Establishes pilot program providing NJ FamilyCare eligibility for children with special needs who would otherwise be ineligible due to parental income and assets, and requires DHS commissioner to conduct study.

S 838 creates a three-year pilot program to provide NJ FamilyCare health coverage to children with special needs who would qualify for federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits if not for their parents' income or assets. It directly affects middle-income families with children under 21 who meet federal disability criteria (blindness or disability as defined by SSI) but are ineligible for NJ FamilyCare due to parental financial factors. The Department of Human Services must annually verify each child's SSI eligibility, terminate benefits if they no longer qualify, and establish an appeals process for families. After the pilot, the department must report enrollment numbers, costs, and recommendations on whether to make the program permanent.