✅ Health condition: You have a physical and/or mental health condition that limits your ability to work
✅ Pregnant or Postpartum: You’re currently pregnant, had a pregnancy end within the past 12 months, or are within the 12-month postpartum period
✅ SNAP or TANF participation: You’re already following the work rules for other assistance programs (SNAP or TANF)
✅ Tribal member: You’re a member of a federally recognized Tribe
✅ Foster care: You’re 25 or under and were in foster care on your 18th birthday
✅ Veteran: You’re a Veteran with a 100% (total) disability rating

What you need to do next

  1. Keep your contact info updated

    If your address or phone number has changed, call 1-800-701-0710 (TTY:711) to update your records.

  2. Have your documents ready

    Keep a folder (digital or paper) with documents like:

    •  A doctor's note about a health condition

    • Proof of unemployment

    • Record of income

    • A VA Benefit Summary Letter

    • Birth certificates or caregiving records

  3. Check your mail often

    If you aren't renewed automatically, watch for a renewal from NJ FamilyCare in the postal mail.

  4. Complete your renewal application

    Fill out your renewal application with information about your exemptions. Return it as soon as possible.

Next step: Calculate your income and activity hours

  1. Estimate your income

    How much you make each month affects your coverage

  2. Count your activity hours

    Without an exemption, you will need to report a mix of work, education, training, and volunteering

  3. Learn how your results impact your coverage

    This tool can give you a general sense of how the requirements will apply to your situation

Tell us what you think!

Income

If you earn at least $580 each month, you already meet the requirements—even if you work less than 80 hours a month.

Is your average monthly income above $580 a month before taxes? This includes pre-tax wages from any jobs, as well as tips and self-employment.

Don’t include money from child support received, workers' compensation, Veterans' benefits, or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).

Education

Going to college or vocational training counts toward your monthly activity hours. Whether you are working toward a degree or learning a new trade, your time in educational programs helps you stay covered.

Are you currently a student in college or a vocational training program? Half-time generally refers to at least six credit hours per term, but may vary by institution.

Work hours

Any type of paid work helps you meet the new requirements. This includes full-time and part-time jobs, as well as self-employment (like gig work, freelancing, or owning your own small business).

Are you currently working?
On average, how many hours do you work in a week?
Clear

Training program hours

Job training and work readiness programs help you gain the skills needed for employment. If you are participating in a job training program to learn a new skill, those hours count toward your monthly total.

Are you enrolled in a job training program?
How many hours a week do you spend in training?
Clear

Volunteer hours

Volunteering your time is a great way to give back to the community and meet your requirements. Serving at a nonprofit organization counts as a qualifying activity.

Are you currently volunteering?
How many hours a week do you spend volunteering?
Clear

You may already be meeting the activity requirements

Based on your answers, the time you spend working, studying, or volunteering adds up to at least 80 hours per month, or your monthly income is more than $580. This is sometimes called "being compliant."

How am I meeting the activity requirements?

The following answers were used to determine you are meeting the activity requirements:

What to do next

  1. Update your contact info with NJ FamilyCare

    If your address or phone number has changed, call 1-800-701-0710 (TTY:711) to update your records.

  2. Continue logging 80 hours or more of approved activities

  3. Have your documents ready

    Keep a folder (digital or paper) with documents like:

    • Payment stubs for work

    • Enrollment records from your school's registrar

    • Job training completion documents

    • Signed volunteer logs

  4. Check your mail often

    If you receive a renewal from NJ FamilyCare (Medicaid), fill out and return the application as soon as possible.

  5. List your activity hours and income on your renewal

    Report the activities highlighted on this page on your renewal application in order to stay covered.

What information do I need to provide for activity requirements?

You’ll list your hours on your renewal application.

If NJ FamilyCare needs additional information to process your form, they may contact you to ask for additional documents that support your answers. This could include pay stubs, a letter from your school registrar, or a signed volunteer log.

You do not need to send these in now, but you should keep them in a safe place in case you receive a request from NJ FamilyCare after you complete your renewal.

You will need to complete more activity hours to stay covered

As of today, you are at risk of not being covered when the new rules take effect on January 1, 2027.

 

Based on your answers, you are currently completing less than 80 hours of activities per month.

What to do next

  1. Update your contact info with NJ FamilyCare

    If your address or phone number has changed, call 1-800-701-0710 (TTY:711) to update your records

  2. Explore ways to complete more hours each month

    Find opportunities to work, study, volunteer, or train for a job.

  3. Check your mail often

    If you receive a renewal from NJ FamilyCare (Medicaid), fill out and return the application as soon as possible.

  4. List your activity hours and income on your renewal

    Report the activities highlighted on this page on your NJ FamilyCare renewal application in order to stay covered.

What can I do to meet the remaining hours?

As per the new rules, you must complete 80 hours per month of any combination of the following:


  1. Employment: A paid job or self-employment
  2. Education: Being a student at least half-time in a college or vocational program
  3. Job training: Participating in a work training program
  4. Volunteering: Unpaid work for an agency or nonprofit organization

Where can I find work and volunteer opportunities?

New Jersey offers several programs to help you find work, training, or volunteer opportunities to reach your 80-hour goal each month:

  • One-Stop Career Centers: Get free help with job searches, applying for jobs and resume writing. Learn more about One-Stop Career Centers.
  • NJ SNAP E&T: If you receive food assistance, you may qualify for free job training programs that count toward your activity hours. Learn more about New Jersey’s SNAP program.
  • Volunteer NJ: Find nonprofit organizations in your area where you can serve your community. Learn more about the NJ Volunteer and National Service.

How will the new rules affect my renewal?

Starting January 1, 2027, you will be asked about your monthly hours every time you renew your NJ FamilyCare (Medicaid). You’ll need to confirm your hours of work, school or volunteering during your 6-month check-in. If you are not meeting the 80 hour goal by then, your health coverage could be at risk.

Tell us what you think!