With no tax on Social Security benefits and convenient access to beaches, coastal pines and scenic highways, New Jersey is an attractive destination for retirees. Hackensack University Medical Center and Morristown Medical Center are nationally ranked in three specialties, and residents who need highly specialized care can easily travel to NYU Langone Hospitals or the Hospitals of the University of Pennsylvania. For seniors who need extra help at home, New Jersey has average monthly costs of $5,529 for in-home care and $5,710 for home health care.
This guide covers the cost of home care in New Jersey, explains some of your financial options and includes a directory of resources to help you get the care you need.
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Seniors in New Jersey can expect to pay an average of $5,529 per month for in-home care and $5,710 per month for home health care, according to the Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey. In-home care refers to nonclinical care, such as light housekeeping or help with activities of daily living, and home health care refers to clinical care provided by a licensed health professional. Physical therapy, administration of intravenous medications and wound care are examples of home health services.
When it comes to the cost of home care, New Jersey is the most expensive state in the region. New York has average monthly costs of $5,339 per month for in-home care and $5,529 for home health care. Delaware has average monthly costs of $5,339 for both in-home care and home health services. Pennsylvania has the lowest costs, averaging $4,957 per month for both types of home care. New Jersey’s average costs are also higher than the national average, which comes in at $4,957 per month for in-home care and $5,148 per month for home health care.
| Home Care | Home Health Care | |
| New Jersey | $5,529 | $5,710 |
| National | $4,957 | $5,148 |
| Pennsylvania | $4,957 | $4,957 |
| New York | $5,339 | $5,529 |
| Delaware | $5,339 | $5,339 |
When compared to other types of senior care, home care is one of the most affordable. In New Jersey, nursing home care costs an average of $11,254 per month, and assisted living averages $6,495 per month. Adult day health care costs an average of $1,950 per month, making it the most affordable option, but an adult day center may not provide the right level of support for every senior.
In New Jersey, Medicaid covers clinical and nonclinical home care. Many enrollees receive services through NJ FamilyCare’s Aged, Blind and Disabled programs, which cover home care for participants who need help with activities of daily living. New Jersey also has several Medicaid waiver programs, expanding access to in-home personal care.
Medicaid waivers give states some flexibility when determining which services should be covered. New Jersey has three waiver programs that make it easier for Medicaid enrollees to access home care: Community Choice, Managed Long-Term Services and Supports and the Personal Preference Program.
| Program Name | What’s Covered | Eligibility | How to Apply |
| Community Choice | The Community Choice program aims to help seniors remain in their homes instead of moving to residential facilities. It covers several types of in-home care. | – The program is reserved for applicants who are hospitalized or living in nursing homes. |
– Applicants are required to meet with a registered nurse or social worker to determine if their needs can be met by the Community Choice program.
– Applicants must be eligible for NJ FamilyCare.
– Applicants must need personal care services for a minimum of six months.
To qualify for Medicaid in New Jersey, you must meet the financial eligibility requirements established for the state’s Aged, Blind and Disabled programs. As of 2022, the income limit is $13,596 per year for a single person and $18,312 per year for a two-person household. Single applicants are limited to $4,000 in countable resources, and married couples are allowed to have $6,000 worth of countable resources.
| Income Limits* | Asset Limits | |
| Individual | $13,596 | $4,000 |
| Two-Person Household | $18,312 | $6,000 |
You must also meet certain residency and citizenship requirements to qualify for Medicaid coverage. If you apply for NJ FamilyCare, you need to be a New Jersey resident. The program is limited to U.S. citizens and lawful immigrants who meet all other eligibility requirements.
To apply for Medicaid, fill out the application on the NJ FamilyCare website. If you have questions or need help filling out the form, call (800) 701-0710.
What Information You Will Need
The Medicaid application has several questions related to your finances, so take a few minutes to gather tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements and other documents that can help you prove how much you earn or how much your assets are worth. You should also have your driver’s license, passport, birth certificate, Social Security card and/or citizenship papers available to help verify your residency, citizenship and identity.
How to Get Help Applying for Medicaid
New Jersey’s Medicaid application has several pages. If you need help making sense of it all, use one of the resources below to get more information or direct assistance from trained professionals.
| Resource | Contact | Service |
| GetCoveredNJ | Online | GetCoveredNJ has certified navigators available to help you determine if you meet the Medicaid eligibility requirements. If you don’t qualify for Medicaid, you can contact one of these navigators for help comparing the plans available on the state health insurance exchange. GetCoveredNJ has an online search tool to help you find a navigator in your area. |
| NJ FamilyCare | Online | NJ FamilyCare has outreach sites throughout the state to ensure that residents can get assistance with their Medicaid applications. To speak with a health benefits coordinator, use the NJ FamilyCare website to locate an outreach site near you. |
| NJHelps | Online | If you’re not sure that you qualify for Medicaid and don’t want to spend time filling out the application only to get denied, visit the NJHelps website to use the online screening tool. It takes just a few minutes to find out if you might be eligible for Medicaid coverage in New Jersey. |
Medicare doesn’t pay for non-medical home care, but it can cover the cost of the medical version of home care, called “Home Healthcare” in some situations. In order to be eligible, you need to be homebound and have a referral from your doctor for the specific type of medical care that is needed. There are also other restrictions that apply.
Below is an overview of some of the services typically covered by Medicare for those who are eligible:
As mentioned above, home care is distinctly different from home healthcare, but there is some overlap – so while Medicare doesn’t cover non-medical home care, there are personal care services that may be covered in special circumstances – such as an occupational therapist helping with eating or dressing.
Read our guide to Medicare and Home Care Coverage for more information.