If you or your family member is on NJ FamilyCare and needs a ramp, grab bars, or other accessibility work, New Jersey's long-term care program can help pay for it. NJ FamilyCare is New Jersey's Medicaid program, run by the Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services (DMAHS), part of the state Department of Human Services (DHS). The route for home modifications is called Managed Long Term Services and Supports (MLTSS).
What New Jersey offers#
MLTSS is NJ FamilyCare's managed long-term-services program for people who need nursing-facility level of care but want to stay in their own home. It operates under Section 1115 federal authority rather than the standalone 1915(c) waivers some other states use, but it works the same way for a family planning a modification: it is Medicaid-funded, home-based long-term care.
MLTSS covered services include home and vehicle modifications, based on assessed need. Other covered services include personal emergency response systems, home-delivered meals, respite care, and care management. A member's plan care manager reviews the request and authorizes the work as part of the member's overall plan of care.
Because New Jersey delivers MLTSS through managed care, every enrolled member selects an NJ FamilyCare MLTSS health plan. That plan, not the state directly, evaluates and approves home modification requests. This differs from states that run a standalone waiver with a state caseworker; in New Jersey, your plan's care manager is the person coordinating the modification.
Amounts and eligibility#
DMAHS does not publish a standard dollar cap for home or vehicle modifications on its public MLTSS pages. The care manager authorizes the amount and scope based on the member's individual plan of care. Anyone quoting a fixed statewide dollar limit is not using an official DMAHS source. Checked against MLTSS public pages, July 2026.
Financial eligibility for MLTSS requires meeting NJ FamilyCare's Medicaid rules for long-term services, including monthly income and total liquid asset tests. The county agency determines these figures case by case, and DMAHS consumer pages do not print a single dollar figure. The federal special income rule referenced across Medicaid waivers, generally up to 300% of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) federal benefit rate, may apply, but confirm your own number with your county office rather than relying on a generic figure.
The clinical gate is more concrete and worth knowing before you apply. MLTSS requires a nursing-facility level of care determination: hands-on help with three or more activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing, dressing, or transferring, or cognitive deficits that require supervision or cueing with three or more ADLs. This published standard lets families realistically self-assess before starting the process. Only DMAHS or the county determination process decides final eligibility; nothing here guarantees approval.
How to apply in New Jersey#
Adults 21 and older start by contacting their County Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC), also reachable through the county Area Agency on Aging or the county Board of Social Services. This office begins the clinical and financial assessment process for MLTSS.
For applicants under 21, contact the Division of Disability Services at 1-888-285-3036 instead. Younger applicants generally route through a different clinical pathway within the same MLTSS benefit structure.
Once approved, a member selects an NJ FamilyCare MLTSS health plan, and that plan assigns a care manager. The care manager conducts a home assessment, develops the plan of care, and authorizes specific modifications like ramps, grab bars, or bathroom accessibility changes.
No consumer waitlist figure is published for MLTSS enrollment. Timelines vary by county and by how quickly the clinical and financial assessments are completed, so avoid any resource that states a fixed number of weeks. For general help navigating the process, contact the New Jersey Division of Aging Services through the county ADRC network, or use the federal Eldercare Locator (eldercare.acl.gov, 1-800-677-1116) as a fallback.
How it stacks with federal programs#
If the person needing modifications is a veteran, check VA housing grants alongside NJ FamilyCare. Programs like Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) can fund larger projects and may work alongside Medicaid coverage. See our VA home modification grants guide.
Original Medicare does not cover structural home modifications. Some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans offer supplemental benefits like grab bars or ramps, but this is plan-specific with no standard amount. Call your plan directly to confirm what it covers.
Finding a provider who knows this program: Not every contractor has handled MLTSS paperwork or worked with a managed care plan's care manager. Adapta Home USA verifies providers' Medicaid Waiver Billing experience, so you can filter for pros who have done this before. Find Home Modifications & Remodeling providers with Medicaid Waiver Billing experience →
For the bigger picture on combining programs, see our national Medicaid waiver guide and our full guide to paying for home modifications.
FAQ#
Does New Jersey Medicaid pay for home modifications like ramps or grab bars?#
Yes. MLTSS, New Jersey's managed long-term-services program under NJ FamilyCare, covers home modifications based on assessed need. The member's plan care manager authorizes the specific work as part of the overall plan of care.
Who qualifies for MLTSS in New Jersey?#
MLTSS requires a nursing-facility level of care determination, meaning hands-on help with three or more activities of daily living, or cognitive deficits requiring supervision with three or more ADLs. Applicants also must meet NJ FamilyCare's financial rules for long-term services, determined by the county agency.
How do I apply for MLTSS home modification help?#
Adults 21 and older contact their County Aging and Disability Resource Connection, county Area Agency on Aging, or county Board of Social Services to begin the assessment. Applicants under 21 contact the Division of Disability Services at 1-888-285-3036. Once enrolled, your MLTSS health plan's care manager evaluates modification requests.
Does MLTSS also cover vehicle modifications?#
Yes. Vehicle modifications are listed alongside home modifications as a covered MLTSS service, based on assessed need and authorized through the member's plan of care.
Find a verified provider near you#
Adapta Home USA's directory lets you search Home Modifications & Remodeling providers by state and filter for Medicaid Waiver Billing experience. Our wheelchair ramp cost guide and accessible bathroom remodel cost guide can help you budget while you wait to hear back.
This article is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Consult a qualified professional about your specific situation.
Program amounts, eligibility rules, and application procedures change. Figures on this page were verified against official government sources on the date shown, but you should confirm current details at VA.gov or with the administering agency before making decisions. Adapta Home USA is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or any government agency.