Medicaid Income Limits 2026: Who Qualifies, State by State
2026 Medicaid income limits in plain English — expansion vs non-expansion states, dollar amounts by household size, and where to apply.
✓ Every figure on this page verified against the primary government source as of July 16, 2026.
In the 40 states (plus DC) that expanded Medicaid, adults qualify in 2026 with income up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level — about $1,835 per month for a single person and $3,795 for a family of four. Texas and Florida have not expanded, and Georgia covers adults only to 100% FPL with an 80-hour monthly work requirement.
Key takeaways
- Use the 138% FPL test in expansion states: $1,835/month for 1 person, $3,795 for 4 (2026).
- Skip the asset test for MAGI Medicaid — most adults and children face no resource limit.
- Apply for children regardless: kids' Medicaid/CHIP limits often reach 200%–300%+ FPL.
- Know the gap: in 10 non-expansion states, childless adults generally can't qualify at any income.
- Watch the new work rules: OBBBA requires 80 hours/month of work or qualifying activity for many expansion adults as states phase it in through Dec 31, 2026.
2026 income limits at 138% FPL (expansion states)
| Household size | 100% FPL (monthly) | 138% FPL (monthly) | 138% FPL (annual) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,330 | $1,835 | $22,025 |
| 2 | $1,803 | $2,489 | $29,863 |
| 3 | $2,277 | $3,142 | $37,702 |
| 4 | $2,750 | $3,795 | $45,540 |
| 5 | $3,223 | $4,448 | $53,378 |
| 6 | $3,697 | $5,101 | $61,217 |
| 7 | $4,170 | $5,755 | $69,055 |
| 8 | $4,643 | $6,408 | $76,894 |
Expansion vs non-expansion — the 10 biggest states
| State | Adult Medicaid in 2026 | State guide |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | Not expanded — childless adults excluded | TX guide → |
| California | Expanded — adults to 138% FPL | CA guide → |
| Florida | Not expanded — childless adults excluded | FL guide → |
| New York | Expanded — adults to 138% FPL | NY guide → |
| Pennsylvania | Expanded — adults to 138% FPL | PA guide → |
| Illinois | Expanded — adults to 138% FPL | IL guide → |
| Ohio | Expanded — adults to 138% FPL | OH guide → |
| Georgia | Partial — Pathways to 100% FPL + 80 hrs/mo | GA guide → |
| North Carolina | Expanded — adults to 138% FPL | NC guide → |
| Michigan | Expanded — adults to 138% FPL | MI guide → |
Who qualifies beyond the expansion group
Medicaid is many programs in one. Even where adult limits are strict, these groups qualify at higher incomes or through different doors: children (Medicaid/CHIP, often to 200%–300%+ FPL); pregnant women (commonly 138%–200%+ FPL); people 65+ or with disabilities (usually tied to the SSI rate of $994/month, with a ~$2,000 asset limit); and Medicare beneficiaries with low income (Medicare Savings Programs pay the Part B premium). CHIP means the Children's Health Insurance Program.
How Medicaid interacts with other benefits
- SSI: an SSI award ($994/month in 2026) brings Medicaid automatically in most states.
- SNAP: separate programs, but one state application usually covers both; getting Medicaid doesn't change your SNAP math.
- Marketplace (ACA): qualify for Medicaid and you lose marketplace subsidy eligibility — Medicaid comes first. Above 138% FPL, subsidies take over.
- Medicare: dual-eligibles get Medicaid help with premiums and cost-sharing through Medicare Savings Programs.
Where to apply
Apply through your state Medicaid agency (see the state guides above) or at HealthCare.gov — the marketplace forwards Medicaid-eligible applications to your state automatically. Medicaid enrollment is open year-round; there's no deadline.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Medicaid income limit for 2026?
In the 40 expansion states plus DC, adults qualify with income up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level — about $1,835 per month for one person and $3,795 for a family of four in 2026. Non-expansion states like Texas and Florida have far lower limits for parents and none for childless adults.
Does Medicaid look at assets in 2026?
Not for most adults and children — MAGI-based Medicaid (the expansion group, parents, kids, pregnant women) has no asset test. Asset limits still apply to aged/blind/disabled and long-term-care Medicaid, commonly $2,000 for an individual.
What if my state didn't expand Medicaid?
In the 10 non-expansion states, non-disabled adults without dependent children generally can't get Medicaid at any income. Parents qualify only at very low income, and people between the state limit and 100% FPL fall into the coverage gap with no marketplace subsidies either.
Is the Medicaid limit gross or net income?
Medicaid uses MAGI — Modified Adjusted Gross Income — which is close to the taxable income on your tax return, counted before taxes. A built-in 5% FPL disregard is why the 133% statutory limit works out to 138%.
Can children get Medicaid if parents earn too much?
Usually yes. Children's Medicaid and CHIP limits are much higher than adult limits in every state — often 200%–300%+ of the poverty level. Always apply for kids even if the adults don't qualify.
Does SSI automatically qualify me for Medicaid?
In most states, yes — an SSI award ($994/month in 2026) triggers automatic or streamlined Medicaid enrollment. A few '209(b)' states run their own slightly different test.
When do the 2026 Medicaid limits change?
Limits track the Federal Poverty Level, which HHS updates each January. The 2026 FPL is $15,960/year for one person; states adopt the new numbers over the following weeks.
Did the 2025 law (OBBBA) change Medicaid?
Yes — the One Big Beautiful Bill Act added work/community-engagement requirements of 80 hours per month for many expansion adults, with states phasing in implementation from late 2026 (federal deadline: December 31, 2026, extendable). Check your state agency for its timeline.