Iowa families whose income is too high for Medicaid but who cannot afford private health insurance can cover their kids through Hawki, the state's Healthy and Well Kids in Iowa program. For 2026, a family of four can earn up to $99,660 a year and still qualify for coverage, with monthly costs capped at $10 to $20 per child and no family ever paying more than $40 a month. Hawki is Iowa's version of the federal Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and it works alongside Medicaid to make sure kids under 19 have coverage regardless of what their parents earn.
This guide breaks down the current Hawki income limits by family size, explains the tiered premium structure, and walks through exactly how to apply.
What Is the Hawki Program?
Hawki (short for Healthy and Well Kids in Iowa) is Iowa's CHIP program, run by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). It provides medical and dental coverage to children under age 19 in working families who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but not enough to comfortably afford private insurance.
Hawki is not welfare and it is not free healthcare for everyone. It is a bridge program: families pay a small monthly premium based on income, ranging from $0 to $20 per child, and the state covers the rest of the cost through a mix of federal CHIP funding and state dollars. Coverage includes doctor visits, immunizations, hospital care, prescriptions, mental health services, and dental care.
A child is not eligible for Hawki if they already have other health insurance, whether through a parent's job, the ACA marketplace, or another program. Hawki exists specifically to fill the gap for kids who would otherwise go uninsured.
Iowa Hawki Income Limits 2026
Eligibility is based on household size and yearly countable income. Iowa uses four tiers: free coverage through Medicaid, free coverage through Hawki, a $10 per child premium tier, and a $20 per child premium tier. Whichever tier a family falls into is where the state hands off from Medicaid to CHIP.
Medical Coverage Income Limits (Effective 2026)
| Family Size | Free Medicaid | Free Hawki | $10/Month per Child | $20/Month per Child |
|---|
| 1 | Up to $26,654 | $26,655 to $28,888 | $28,889 to $38,783 | $38,784 to $48,199 |
| 2 | Up to $36,139 | $36,140 to $39,168 | $39,169 to $52,585 | $52,586 to $65,353 |
| 3 | Up to $45,624 | $45,625 to $49,449 | $49,450 to $66,388 | $66,389 to $82,506 |
| 4 | Up to $55,110 | $55,111 to $59,730 | $59,731 to $80,190 | $80,191 to $99,660 |
| 5 | Up to $64,596 | $64,597 to $70,011 | $70,012 to $93,992 | $93,993 to $116,814 |
| 6 | Up to $74,081 | $74,082 to $80,292 | $80,293 to $107,795 | $107,796 to $133,967 |
| 7 | Up to $83,567 | $83,568 to $90,572 | $90,573 to $121,597 | $121,598 to $151,121 |
| 8 | Up to $93,052 | $93,053 to $100,853 | $100,854 to $135,400 | $135,401 to $168,274 |
For each additional household member beyond 8, add approximately $9,485 to each column threshold.
In terms of Federal Poverty Level (FPL) percentages, the free Medicaid tier runs roughly up to 167% FPL, the free Hawki tier covers roughly 167% to 181% FPL, the $10 tier covers roughly 181% to 241% FPL, and the $20 tier extends to approximately 302% FPL. These are approximate ranges since Iowa recalculates the exact dollar thresholds each year against updated federal poverty guidelines.
No family pays more than $20 per month total for medical coverage regardless of how many children are enrolled, and no family pays more than $40 per month in the top premium tier.
Dental-Only Coverage Income Limits (Effective 2026)
Some families only need dental coverage for their children, either because they already have medical insurance or because dental is the only gap. Iowa runs a separate dental-only income schedule with lower premiums.
| Family Size | Free Medicaid | $5/Month Dental | $10/Month Dental | $15/Month Dental |
|---|
| 1 | Up to $26,654 | $26,655 to $32,558 | $32,559 to $40,538 | $40,539 to $48,199 |
| 2 | Up to $36,139 | $36,140 to $44,146 | $44,147 to $54,966 | $54,967 to $65,353 |
| 3 | Up to $45,624 | $45,625 to $55,733 | $55,734 to $69,393 | $69,394 to $82,506 |
| 4 | Up to $55,110 | $55,111 to $67,320 | $67,321 to $83,820 | $83,821 to $99,660 |
| 5 | Up to $64,596 | $64,597 to $78,907 | $78,908 to $98,247 | $98,248 to $116,814 |
| 6 | Up to $74,081 | $74,082 to $90,494 | $90,495 to $112,674 | $112,675 to $133,967 |
| 7 | Up to $83,567 | $83,568 to $102,082 | $102,083 to $127,102 | $127,103 to $151,121 |
| 8 | Up to $93,052 | $93,053 to $113,669 | $113,670 to $141,529 | $141,530 to $168,274 |
For dental-only coverage, no family pays more than $10 per month in the lowest premium tier or $20 per month in the highest tier.
Who Qualifies for Hawki?
To qualify for Hawki, a child generally must meet all of the following:
- Be under age 19 (coverage ends the first day of the month after the child turns 19)
- Be an Iowa resident
- Be a U.S. citizen or a qualified immigrant
- Live in a household with income above the Medicaid limit but at or below the Hawki limit for their family size
- Not currently be covered by other health insurance, including employer coverage or an ACA marketplace plan
- Not be eligible for coverage as a state employee's dependent
There is no asset test for Hawki. Iowa only looks at countable income, not savings, home equity, or vehicles.
If a family's income falls below the Medicaid threshold, the child is automatically routed to Medicaid rather than Hawki, since Medicaid provides fuller coverage at no cost. HHS makes this determination during the application process, so families do not need to guess which program to apply for.
How to Apply for Hawki
Applying for Hawki does not require choosing between Medicaid and CHIP ahead of time. Iowa uses a single application to screen a child for both programs.
- Apply online. The fastest way to apply is through the Iowa HHS Services Portal at benefits.stateofiowahhs.org. You do not need to create an account to submit an application, though creating one lets you save a draft and check your application status later.
- Apply by paper. Download the "Application for Health Coverage and Help Paying Costs" form from the Iowa HHS website, fill it out, and mail or fax it to your local HHS office. You can also call to request a paper application be mailed to you.
- Apply by phone. Call the HHS Contact Center and a representative will walk you through the application over the phone, take a verbal signature, and submit it on your behalf.
- Provide documentation. Be ready to verify household income (pay stubs, tax returns, or employer letters), proof of Iowa residency, and each child's date of birth and citizenship or immigration status.
- Wait for a determination. Processing can take up to 45 days, though many applications are decided sooner. HHS will mail a decision letter explaining whether your child is approved for Medicaid, Hawki, or denied, along with the reason.
- Pay your first premium, if applicable. If your child is approved for a Hawki tier with a monthly premium, you will receive billing instructions. Coverage does not start until the first premium is paid for premium tiers; Medicaid and free Hawki tiers start immediately upon approval.
Families can apply at any time during the year. There is no open enrollment period for Hawki the way there is for ACA marketplace plans, since it is a Medicaid-adjacent program available year-round.
What Hawki Covers
Hawki plans cover the same core benefits regardless of premium tier:
- Doctor visits and well-child checkups
- Immunizations
- Hospital and emergency care
- Prescription drugs
- Vision and dental care
- Mental and behavioral health services
- Speech, physical, and occupational therapy
Families choose from participating managed care organizations once enrolled, similar to how Iowa's Medicaid managed care system works.
Hawki vs. Medicaid: What's the Difference?
Medicaid and Hawki are both administered by Iowa HHS and both cover children, but they are legally distinct programs. Medicaid is an entitlement funded jointly by the state and federal government with no premiums for children. Hawki is Iowa's CHIP program, funded through a separate federal allotment, and it charges small premiums to families above the Medicaid income cutoff.
Practically, families do not need to know which program applies to them before applying. One application determines whether a child lands in Medicaid, free Hawki, or a Hawki premium tier based on income. If your household income changes during the year, whether from a new job, a raise, or a change in household size, report it to HHS so your child's eligibility category can be updated.
Recent Changes for 2026
Iowa updates its Hawki income guidelines annually to reflect the federal poverty guidelines released each January. The 2026 guidelines reflect a modest increase over 2025 thresholds across all family sizes and both the medical and dental schedules. The core structure, four income tiers with premiums capped at $20 or $40 per month for medical and $10 or $20 per month for dental, has remained consistent in recent years.
Families who were previously denied Hawki because of income should check the updated 2026 limits, since a family of four now qualifies for the top premium tier with income up to $99,660, higher than in prior years.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income limit for Hawki in Iowa for 2026?
For a family of four, Hawki covers children with household income up to $99,660 per year in the top premium tier, with the $10 per child tier covering income up to $80,190 and free Hawki covering income up to $59,730. Limits scale up or down based on family size, as shown in the table above.
How much does Hawki cost per month?
Costs range from free to $20 per child per month for medical coverage, with a family maximum of $20 per month in the lower premium tier and $40 per month in the higher tier. Dental-only coverage ranges from $5 to $15 per child, capped at $10 to $20 per family per month.
Does Hawki cover dental care?
Yes. Hawki medical plans include dental benefits. Iowa also offers a separate dental-only plan for children who already have medical coverage elsewhere but need dental insurance.
Can I apply for Hawki and Medicaid at the same time?
Yes. There is one combined application. Iowa HHS determines during processing whether your child qualifies for Medicaid, free Hawki, or a Hawki premium tier based on your household income and size.
How long does it take to get approved for Hawki?
Processing can take up to 45 days, though many families receive a decision sooner. You will get a letter from Iowa HHS explaining the outcome and, if approved for a premium tier, instructions for paying your first monthly premium.
Is there an asset limit for Hawki?
No. Hawki eligibility is based only on household income, not on savings, property, or vehicles.
What happens when my child turns 19?
Hawki coverage ends on the first day of the month following the child's 19th birthday. Families should plan ahead for other coverage options, such as an employer plan or an ACA marketplace plan, before that date.
Can I apply for Hawki if my child already has insurance?
No. Hawki is designed for children who do not have other health or dental insurance. If your child already has coverage through an employer or another program, they are not eligible for Hawki.
For more on Iowa's broader Medicaid rules and other assistance programs available to Iowa households, see our Iowa benefits guide.
