Applications available for families needing children's health insurance

New Jersey is mailing applications for health insurance to thousands of families across the state with children who are currently uninsured. Families who indicated on their 2009 tax return that they have an uninsured child will receive the mailing. The state will mail about 9,000 applications each week until all of these families are contacted. Each application is in a yellow envelope marked, “NJ Familycare Express Lane Application For Health Insurance Enclosed.” NJ FamilyCare is a low-cost or free program for income-eligible families. For example, a family of four earning up to $77,175 (or 350 percent of the federal poverty level) can qualify to insure their children for about $130 a month in the state- and federally-funded program. NJ FamilyCare ADVANTAGE is a “buy-in” program for families earning more than 350 percent of the federal poverty level. The maximum monthly premium is $411 for a family with three or more children. For more information, call 800-701-0710, or visit www.njfamilycare.org. Parents can also contact the Association for Children of New Jersey at 973-643-3876 or njfamilycare@acnj.org.