How to renew your New Jersey Medicaid coverage
Last verified: June 2026
Renewal notices come from NJ FamilyCare (New Jersey Medicaid)
Keep your contact information current on NJHelps.gov
How NJ FamilyCare renewals work
NJ FamilyCare operates on a 12-month continuous eligibility cycle for most enrollees. When your renewal period arrives, DMAHS first attempts ex parte renewal — an automated electronic check against data from the Social Security Administration, IRS, and New Jersey's state wage and employment records. No action is required from you if ex parte succeeds.
If the system confirms that your income and household composition still meet eligibility requirements, you receive a notice stating your coverage has been renewed. Simple as that.
When you need to take action
Ex parte doesn't always work. If DMAHS can't confirm your eligibility through automated data sources — because your income changed, your household situation shifted, or data systems returned incomplete results — a renewal packet is mailed to you with a response deadline.
Missing that deadline is the most common reason people lose NJ FamilyCare coverage unnecessarily. The renewal form itself is usually straightforward: confirm your household members, current income, and address. Return it by the deadline printed on the form.
You can also complete your renewal online at NJHelps.gov or by calling 1-800-701-0710.
What happened during the 2023–2024 unwinding
During the COVID-19 public health emergency (March 2020 to March 2023), federal law prohibited states from disenrolling Medicaid enrollees. When that protection ended, states resumed normal renewals — a process referred to as the "unwinding." CMS and KFF tracked widespread coverage losses nationally during 2023 and 2024.
New Jersey's managed care infrastructure meant the administrative processing was more orderly than in many states, but NJ was not immune to coverage losses from returned mail, outdated contact information, and administrative errors. If you or a family member lost NJ FamilyCare during 2023 or 2024 and believe it was a mistake, you can reapply at NJHelps.gov — prior coverage gaps don't affect future eligibility.
Checklist: keeping your NJ FamilyCare coverage active
- Log in to NJHelps.gov at least once a year to review your account information
- Update your mailing address immediately if you move
- Respond to any mail from DMAHS or your county Board of Social Services
- Report major income changes (new job, job loss, significant raise) within 10 days
- Report household changes: marriage, divorce, birth, or family members moving in or out
- Submit requested documents by the deadline on your renewal notice
- Call 1-800-701-0710 if you receive a notice you don't understand
What if coverage is terminated incorrectly?
You have appeal rights. If DMAHS terminates or reduces your NJ FamilyCare coverage and you disagree, you can request a fair hearing through the Office of Administrative Law. Request the hearing within 20 days of the notice if you want coverage to continue during the appeal (sometimes called "aid pending" continuation). After 90 days, you can still appeal but continuation of benefits is not guaranteed.
Free legal assistance is available through New Jersey Legal Services if you need help navigating a fair hearing.
Post-pandemic coverage losses: the 2023–2024 unwinding
How to complete your renewal
When NJ FamilyCare (New Jersey Medicaid) sends a renewal notice, here's what to do:
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1
Read the notice carefully
Identify exactly what the agency is asking for and the deadline to respond. Renewal packets may ask you to confirm your current income, household size, or address.
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2
Update your information
If anything has changed — income, address, phone number, household members — report it now. Outdated contact information is the leading cause of missed renewal notices.
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3
Submit the renewal online, by phone, or by mail
NJ FamilyCare (New Jersey Medicaid)'s online portal is typically the fastest way to complete a renewal. You may also call the enrollment line or mail in your completed packet.
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4
Confirm your coverage continued
After submitting, confirm you receive a notice that coverage was renewed. If you don't hear back within a few weeks, call NJ FamilyCare (New Jersey Medicaid) to verify your status.
If your renewal is denied
A denial must state the reason in writing and explain your right to appeal. You have 90 days from the date of the notice to request a fair hearing. File the appeal quickly — if you appeal before your coverage ends, you may be able to continue coverage during the appeal period, though this depends on timing and the reason for denial.
Common renewal denials include: income that increased above the threshold, failure to respond to the renewal packet, a change in household size that affects eligibility, or immigration status questions. Some of these can be addressed by reapplying with updated information rather than appealing.
Contact NJ FamilyCare (New Jersey Medicaid) within the 90-day window. A reconsideration or new application filed promptly can often restore coverage retroactively to the date it was lost.
Keeping your account information up to date
The most effective way to avoid renewal problems is to report changes promptly. Federal rules require Medicaid enrollees to report changes that may affect eligibility within a specified period — typically 10 to 30 days depending on the state.
Changes to report: new job or income change, move to a new address, change in household size (new baby, someone moves in or out), gaining or losing other health coverage. Contact NJ FamilyCare (New Jersey Medicaid) or update your information through the online portal at https://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/dmahs/home/.