 [ Symptoms ] i am unemployed on state unemployment insurance benefits and a 54 year old male in new jersey will i need to pay for insurance or will the state cover it because i am on unemployment insurance [ Disease ] you will likely be required to have health insurance although there are hardship exemptions available to people who do not have access to an affordable option and your income will determine the kind of financial help you receive to pay for it if you are currently unemployed it is likely you will qualify for medicaid which will be made available to you at virtually no cost if your income is too high for medicaid about 15 856 annually you are likely to qualify for tax credits to lower your premiums and possibly subsidies to lower your out of pocket costs when you go for medical visits