On July 4, a new budget law was signed that makes changes over time to SNAP and Medicaid. This new law has different names (P.L. 119-21; H.R.1, OBBBA).

What has changed?

• If you currently receive SNAP, NJ FamilyCare, or other health insurance through GetCoveredNJ, continue using your benefits. Eligibility and rules for these programs have not yet changed, and many changes will not happen right away.
• If you think you qualify for SNAP or NJ FamilyCare benefits, apply!
• If you are denied or terminated, at this point it is generally not because of the changes in the federal budget. You still have the right to ask for a fair hearing. In many cases, you can ask for a fair hearing with continued benefits while your fair hearing is pending.

What You Should Know About Time Limits and Work Documentation Rules

• Both SNAP and NJ FamilyCare will have expanded work requirements.
• SNAP work documentation rules will take effect sooner than NJ FamilyCare.
• Many people will qualify for exemptions of the work requirements.
• It’s important that you use your health coverage and see your medical providers now, so that you can get medical documentation of a disability or other medical issue that exempts you from the work documentation and time limit rules.
• If you think you may lose a work requirement exemption, you may still be eligible for other exemptions. 

Information for Immigrants

• Some currently qualified immigrants with lawful status will lose eligibility for benefits, even though they are lawfully present in the United States. These changes have not yet gone into effect.
• If you need SNAP and Medicaid, these benefits are still available if you have a “qualified immigration status.”
• If you have adjusted immigration status to Lawful Permanent Resident, update your status with the SNAP or Medicaid agency.

For more information about these changes and about your rights as a SNAP or Medicaid recipient, you can find additional resources at:

National Immigration Law Center
Protecting Immigrant Families
Legal Services of New Jersey
NJ Office of the Attorney General
New Jersey Department of Human Services

This information last reviewed: Aug 5, 2025