Transferring Medicaid from Washington to New Jersey
Medicaid is not portable. The Washington program stops covering you when you move, and NJ FamilyCare starts only after you apply and qualify under New Jersey's rules. Apply in your first week; ask about retroactive coverage if you had medical bills during the gap.
Both states cover adults under expansion rules at 138% of the federal poverty level, so if you qualified on income in Washington, you will likely qualify in New Jersey too.
Official New Jersey Medicaid agency: New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services ↗ (application page)
Your step-by-step checklist
Before you move
- 1
Gather your documents before the move
You will reapply from scratch: proof of identity, income (pay stubs or award letters), your new address, and immigration documents if applicable.
- 2
Tell Washington State Health Care Authority you are leaving
Use Washington Healthplanfinder's 'Update my income or address/report change' function (linked from the HCA Apple Health pages) to report a move.
Washington State Health Care Authority ↗
Moving week
- 3
Time the closure to the end of your move month
Keep coverage through the month you travel. Your old state's coverage generally ends the month you stop being a resident.
After you arrive
- 4
Apply with New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services as soon as you arrive
There is no waiting period based on how long you have lived there — apply immediately. Processing: up to 45 days.
Online application ↗ - 5
Ask about retroactive coverage
Most states can cover eligible medical bills up to 3 months before your application date — ask when you apply if you had care during the gap.
Washington vs New Jersey: the numbers that decide it
| Washington (old state) | New Jersey (new state) | |
|---|---|---|
| Program name | Apple Health | NJ FamilyCare |
| Agency | Washington State Health Care Authority | New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services |
| ACA Medicaid expansion | Yes — adults covered on income | Yes — adults covered on income |
| Adult income limit | 138% of the federal poverty level | 138% of the federal poverty level |
Verified 2026-08-08 (Washington) and 2026-08-08 (New Jersey) against the official sources cited below.
Moving with more than one benefit?
The checklist generator merges Medicaid, SNAP, WIC, unemployment, and TANF into one ordered to-do list for this exact move.
Build the full Washington → New Jersey checklistCommon questions
Can I use my Washington Medicaid in New Jersey while I wait?
Generally no. Washington Medicaid only pays providers for Washington residents, and out-of-state care is limited to emergencies. Once you live in New Jersey, you need New Jersey coverage — apply immediately and ask about retroactive coverage for bills in the gap.
Is there a waiting period for Medicaid in New Jersey?
No. States cannot impose a minimum-residency waiting period. You qualify (or not) on New Jersey's income and category rules from the day you become a resident. The application itself takes up to 45 days.
Can I have Medicaid in two states at once?
No. You can only receive Medicaid from the state where you live. Keeping an old case open while opening a new one can create repayment problems — close the Washington case effective your move month.
Where do I actually apply in New Jersey?
Through New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services (online application linked above). Official Medicaid pages for both states are cited at the bottom of this page.
Related guides
Official sources
Every fact above was checked against these official pages. Last verified.
- HCA — Apple Health (Medicaid) coverage — accessed 2026-08-08
- HCA — Apple Health for individual adults — accessed 2026-08-08
- NJ FamilyCare — Who is eligible — accessed 2026-08-08
- NJ FamilyCare home — accessed 2026-08-08