Changes to NJ FamilyCare/Medicaid | What You Need to Know
Why this is happening: the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA)
New federal rules, signed into law by President Trump, are changing who qualifies for NJ FamilyCare/Medicaid based on immigration status. Some lawfully present noncitizens will no longer qualify for coverage after September 30, 2026, even if they had Medicaid for years under previous federal rules.
Most non-citizens enrolled in NJ FamilyCare/Medicaid will not be impacted. Children and pregnant people will remain eligible, regardless of immigration status. To see which immigration statuses still qualify for Medicaid, visit the NJ Division of Medical Assistance & Health Services subpage here: https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/dmahs/obbba/noncitizen.shtml.
What to expect
NJ FamilyCare will mail a “Non-citizen Initial Letter” in July 2026 to every member whose records do not clearly confirm they qualify under the new rules. If you get one of these letters, it does not necessarily mean your coverage is ending — NJ FamilyCare just needs more information from you. But if you do not respond, your coverage will end on September 30, 2026.
For anyone who does not qualify under the new rules, NJ FamilyCare/Medicaid coverage will end on September 30, 2026. Coverage will remain fully active through that date — you should continue to use it for doctor visits, prescriptions, and any other healthcare services until then.
If you submit documents and NJ FamilyCare cannot finish reviewing them before September 30, your coverage will stay active until the review is complete. You will receive a letter with the outcome once a decision is made.
Example of Initial Letter
A letter does not mean you lost your coverage.
NJ FamilyCare sent letters to every adult member whose records did not clearly show they qualify. Many people who got one will keep their coverage. Some people who got one are U.S. citizens.
What it means: they need documents from you. If you send nothing, your coverage ends September 30, 2026.
Need help?
Call HMS at 1-833-635-7060 (TTY 711) and ask whether a letter was mailed to you. Ask for an interpreter, it’s free. If you got one and lost it, they will send another copy.
You can also bring your questions to any Henry J. Austin Health Center location and we will call with you.
Then the most useful thing you can do is update your address.
Letters are still going out, and NJ FamilyCare will mail you a decision later. If your address is old, you will miss both.
Update it at dmahs-nj.my.site.com/addressupdate. It takes about two minutes, and we can do it with you at the front desk.
A letter does not mean you lost your coverage.
NJ FamilyCare sent letters to every adult member whose records did not clearly show they qualify. Many people who got one will keep their coverage. Some people who got one are U.S. citizens.
What it means: they need documents from you. If you send nothing, your coverage ends September 30, 2026.
Need help?
Call HMS at 1-833-635-7060 (TTY 711) and ask whether a letter was mailed to you. Ask for an interpreter, it’s free. If you got one and lost it, they will send another copy.
You can also bring your questions to any Henry J. Austin Health Center location and we will call with you.
Then the most useful thing you can do is update your address.
Letters are still going out, and NJ FamilyCare will mail you a decision later. If your address is old, you will miss both.
Update it at dmahs-nj.my.site.com/addressupdate. It takes about two minutes, and we can do it with you at the front desk.
Get help from HJAHC
Assistance is available at any Henry J. Austin Health Center location. Email us to connect with a member of our staff, who will schedule a time to meet with you. Bring your letter and documents to your appointment. A staff member can guide you through the form and help you upload your documents. We will return your documents when we are done and will not keep copies.
Free, confidential, and available in your language.
How to act
Update your address now so the letter reaches you. Update your address at: https://dmahs-nj.my.site.com/addressupdate/
If you receive a notice, submit your documents through HMS NJ FamilyCare has partnered with HMS, a Texas-based company, to collect and process immigration and citizenship documents for this review. When you receive your letter, it will include a response form and instructions.
The process for document submission is as follows:
Step 1:
Complete the form included with your letter.
Step 2:
Gather copies of your documents. Do not send originals. Submit as many documents as possible — more documentation helps NJ FamilyCare verify your status faster. An Immigration Document Guide listing accepted documents for each qualifying category is available in multiple languages at https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/dmahs/obbba/noncitizen.shtml
Step 3:
Submit your documents. Documents can be submitted in three ways:
1. Online (preferred): Upload at www.VerifyOS.com. Log in with your reference number (top-right corner of your letter) and date of birth.
2. Fax: Fax documents directly to HMS at +1 877-223-8478
3. Mail: Mail copies of documents to PO Box 165308, Irving, TX 75016-9923.
And whether or not you got a letter — update your address
NJ FamilyCare will mail you a decision. If your address is out of date, you won’t see it. Update at dmahs-nj.my.site.com/addressupdate
Please allow 3-5 business days for receipt.
You can also have a trusted person such as a family member, lawyer, or community advocate help you respond or enviar documents. You do not have to pay someone to help you. Help from Legal Services of New Jersey is available by phone at 1-833-576-5776 (TTY: 711) for free. You can also contact Henry J. Austin Health Center for assistance.
If you think you should have received a Non-citizen Initial Letter but did not, call the HMS hotline at 1-833-635-7060 (TTY: 711) to find out if one was sent. You can also call the HMS hotline for another copy if you lost your letter.
Don’t wait.
Submit as soon as possible after receiving your letter. After submitting, allow at least 30 days for NJ FamilyCare to complete its review. You will receive a letter notifying your eligibility or requesting more documentation.
NJ FamilyCare will never charge you to submit documents.
Other free help
| Resource | Contacte con |
|---|---|
HMS: questions about your letter or how to submit your documents | 1-833-635-7060 (TTY: 711) |
Legal Services of New Jersey (LSNJ HealthLine): questions about understanding eligibility or assistance documenting your status | 1-833-576-5776 (TTY: 711) www.lsnjlawhotline.org |
Health Benefits Coordinator Call Center: questions about your health benefits | 1-800-701-0710 (TTY:711) |
If your coverage does end
You have options, and you are still our patient.
Get Covered New Jersey
Enroll by September 30 to avoid any gap in coverage. If you miss that date, you still have 60 days after September 30 — but don't wait. GetCovered.NJ.gov
Medical Emergency Payment Program (MEPP)
For New Jersey residents 19 and older who don't qualify because of immigration status. Covers emergency services, including labor and delivery.
You can apply again later
If your situation changes and you meet the requirements, you can reapply for Medicaid.
Henry J. Austin Health Center is not going anywhere
We care for people with or without insurance. Our sliding fee scale is based on what you can afford. October 1 does not change your place here.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
I got a letter. Did I lose my Medicaid?
No. Your coverage is fully active through September 30, 2026. The letter means NJ FamilyCare needs documents from you.
I'm a U.S. citizen — why did I get this?
Because your record didn’t clearly show it. Send your citizenship documents the same way. Your citizenship hasn’t changed.
What if I do nothing?
Coverage ends September 30, 2026.
What documents do I send?
Send as many as you have. More documentation helps NJ FamilyCare verify your status faster. The state’s Immigration Document Guide lists what’s accepted for each qualifying category.
Do I need a password for VerifyOS.com?
No. Log in with the reference number from your letter and your date of birth. If the site is hard to read, use your browser’s translate setting.
Can I send my whole family's papers together?
No. Each person’s documents go in their own envelope or their own fax.
Does it cost anything?
No. NJ FamilyCare never charges you to enviar documents, and you never have to pay anyone to help you. A family member, lawyer, or community advocate can help — so can we, free.
What if it's past the deadline when I send them?
Send them anyway. If NJ FamilyCare hasn’t finished reviewing by September 30, your coverage stays active until the review is done.
Will my kids lose coverage too?
Children under 19 are not affected by these rules, regardless of status. Each person is reviewed separately. Letters went to adult members.
How long does the review take?
Allow at least 30 días. Check status at VerifyOS.com or call HMS.
Can HJAHC tell me if I qualify?
No, only NJ FamilyCare can. We can help you enviar, and LSNJ can give free legal advice.
What if I lose coverage on October 1?
Enroll through Get Covered New Jersey by September 30 to avoid any gap, and if you miss that, you still have 60 days after September 30. MEPP covers emergencies including labor and delivery for people 19+. You can also reapply for Medicaid later if your situation changes. And Henry J. Austin Health Center will keep seeing you on our sliding fee scale.
I moved. What do I do?
Update your address at dmahs-nj.my.site.com/addressupdate right away, so your decision letter reaches you.