Emergency Medical Assistance (Emergency Medicaid)
Emergency Medicaid provides financial support through the Medical Emergency Payment Program (MEPP) and State Medicaid to ensure that low-income residents can receive treatment during emergencies, regardless of immigration status or insurance coverage.
Medical Emergency Payment Program (MEPP)
MEPP covers emergency room and labor/delivery costs for residents who do not qualify for regular Medicaid or adults who have held a Green Card for less than 5 years.
Eligibility
- Immigration Status: New Jersey residents who do not meet the status requirements for U.S. citizenship or Lawful Permanent Residency (5-year bar), but otherwise meet the Medicaid income and asset eligibility criteria.
- Application Deadline: Application must be filed within 3 months of the date the emergency occurred.
- Scope of Coverage: Life-threatening emergencies, labor and delivery, and related inpatient costs.
- Monthly Income Limits (2026): Based on the 2026 federal poverty level, effective January 1, 2026 (NJ DHS MEPP / DMAHS Medicaid Communication 26-03).
- Adults (Ages 19-64): $1,835.40 per month (Single) / $2,488.60 per month (Family of 2) / $3,795 per month (Family of 4) — Based on 138% FPL
- Pregnant Women: $2,726.50 per month for a single-person household and $5,638 per month for a family of 4 (based on 205% of the FPL).
- Seniors (65+) / Disabled: Monthly income of $1,330 and an asset limit of $4,000 for a single-person household; for a two-person (couple) household, a monthly income of $1,804 applies, with a separate asset limit of $6,000 — Based on 100% FPL.
NJ FamilyCare & Cover All Kids
NJ Supplemental Prenatal and Contraceptive Program (NJSPCP)
- Target Population: Pregnant women who are ineligible for NJ FamilyCare due to their immigration status.
- Services Provided: Prenatal exams, contraceptive/family planning services. (Does not cover labor, delivery, or postpartum care)
- MEPP Linkage: As the due date approaches, you can apply for MEPP in advance through your prenatal care provider to cover labor and delivery costs.
*See Pregnancy Medicaid for more details.
WIC Supplemental Nutrition Program
The New Jersey Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides essential food and nutrition education to all low-income pregnant individuals. Managed by the State of New Jersey, this program operates independently from Medicaid and is available to those in need regardless of immigration status.
- Eligibility: Low-income pregnant and postpartum individuals, regardless of immigration status
- Benefits: Vouchers for essential nutritious foods (such as milk, eggs, and cheese) and professional nutrition education/counseling
- Key Note: Can be utilized alongside medical assistance programs such as NJSPCP. WIC is a supplemental initiative dedicated to supporting healthy pregnancies and infant development.
*See NJ Official WIC Program for more details.
Key Notes
- Eligibility Review: All enrollees must renew annually. If home address changes, the enrollee must contact 1-800-701-0710 to update records and prevent a lapse in coverage.
- Hospital Cooperation: Upon visiting an Emergency Room, patient or representative must clearly inform the hospital social worker or financial counselor of the intent to apply for MEPP.
- Post-Emergency Application: If an application was not completed at the hospital, the applicant must visit the local County Board of Social Services to submit an application within 3 months of the emergency.
Contact
- General Application & Counseling: NJ FamilyCare Hotline 1-800-701-0710
- MEPP (Emergency Payment): 1-800-356-1561
- Eligibility Self-Screening: NJHelps.govl
- Renewal & Status Checks: Stay Covered NJ
- AWCA provides expert consultations free of charge (201-862-1665 / info@awcanj.org)
Resources
