New Jersey Medicaid & Elder Care
New Jersey's Managed Long Term Services & Supports (MLTSS) program provides comprehensive home and community-based care for seniors requiring a nursing home level of care, utilizing Miller Trusts for income over the cap.
Medicaid Report Card
Overall State Performance Index
Based on CMS Nursing Home Compare + state Medicaid agency data
View Methodology arrow_forwardNew Jersey Monthly Costs
A direct comparison of New Jersey senior care costs to the national average was not explicitly found; however, long-term care in New Jersey can exceed $65,000 per year.
Waiver Programs
Managed Long Term Services and Supports
Also called: NJ FamilyCare Comprehensive Demonstration, Comprehensive Waiver
MLTSS delivers long-term services and supports through New Jersey Medicaid's NJ FamilyCare managed care program. It expands home and community-based services, promoting community inclusion and ensuring quality care for seniors and individuals with disabilities, allowing them to remain at home or in assisted living rather than a nursing facility.
- check_circle Care Management
- check_circle Home and Vehicle Modifications
- check_circle Home Delivered Meals
- check_circle Respite
- check_circle Personal Emergency Response Systems
- check_circle Mental Health and Addiction Services
- check_circle Assisted Living
- check_circle Community Residential Services
- check_circle Nursing Home Care
- check_circle Personal Care
- check_circle Adult Day Health
insights Program Snapshot
- Functional criterion
- Nursing Home Level of Care (NHLOC)
- Administered by
- New Jersey Department of Human Services (through Managed Care Organizations)
- Recertification
- Annual
- Program Type
- Entitlement, Managed Care
2026 Eligibility Requirements
| Criteria | Individual Limit | Married (Both Applying) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Income | $2,982 | $5,964 |
| Asset Limit | $2,000 | $4,000 |
| Home Equity Limit | $1,130,000 | |
| Level of Care | Nursing Home Level of Care (NHLOC) | |
Estate Recovery Warning
New Jersey's Medicaid Estate Recovery Program is aggressive, seeking to recoup costs from the estates of deceased recipients, including placing liens on homes, though recovery is delayed for surviving spouses or permanently disabled children.
Spend-Down & Asset Protection
PROTECTED ASSETS
COMMON PITFALLS
- warning Look-back Period: Gifts or asset transfers made within 60 months prior to applying for Medicaid can trigger heavy penalties and periods of ineligibility.
- warning Excess Income: Failing to establish a Qualified Income Trust (Miller Trust) if monthly income exceeds the state's income cap will result in denial of long-term care Medicaid benefits.
- warning Joint Accounts: The full balance of joint bank accounts is often counted as the applicant's asset, potentially pushing them over the asset limit.
First Steps for Families
Locate your ADRC
Contact your local New Jersey Aging and Disability Resource Center.
Gather 5 years of records
Bank statements, deeds, asset transfers for the Medicaid look-back period.
Financial assessment
Consult a Medicaid planner if assets exceed $2,000.
Resource Contact
New Jersey Department of Human Services - Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services
How to Apply for New Jersey Long-Term Care Medicaid
Assess Level of Care
Obtain medical certification of the need for a Nursing Home Level of Care (NHLOC) through a functional assessment.
Gather Records
Collect comprehensive financial statements for the 60-month look-back period, along with income, medical, identity, and property verification documents.
Setup Miller Trust
If monthly income exceeds the Medicaid cap, establish a Qualified Income Trust (Miller Trust) to deposit excess income and meet eligibility criteria.
Submit Application
Apply for NJ FamilyCare (Medicaid) through your local County Social Service Agency or Area Agency on Aging/Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC).
Interviews
Participate in required caseworker interviews and functional assessments to determine clinical and financial eligibility.
Approval & Care
Upon approval, benefits are activated, and services are coordinated through a Managed Care Organization (MCO).
Documents You'll Need
Financial Verification
- 60 months of bank statements
- Stock/bond certificates
- Retirement account information
- Life insurance policies
- Pre-need burial contracts
Income Verification
- Social Security award letters
- Pension stubs
- VA benefit statements
- Property income statements
Medical/Identity
- Social Security card
- Medicare card
- Doctor's clinical assessments
- Proof of disability (if applicable)
Property/Residency
- Home deed
- Vehicle registration
- Proof of New Jersey residency
Frequently Asked Questions About New Jersey Medicaid
Does New Jersey Medicaid pay for assisted living?
Yes, New Jersey Medicaid, through its Managed Long Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) program, covers assisted living services for eligible seniors who require a nursing home level of care. While MLTSS covers the care services provided in assisted living facilities, it generally does not cover the costs of room and board.
What is the New Jersey Medicaid income limit for seniors in 2026?
For 2026, a single senior applicant for New Jersey's long-term care Medicaid, primarily through the MLTSS program, must have a monthly income of $2,982 or less. If an applicant's income exceeds this amount, they must establish a Qualified Income Trust (Miller Trust) to become income-eligible.
How long is the HCBS waiver waitlist in New Jersey?
New Jersey's primary program for home and community-based services for seniors, Managed Long Term Services and Supports (MLTSS), operates as an entitlement program. This means that eligible individuals do not face a traditional waitlist for program entry, unlike some older waiver programs that had limited slots.
Will Medicaid take my parent's house in New Jersey?
New Jersey Medicaid may place a lien on a recipient's home to recover care costs after their death as part of its estate recovery program. However, recovery is typically delayed if a surviving spouse or permanently disabled child continues to reside in the home. The home is generally exempt during the recipient's lifetime up to a home equity limit of $1,130,000 in 2026.
Can I be paid to care for my parent through New Jersey Medicaid?
Yes, New Jersey's Managed Long Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) program offers options for participant-directed services. This allows eligible seniors to hire their own caregivers, which can include family members, for certain home-based supportive care services. A care manager works with the individual to develop a personalized care plan.
Medicaid vs Medicare for long-term care in New Jersey?
Medicare is a federal health insurance program primarily for medical treatment and short-term rehabilitation, generally not covering long-term custodial care. New Jersey Medicaid (NJ FamilyCare), on the other hand, is a state and federally funded program that covers long-term care, including nursing home stays and home/community-based services like MLTSS, for those meeting strict financial and medical eligibility. Many New Jersey seniors are 'dual eligible' for both programs.
TOPICAL GUIDES — HOW MEDICAID WORKS
EXPLORE NEW JERSEY
Last updated: April 24, 2026. Sources: New Jersey Department of Human Services - Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services, CMS Nursing Home Compare, Genworth 2024 Cost of Care Survey. Eligibility rules are set by each state Medicaid agency and update annually. We cite the agency name, statute, or CMS data source for every figure on this page; see our methodology and editor.