Benefits

Community Health Centers in New Jersey — low-cost medical care for immigrants

Name: Community health centers (FQHC) by state
Creator: MigrantUSA
License: https://migrantusa.com/terms/

FQHC clinics in New Jersey: an income-based sliding fee, no insurance needed and no status question, at health centers in Newark, Atlantic City and Camden.

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Community Health Centers (FQHC) in New Jersey

New Jersey at a glance

New Jersey is home to about 2,236,554 foreign-born residents (23.9% of the state’s 9,343,809 people) and 2,098,960 residents of Hispanic or Latino origin (22.5%), per the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (2024 5-year estimates). The procedures below apply to everyone in New Jersey regardless of immigration status unless noted.

Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) are the most important low-cost medical care network in US for uninsured or underinsured people. They serve EVERYONE regardless of immigration status.

How FQHCs work — the short version

A Federally Qualified Health Center is a community clinic that receives a grant under Section 330 of the Public Health Service Act, or that HRSA has determined meets the requirements for one. Three things matter in practice: every site must serve you regardless of immigration status, fees follow a sliding scale based on income (a pay stub is usually enough proof), and most New Jersey locations put primary care, pediatrics, dental, mental health, and a low-cost pharmacy under one roof. No insurance is required, and in areas with large Spanish-speaking populations, bilingual staff are the norm.

For other states, see the national community health centers guide.

Important: Public Charge Rule

Under the 2022 public-charge rule, using an FQHC does not affect your immigration case — that rule does not consider low-cost medical services. ⚠️ It is rescinded effective September 18, 2026 (91 FR 45324); care received before that date is still judged under the 2022 rule, and receiving benefits is never outcome-determinative on its own. DHS says the new rule applies to applications for admission made on or after September 18, 2026, and to adjustment-of-status applications postmarked or electronically submitted on or after that date. See the public charge guide.

FQHC locations in New Jersey: the real numbers

New Jersey has 166 active federally funded health center sites, per HRSA's Health Center Service Delivery Sites file. Every one of them is required to serve you regardless of immigration status or ability to pay. The cities with the most locations:

City	FQHC sites
Newark	22
Atlantic City	13
Camden	12
Trenton	10
Lakewood	10

Coverage by county

County	Sites
Essex	26
Atlantic	20
Cumberland	15
Ocean	14
Camden	13
Hudson	12
Mercer	11
Middlesex	10

Major health center sites you can call today

Health center site	City	Phone
Chemed	Lakewood	(732) 364-2144
Newark Community Health Centers - Mobile Unit	Newark	(973) 483-1300
North Hudson Community Action Corporation Health Center @ West New York	West New York	(201) 866-9320
RiteCare at Vineland ShopRite	Vineland	(856) 451-4700
Salem Health Center	Salem	856-935-7711 x6415
Rutgers RWJ Eric B. Chandler Health Center	New Brunswick	(732) 235-6700
Central Jersey Medical Center	Perth Amboy	(732) 376-9333
Zufall Health Center	Dover	(973) 328-9100

Source: HRSA Health Center Service Delivery and Look-Alike Sites (retrieved 2026-10-07; refreshed quarterly). Hours and walk-in policies change — call before visiting, or search every site at findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov.

Last verified: 2026-09-24.

General information, not medical advice. For specific care, talk to a medical provider.

Last verified: 2026-09-24.

General procedural information for educational purposes. Not legal, tax, or immigration advice. Laws and fees change — verify with the issuing agency before taking action. For case-specific guidance, consult a licensed immigration attorney or other appropriate professional.

Federal benefits eligibility by immigration status — who qualifies for what
Find legal aid in your state — public-benefits appeals
What an ITIN is and is not — an ITIN is a tax-filing number, not proof of eligibility for any benefit; each program sets its own identity and status rules
Consulate of your country — many offer financial-assistance referrals
Know Your Rights — public-benefits enrollment — agency confidentiality limits

Frequently asked questions

Do FQHCs in New Jersey ask immigration status?

NO. FQHCs are legally required to serve EVERYONE regardless of immigration status, ability to pay, or insurance. The center does not need your immigration status to treat you, and your medical records are protected by HIPAA. One caveat: enrolling in Medicaid creates a separate federal record — since 2025 HHS/CMS has shared Medicaid enrollee data with ICE, and a federal court only partially blocked this on December 29, 2025. Paying the sliding-fee scale directly does not create a Medicaid record. Current status: Medicaid data sharing with ICE.

How much do FQHC services cost in New Jersey?

FQHCs use a ‘sliding fee scale’ required by federal law: patients at or below 100% of the Federal Poverty Level receive a full discount or pay only a nominal charge the center sets; between 100% and 200% the discount steps down with income; above 200% no discount is required. Ask the center for its own fee schedule.

What services do FQHCs in New Jersey offer?

Primary medical care (adults and kids), pediatrics, gynecology and prenatal, mental health and counseling, basic dental services, low-cost pharmacy, vaccines, school/work physicals, chronic disease management (diabetes, hypertension).

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General information, not legal advice. MigrantUSA is an independent publisher and is not a law firm; using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship, and this content is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney about your specific situation. US federal, state, and local government procedures, fees, and forms change. Always verify current details directly with the relevant agency before acting. For immigration, tax, or other legal matters specific to your situation, consult a licensed attorney or BIA-accredited representative.