What is the 2026 ACA subsidy cliff in New Jersey?

The federal PTC cliff is at $62,600 (HH=1) / $128,600 (HH=4) — 400% of the 2025 FPL contiguous-48 base. However, New Jersey's NJHPS program continues providing state subsidies through 600% FPL ($93,900 for HH=1; $192,900 for HH=4). So the 'effective cliff' for New Jersey residents is at 600% FPL, not 400% FPL — the federal benefit disappears but the state benefit continues.

How do I enroll in 2026 coverage in New Jersey?

New Jersey uses Get Covered NJ at nj.gov/getcoverednj. Open enrollment runs from November 1, 2025 through January 31, 2026 (New Jersey extends beyond the federal deadline). NJHPS is automatically applied at enrollment when income qualifies. Outside open enrollment, enrollment requires a Special Enrollment Period (qualifying life event).

Does New Jersey have a state-funded subsidy on top of the federal PTC?

Yes — New Jersey's NJ Health Plan Savings (NJHPS) program is one of the most generous in the country, with an income cap up to 600% FPL. NJHPS stacks on top of federal APTC for qualifying households. An individual earning up to $93,900 or a family of four earning up to $192,900 qualifies. The program appropriated approximately $215M for 2026.

What is the Medicaid threshold in New Jersey?

New Jersey expanded Medicaid under the ACA. Adults with MAGI up to 138% FPL qualify for NJ FamilyCare (New Jersey's Medicaid program). NJ FamilyCare also covers children, pregnant women, and parents at higher income levels.

How is SLCSP calculated for New Jersey?

The 2026 statewide SLCSP age-band averages for New Jersey are: Age 21: $430/mo, Age 30: $488/mo, Age 40: $549/mo, Age 50: $768/mo, Age 60: $1,167/mo. These are statewide averages; your specific county may vary ±20–30%. The federal cliff distance (income vs. 400% FPL) is exact regardless of SLCSP precision.

Can I avoid the 2026 federal cliff in New Jersey?

Yes — MAGI reduction strategies (HSA, deductible IRA, SEP-IRA, capital-loss harvesting) can keep MAGI below 400% FPL to preserve the federal PTC. However, New Jersey's NJHPS continues through 600% FPL, so if your MAGI exceeds 400% FPL, you still receive New Jersey state assistance up to 600% FPL. The MAGI cliff impact is significantly softened for NJ residents vs. FFM states.

What makes Get Covered NJ different from HealthCare.gov?

Get Covered NJ is a state-based marketplace (SBM) that transitioned from the FFM in 2021. As an SBM, New Jersey controls plan certification, consumer protections, open enrollment deadlines (extended through January 31), and integrates NJHPS state subsidies directly. These capabilities are not available to states still using HealthCare.gov.

New Jersey Cliff Calculator — 2026 ACA Subsidy

By Severance Calculator Editorial · Updated May 13, 2026

New Jersey Marketplace: Get Covered NJ

New Jersey uses a state-based marketplace (SBM) called Get Covered NJ. New Jersey residents enroll at Get Covered NJ — not HealthCare.gov.

Medicaid in New Jersey: NJ FamilyCare

New Jersey expanded Medicaid under the ACA. NJ FamilyCare covers adults to 138% FPL.

State Subsidy Backfill

NJ Health Plan Savings (NJHPS) — ~$215M for 2026. Income cap up to 600% FPL (highest in the country). Stacks on top of federal APTC. An individual earning up to $93,900 or a family of four earning up to $192,900 qualifies for NJHPS. Combined federal+state savings average approximately $556/person/month.

2026 SLCSP Benchmark Premiums (New Jersey)

Statewide average monthly second-lowest-cost Silver plan (SLCSP) premiums by age. Actual premiums vary by rating area.

Age	21	30	40	50	60
Monthly SLCSP	$430	$488	$549	$768	$1,167

2026 ACA Cliff Thresholds by Household Size (New Jersey)

MAGI above these amounts zeros out the federal Premium Tax Credit. FPL region: contiguous48.

Household size	1	2	3	4	5
400% FPL cliff	$62,600	$84,600	$106,600	$128,600	$150,600

Key Facts: New Jersey ACA

New Jersey operates the most generous state health insurance subsidy program by income cap in the United States. The NJ Health Plan Savings (NJHPS) program extends subsidies to households earning up to 600% of the federal poverty level — an individual earning up to $93,900 or a family of four earning up to $192,900 in 2026. No other state reaches this high with a direct per-enrollee subsidy.

NJHPS stacks directly on top of federal APTC. For households that still qualify for federal PTC (below 400% FPL), both subsidies apply simultaneously, producing combined savings that average approximately $556 per person per month. For households above 400% FPL where the federal PTC cliff would otherwise zero out the federal benefit, NJHPS continues to provide meaningful state-funded premium reduction through 600% FPL.

Get Covered NJ became a fully state-based marketplace (SBM) in 2021, transitioning from the FFM. The transition allowed New Jersey to implement its own open enrollment extensions, consumer protections, and the NJHPS subsidy program directly in the enrollment flow. NJ FamilyCare (Medicaid) covers adults to 138% FPL under expansion.

Calculate your New Jersey ACA cliff

Inputs default to New Jersey; adjust to your household specifics. Cliff = $62,600 (HH=1) / $128,600 (HH=4).

Your situation

Household size

State

Filing status

Member ages

selftobacco

Coverage

One or more members have employer-sponsored coverage offered

Income

Wages (W-2)

You're under the cliff

100%138%200%300%400%

You are at 319% of the federal poverty level.

Annual PTC: $1,608; $134 / month
MAGI headroom before cliff: $12,600; until you hit 400% FPL

PTC dollar values use a state-level SLCSP estimate; verify your exact second-lowest-cost Silver plan on healthcare.gov for your zip.

Primary Sources

Get Covered NJ — Financial Help / Premiums
“Tax households with annual incomes up to 600% of the federal poverty level will receive NJHPS.”
Get Covered NJ — NJHPS program description
“An individual with an income of up to $93,900 and a family of four who makes up to $192,900 can receive state subsidies to lower the costs of health coverage.”

FAQ — New Jersey ACA Cliff

What is the 2026 ACA subsidy cliff in New Jersey?: The federal PTC cliff is at $62,600 (HH=1) / $128,600 (HH=4) — 400% of the 2025 FPL contiguous-48 base. However, New Jersey's NJHPS program continues providing state subsidies through 600% FPL ($93,900 for HH=1; $192,900 for HH=4). So the 'effective cliff' for New Jersey residents is at 600% FPL, not 400% FPL — the federal benefit disappears but the state benefit continues.
How do I enroll in 2026 coverage in New Jersey?: New Jersey uses Get Covered NJ at nj.gov/getcoverednj. Open enrollment runs from November 1, 2025 through January 31, 2026 (New Jersey extends beyond the federal deadline). NJHPS is automatically applied at enrollment when income qualifies. Outside open enrollment, enrollment requires a Special Enrollment Period (qualifying life event).
Does New Jersey have a state-funded subsidy on top of the federal PTC?: Yes — New Jersey's NJ Health Plan Savings (NJHPS) program is one of the most generous in the country, with an income cap up to 600% FPL. NJHPS stacks on top of federal APTC for qualifying households. An individual earning up to $93,900 or a family of four earning up to $192,900 qualifies. The program appropriated approximately $215M for 2026.
What is the Medicaid threshold in New Jersey?: New Jersey expanded Medicaid under the ACA. Adults with MAGI up to 138% FPL qualify for NJ FamilyCare (New Jersey's Medicaid program). NJ FamilyCare also covers children, pregnant women, and parents at higher income levels.
How is SLCSP calculated for New Jersey?: The 2026 statewide SLCSP age-band averages for New Jersey are: Age 21: $430/mo, Age 30: $488/mo, Age 40: $549/mo, Age 50: $768/mo, Age 60: $1,167/mo. These are statewide averages; your specific county may vary ±20–30%. The federal cliff distance (income vs. 400% FPL) is exact regardless of SLCSP precision.
Can I avoid the 2026 federal cliff in New Jersey?: Yes — MAGI reduction strategies (HSA, deductible IRA, SEP-IRA, capital-loss harvesting) can keep MAGI below 400% FPL to preserve the federal PTC. However, New Jersey's NJHPS continues through 600% FPL, so if your MAGI exceeds 400% FPL, you still receive New Jersey state assistance up to 600% FPL. The MAGI cliff impact is significantly softened for NJ residents vs. FFM states.
What makes Get Covered NJ different from HealthCare.gov?: Get Covered NJ is a state-based marketplace (SBM) that transitioned from the FFM in 2021. As an SBM, New Jersey controls plan certification, consumer protections, open enrollment deadlines (extended through January 31), and integrates NJHPS state subsidies directly. These capabilities are not available to states still using HealthCare.gov.