Texas Medicaid Income Limits 2026: Who Qualifies
Who can get Texas Medicaid (STAR) in 2026, the income limits in dollars, and how to apply — in plain English.
Figures cite official government sources (linked by each table). Last verified July 17, 2026 · Effective period: Calendar 2026.
Texas has not expanded Medicaid. In 2026, most adults without dependent children cannot qualify at any income; parents qualify only at very low income. Children, pregnant women, seniors, and people with disabilities can still qualify — a single senior on SSI's $994/month is covered.
Key takeaways
- Know the gap: childless, non-disabled adults generally can't qualify in Texas at any income.
- Check parent/caretaker limits with the agency — they're a small fraction of the $2,277/month poverty line for a family of 3.
- Apply for children anyway: kids' programs cover far higher incomes than adult Medicaid.
- Get covered automatically with SSI: the $994/month SSI rate brings Medicaid.
- Check HealthCare.gov if you earn over 100% FPL — Marketplace subsidies start where Medicaid ends.
Texas parent & caretaker-relative Medicaid
Texas parent and caretaker-relative Medicaid limits are substantially lower than expansion-level limits and depend on household composition. We do not publish an unverified figure. Confirm the current monthly amount using the official Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) eligibility chart.
Who qualifies for Texas Medicaid (STAR)
Texas has not adopted Medicaid expansion. Non-disabled adults without dependent children generally cannot get Medicaid at any income. Parents and caretakers qualify only at very low income — check the current limit for your family size with Texas HHSC.
Children qualify for Children's Medicaid or CHIP at much higher income levels than adults — apply even if the adult limits look out of reach.
Medicaid for people who are aged, blind, or disabled in Texas is based on state-specific non-MAGI rules. Income limits, resource limits, medically-needy/spend-down programs, and long-term-care standards vary by program — there is no single nationwide figure. Confirm the current limits with Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). Low-income Medicare beneficiaries can also get help with premiums through Medicare Savings Programs.
How Medicaid interacts with other benefits
- SSI: an SSI award brings Medicaid automatically or via a streamlined process in Texas.
- SNAP: separate tests, one application — the same portal (yourtexasbenefits.com) handles both.
- Marketplace: Marketplace subsidies start at 100% FPL via HealthCare.gov — below that, in a non-expansion state, neither program may be available to childless adults.
- Medicare: dual-eligible seniors get premium and cost-sharing help through Medicaid.
Where to apply
- Apply through the state Medicaid/benefits portal first — Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), yourtexasbenefits.com, or by phone at 877-541-7905 (2-1-1, option 2).
- Texas uses the federal Marketplace, HealthCare.gov, which forwards Medicaid-eligible applications to the state and handles subsidized plans above the Medicaid limit.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Medicaid income limit in Texas for 2026?
Texas has not expanded Medicaid, so there is no income path for most non-disabled adults without dependent children. Parents and caretakers qualify only at very low income — the exact limit depends on family size; confirm the current figure with Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC).
Why can't adults without kids get Medicaid in Texas?
Texas is one of 10 states that declined the ACA's Medicaid expansion. Without it, federal law only covers specific groups: children, pregnant women, very-low-income parents, seniors, and people with disabilities.
Can children get Medicaid in Texas if parents earn too much?
Children qualify for Children's Medicaid or CHIP at much higher income levels than adults — apply even if the adult limits look out of reach. There's no harm in applying — children are evaluated separately from adults.
Does SSI qualify me for Medicaid in Texas?
Yes — SSI recipients ($994/month federal rate in 2026) get Medicaid automatically or via a streamlined process in Texas.
Is there an enrollment deadline for Medicaid in Texas?
No. Medicaid enrollment is open year-round — you can apply any month, and coverage can start retroactively up to 3 months before your application in many cases.
How do I apply for Medicaid in Texas?
Apply online at yourtexasbenefits.com, by phone at 877-541-7905 (2-1-1, option 2), or at a local office of Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). You can also apply through HealthCare.gov, the federal Marketplace, which forwards Medicaid-eligible applications to the state.