State Medicaid Waiver Directory
Find your state's Katie Beckett waiver, TEFRA pathway, HCBS programs, and Medicaid eligibility rules for children and adults with disabilities. Each guide covers waitlists, application steps, income limits, and parent caregiver pay options.
For informational purposes only — not legal, medical, or financial advice. Medicaid rules, eligibility, and waitlists change frequently. Always verify with your state's official Medicaid agency before making decisions. Cross-check with Medicaid.gov's official waiver page.
New Jersey
Program Overview
Overview
New Jersey runs its disability services through a single 1115 demonstration (the NJ FamilyCare Comprehensive Waiver) plus the Division of Developmental Disabilities. Children who meet a nursing-home level of care can qualify based only on the child's income through MLTSS.
Katie Beckett or similar pathway
New Jersey does not have a Katie Beckett or TEFRA pathway. Children who meet a nursing-home level of care can qualify for Medicaid Managed Long Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) through the NJ FamilyCare Comprehensive 1115 waiver based only on the child's income. Children with intellectual or developmental disabilities may also qualify for the Children's Support Services Program, and a split-application option is available for children with a non-disabled sibling.
Child-relevant waivers
The NJ FamilyCare Comprehensive 1115 waiver (with MLTSS for those meeting nursing-facility level of care) is the main route. Children with I/DD can receive targeted services through the Children's Support Services Program via PerformCare/NJ Children's System of Care.
Eligibility
Who qualifies
DDD serves individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are Medicaid-eligible.
Financial and income rules
New Jersey Medicaid financial eligibility applies. DDD enrollment has its own criteria.
Level of care
Level-of-care criteria are established through DDD eligibility and planning.
Age rules
DDD enrollment can begin in childhood. Transition planning occurs around age 21.
Getting Started
How to apply
Contact New Jersey DDD for enrollment and waiver applications.
Documents needed
Disability documentation, DDD eligibility determination, and financial information are typically required.
Waitlist information
New Jersey DDD programs have historically had significant waitlists for certain services.
Practical next step
Contact New Jersey DDD and begin the enrollment and eligibility determination process.
Services & Support
Services available
DDD waivers can cover residential services, day programs, supported employment, respite, and in-home supports.
Parent caregiver pay
Families eligible for nursing or personal care services may be paid to provide personal care through the Personal Preference Program, and New Jersey has approved a Family Home Health Aide program that lets parents provide both personal and skilled care.
Equipment exchange & assistive technology
Assistive Technology Advocacy Center / AT4NJ (at4nj.org) — free device demonstrations, short-term loans, reuse programs, and low-interest AT financing statewide.
Mental health and Medicaid coverage
New Jersey Medicaid covers behavioral health services through managed care organizations (MCOs). Covered services include outpatient therapy, psychiatric evaluations, medication management, crisis services, and community support. The Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) oversees public behavioral health and funds community mental health centers. Children's System of Care (CSOC) provides mental health, substance use, and crisis services for children and youth under 21. Families can access CSOC through the PerformCare referral line.
Additional notes
Enrolling with DDD as early as possible is important because eligibility determination and service planning can take considerable time, and some services have waitlists.
Sources
Recent news for New Jersey
Lakewood Scoop · October 10, 2026 · Education
An administrative law judge ordered a school district to pay for private tuition and provide retroactive special education services to a student.
Community Tips & Experience
Comments reflect the personal experiences and opinions of individual community members only. They do not represent the views, positions, or endorsements of National Disability Resource Project or any of its staff, volunteers, or affiliated members. Always verify information with official agencies and qualified professionals before making decisions.
Sign in to share your experience
Nicole Cillo Nash
4/22/2026DDD benefits for those who qualify typically start at age 21. We moved to the state when my son was 8 and didn’t qualify for SSI or Medicaid due to our income, but we did qualify for Respite Care (we chose the self hire option). Respite services are part of the Family Support Services provided by the NJ Department of Children and Families’ (DCF) Children’s System of Care (CSOC), and PerformCare is the contracted provider (1-877-652-7624). To my understanding this is not income based. Then when my son turned 18 he qualified for PPP, which I believe came through him qualifying for Medicaid. We had to get a script from his doctor which we them submitted to Medcaid & a nurse came to our home to do an assessment of his needs. Then they qualify for a budget that you can then use to hire someone to care for the individual, but often parents can become their caregiver and get paid.
Nicole Cillo Nash
4/22/2026DDD benefits for those who qualify typically start at age 21. We moved to the state when my son was 8 and didn’t qualify for SSI or Medicaid due to our income, but we did qualify for Respite Care (we chose the self hire option). Respite services are part of the Family Support Services provided by the NJ Department of Children and Families’ (DCF) Children’s System of Care (CSOC), and PerformCare is the contracted provider (1-877-652-7624). To my understanding this is not income based. Then when my son turned 18 he qualified for PPP, which I believe came through him qualifying for Medicaid. We had to get a script from his doctor which we them submitted to Medcaid & a nurse came to our home to do an assessment of his needs. Then they qualify for a budget that you can then use to hire someone to care for the individual, but often parents can become their caregiver and get paid.
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