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.
Figures cite official government sources (linked by each table). Last verified July 17, 2026 · Effective period: Calendar 2026 (2026 federal poverty guidelines).
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.
- Note the timing: the federal Medicaid community-engagement (work) requirement is generally scheduled to begin January 1, 2027, not 2026 — confirm your state's date before assuming it applies.
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 |
Source: 2026 HHS Poverty Guidelines — 2026 (48 states + DC).
These dollar figures are derived from the 2026 federal poverty guidelines and use MAGI (Modified Adjusted Gross Income). Each state publishes its own rounded chart and may apply a 5% income disregard — confirm the exact figure with your state Medicaid agency.
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 applicants (commonly 138%–200%+ FPL); and Medicare beneficiaries with low income (Medicare Savings Programs pay the Part B premium). CHIP means the Children's Health Insurance Program.
Medicaid for people who are aged, blind, or disabled is usually based on state-specific non-MAGI rules. Income limits, resource limits, medically-needy programs, spend-down rules, Miller trusts, and long-term-care standards vary by state and program — there is no single nationwide income or asset figure. Check your state's official eligibility chart or Medicaid manual, and confirm with the state agency before relying on any number.
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 through your state Marketplace or HealthCare.gov.
- Medicare: dual-eligibles get Medicaid help with premiums and cost-sharing through Medicare Savings Programs.
Where to apply
Apply through your state Medicaid or benefits agency first (see the state guides above) — that's the fastest route for Medicaid. Many states also run their own health-insurance Marketplace that screens for Medicaid, such as Covered California, NY State of Health, Pennie (Pennsylvania), Get Covered Illinois, and Georgia Access. Only states on the federal Marketplace use HealthCare.gov. Medicaid enrollment is open year-round; there's no deadline.
Source: Medicaid & CHIP eligibility / expansion — 2026.
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 MAGI-based Medicaid — the expansion group, parents, children, and pregnant applicants have no asset test. Non-MAGI Medicaid for people who are aged, blind, or disabled, plus long-term-care coverage, uses state-specific resource rules that vary widely by state and program. Confirm your state's current limit with its official Medicaid agency.
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 generally starts from your federal adjusted gross income (AGI) and adds items such as tax-exempt interest, excluded foreign income, and the nontaxable portion of Social Security. It is figured before the standard or itemized deduction, so it is not the same as taxable income. 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?
It added a federal community-engagement (work) requirement for many expansion adults, generally scheduled to begin January 1, 2027 — not a standard 2026 eligibility condition. A state may seek or adopt an earlier date where legally permitted. Check your state's official Medicaid agency for its effective date before assuming it applies to you.