SI NY01730.001 (New Jersey) Medicaid Eligibility - General

The New Jersey title XIX Medicaid program provides medical assistance to individuals who are "categorically needy" or "medically needy".

"Categorically needy" refers to individuals who receive cash assistance, i.e., Aid to Dependent Children or Supplemental Security Income or whose income and resources are below the standard to receive cash assistance.

"Medically needy" refers to an individual with income and resources too high to permit eligibility for cash assistance, but insufficient to meet medical expenses. Medically needy individuals may receive Medicaid through a unique system called "spend-down". "Spend-down" is the process of subtracting certain medical bills and health insurance premiums from the individual's income until that income is equal to the monthly income level.