Benefits for Young People

NJ WorkAbility Eligibility for Young People

If you get a job and are either making too much money or have saved up too much money to get Medicaid, you might qualify for Medicaid's NJ WorkAbility program program. NJ WorkAbility offers the same coverage as standard Medicaid, but you may have to pay a monthly premium to keep your coverage.

To qualify for NJ WorkAbility, you must:

Note: NJ WorkAbility used to have an income limit and a resource limit. The rules have changed and since February 1, 2024, there are no more limits!

NJ WorkAbility’s monthly premium

If your countable income is less than 250% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines ($3,138 per month), there is no monthly premium for NJ WorkAbility coverage. Countable income only counts about half of your earned income. If you have no unearned income, you could actually make as much as $76,332 per year at a job and still not pay a premium!

If your income is higher than 250% of FPG, there's a monthly premium that is $175 per month or higher, depending on how much income you have. Get more information about the premium.

Example

Freddy has no unearned income and makes $5,960 per month at his job. He makes way too much money for Medicaid, so his county worker tells him to apply for NJ WorkAbility.

When the county reviews his application, it calculates that Freddy has $2,938 in countable income, so he can get NJ WorkAbility without paying a monthly premium, because his income is below 250% of FPG.

How to Apply for NJ WorkAbility

Before you apply, NJHelps lets you get an anonymous estimate of whether you are eligible for Medicaid's NJ WorkAbility program or other state and federal programs.

You can apply for Medicaid's NJ WorkAbility program:

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).

If you don't qualify for Medicaid's NJ WorkAbility program, you may be able to get private insurance subsidized by the government through tax credits.

Learn more about NJ WorkAbility in DB101’s How Health Benefits Work article.

Learn more