NJ WorkAbility

Is It Right for You?

Medicaid, also called NJ FamilyCare, is government-funded health coverage for people in certain situations. You may qualify if you:

• Have low income, no matter how much you have in resources or whether you have a disability. Learn more about income-based Medicaid.
• Get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits or qualify for SSI’s 1619(b) rule, which helps people who used to get SSI. In either case, you automatically get Medicaid coverage and don’t need to worry about the rules discussed here. Learn more in DB101’s SSI article.
• Have low income, low resources, and a disability. Learn more about disability-based Medicaid.
• Have a disability and work, even if your income is higher. Medicaid's NJ WorkAbility program is explained on this page.

Answer the questions on this page to see if you might qualify for NJ WorkAbility. If so, it’s a good option to consider because it lets you earn a lot more money and still get Medicaid’s comprehensive coverage.

Note: Some NJ WorkAbility rules changed on April 1, 2023. For example, the resource limit was removed, so now you can save up more money and don't have to worry about losing coverage!

Do You Meet NJ WorkAbility’s Basic Requirements?

To qualify for NJ WorkAbility, you must:

• Live in New Jersey
• Be 16 years old or older
• Have a permanent disability
• Be working, and
• Be a U.S. citizen or meet specific noncitizen requirements.

If you live in New Jersey, are at least 16 years old, working, have a disability, and are either a U.S. citizen or a non-citizen who qualifies, NJ WorkAbility might be an option for you.

Medicaid’s rules for immigrants:

• Undocumented immigrants do not qualify for full Medicaid coverage, but they may qualify for Medicaid coverage for emergency services.
• Most immigrants who have been lawfully present for less than five years do not qualify for full Medicaid coverage. However, they may qualify for private coverage subsidized by the government.
• Immigrants who have been lawfully present for five years or longer and some other noncitizens who meet specific noncitizen requirements qualify for the same programs that U.S. citizens can get.

Do You Have a Disability That Meets Social Security’s Standards?

To qualify for NJ WorkAbility, you must have a disability that meets Social Security’s definition of disability. For adults, Social Security says you have a disability if:

• You have a physical or mental impairment or combination of impairments, and
• Your condition has lasted or is expected to last for at least 12 months.

Note: For NJ WorkAbility, Social Security’s disability rules related to earned income do not apply.

If you currently get disability benefits, like Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you already meet Social Security’s disability standards. If not, New Jersey's Disability Determination Service (DDS) checks to see if your disability qualifies for Medicaid.

If you already have a disability determination from Social Security or think that your disability meets Social Security’s standards, NJ WorkAbility might be an option for you.

Is Your Income Below NJ WorkAbility’s Income Limits?

NJ WorkAbility has two income limits: an Unearned Income Threshold and a Total Earned Income Potential level.

• Unearned Income Threshold: Your unearned income must be at or below $1,215 per month for individuals ($1,644 for couples).
  • Note: The NJ WorkAbility program does not count Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Railroad Retirement System benefits as income, if they are based on your own work history .
• Total Earned Income Potential: If you do not have unearned income, your earned income must be at or below $73,692 per year for individuals ($99,396 for eligible couples where both people qualify for NJ WorkAbility).
  • Note: If you have unearned income, the maximum earned income level will be lower.

Get more information about the NJ WorkAbility income limits. If you have any questions, call the Division of Disability Services (DDS) at 1-888-285-3036.

If you meet all requirements, you should apply for NJ WorkAbility.

How to Apply

You can apply for Medicaid's NJ WorkAbility program:

• Online using NJ FamilyCare Quickstart, or
• At an outreach and enrollment site in your county.

NJ FamilyCare lists the information and documents you may need when you apply. For help with your application, talk with a Health Benefits Coordinator at 1-800-701-0710 or 1-800-701-0720 (TTY).

Staying on NJ WorkAbility

Usually, once approved for NJ WorkAbility, you continue to qualify as long as your situation doesn’t change. If your income, immigration status, residency, disability status, or household size changes, let your county Board of Social Services know within 10 days of the change. You can do this in person, by phone, or by email.