Medicaid income limits in 2026 depend on your state, your household size, and which eligibility category you fall into. In the 41 states plus Washington DC that expanded Medicaid, most adults qualify with household income up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level, which is $22,025 a year for a single person and $45,540 a year for a family of four. In the 10 states that have not expanded Medicaid (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin, and Wyoming), income limits for adults without children are much lower or nonexistent, and eligibility depends heavily on whether you have dependent children, a disability, or are pregnant.
This guide breaks down the 2026 Federal Poverty Level chart, shows exactly how income limits work in expansion versus non-expansion states, and covers the different limits for children, pregnant women, and seniors or people with disabilities.
2026 Federal Poverty Level Chart
Medicaid eligibility is almost always calculated as a percentage of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). The 2026 FPL guidelines, which took effect in January 2026, are the baseline every state uses to set its Medicaid thresholds.
| Household Size | 2026 Annual FPL (100%) | Monthly FPL (100%) |
|---|
| 1 | $15,960 | $1,330 |
| 2 | $21,640 | $1,803 |
| 3 | $27,320 | $2,277 |
| 4 | $33,000 | $2,750 |
| 5 | $38,680 | $3,223 |
| 6 | $44,360 | $3,697 |
| 7 | $50,040 | $4,170 |
| 8 | $55,720 | $4,643 |
Add $5,680 for each additional person beyond 8. These figures apply to the 48 contiguous states and DC. Alaska and Hawaii use higher poverty guidelines.
How Medicaid Income Limits Actually Work
States do not use 100% FPL as the Medicaid cutoff. Instead, each eligibility category (adults, children, pregnant women, seniors) gets its own percentage of FPL, and every state sets its own numbers within federal minimums. That is why "Medicaid income limits" can look different depending on who in the household is applying.
Two counting methods exist:
- MAGI (Modified Adjusted Gross Income): Used for most adults, children, and pregnant women. This is your household's tax-based income, similar to what you report on a tax return.
- Non-MAGI: Used for people who are aged, blind, or disabled, and for long-term care Medicaid. This method allows for asset limits and different income counting rules, and is generally tied to the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program.
Adult Medicaid Income Limits in Expansion States 2026
In the 41 expansion states and DC, non-elderly adults ages 19 to 64 qualify for Medicaid at up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level, regardless of whether they have children.
| Household Size | 138% FPL (Annual) | 138% FPL (Monthly) |
|---|
| 1 | $22,025 | $1,835 |
| 2 | $29,863 | $2,489 |
| 3 | $37,702 | $3,142 |
| 4 | $45,540 | $3,795 |
| 5 | $53,378 | $4,448 |
| 6 | $61,217 | $5,101 |
These numbers are consistent across every expansion state because the 138% threshold is set at the federal level under the Affordable Care Act. States that use this expansion group include California (Medi-Cal), New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, North Carolina, Virginia, and Arizona (AHCCCS), among others.
The 10 Non-Expansion States: Different Rules Apply
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin, and Wyoming have not adopted the ACA Medicaid expansion. In these states:
- Adults without dependent children generally cannot qualify for Medicaid at all, no matter how low their income is, unless they are pregnant, disabled, or over 65.
- Parents and caretaker relatives can qualify, but the income limits are often extremely low. Some non-expansion states set parent income limits below 50% of the FPL.
- Wisconsin is a partial exception. It does not use full ACA expansion, but it does cover adults up to 100% FPL through a state waiver, so it has no coverage gap.
- The other nine non-expansion states create a "coverage gap": people who earn too little to qualify for ACA marketplace subsidies (which generally start at 100% FPL) but too much, or the wrong category, to qualify for Medicaid.
If you live in a non-expansion state and fall into this gap, checking eligibility for other programs like CHIP for your children, or marketplace coverage if your income is close to 100% FPL, is worth doing since Medicaid alone may not be an option.
Children's Medicaid and CHIP Income Limits
Every state must cover children up to at least 133% of the FPL under federal Medicaid rules, but most states go well beyond that using the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to extend coverage. Typical children's income limits by state fall in these ranges:
| Coverage Level | Approximate FPL Range | States (examples) |
|---|
| Baseline Medicaid | 133% to 150% FPL | Federal minimum in all states |
| Mid-range CHIP | 200% to 250% FPL | Ohio, Georgia, Michigan |
| Higher CHIP | 250% to 317% FPL | New York, California, Iowa |
Because children's limits vary widely and change periodically, the exact number in your state can differ by 50 to 100 percentage points from a neighboring state. A family of four earning $70,000 a year might have children who qualify for CHIP in one state and not in another. The fastest way to find your state's exact children's threshold is to run your numbers through an eligibility screener rather than relying on a single nationwide figure.
Pregnant Women Medicaid Income Limits
All 50 states cover pregnant women through Medicaid at 138% FPL or higher. Many states set the threshold considerably higher, commonly between 185% and 215% FPL, and pregnancy-related Medicaid typically covers the pregnancy itself plus 12 months of postpartum coverage under rules most states adopted following the American Rescue Plan Act.
Medicaid Income Limits for Seniors and People with Disabilities
Medicaid for people who are aged, blind, or disabled uses a different formula than the MAGI-based limits above. Two common paths exist:
- SSI-linked Medicaid: In most states, if you qualify for Supplemental Security Income you automatically qualify for Medicaid. The 2026 federal SSI benefit rate is $994 a month for an individual and $1,491 a month for a couple, and SSI's income limit generally tracks close to that benefit amount after allowable deductions.
- 209(b) states: A smaller group of states (including Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, and a few others) use slightly stricter income or resource criteria than SSI, though they must allow a spend-down option for people whose income exceeds the limit but who have high medical expenses.
Asset limits also apply for this category, typically around $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple in countable resources, not counting a primary home, one vehicle, and certain personal belongings. Long-term care Medicaid (nursing home coverage) uses a separate, generally higher income limit, often set at 300% of the SSI federal benefit rate, which is $2,982 a month in 2026 in most states that use this standard.
Recent 2026 Policy Changes to Know
Medicaid rules are shifting for 2026 and into 2027 because of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed in 2025. The most significant change is a new federal work requirement for expansion adults.
- Expansion adults ages 19 to 64 will need to complete at least 80 hours a month of work, job training, school, or community service to keep Medicaid coverage.
- The federal deadline for all states to implement this is January 1, 2027, but some states are moving earlier. Nebraska began enforcement May 1, 2026, Montana started July 1, 2026, and Iowa is set for December 1, 2026.
- CMS issued initial implementation guidance in December 2025 and additional clarifying guidance in June 2026.
- States must conduct member outreach about the new requirements between June 30 and August 31, 2026, so current enrollees in affected states should watch for mail or portal notices.
Income limits themselves have not changed structurally, but the annual FPL adjustment (a 2.63% increase for 2026) means the dollar thresholds are slightly higher than in 2025, and eligibility should be rechecked annually since a raise or new job could change your status either way.
How to Apply for Medicaid
- Find your state's Medicaid agency or portal. Every state has its own application system, whether it is called Medicaid, Medi-Cal, MassHealth, TennCare, or another state-specific name.
- Gather documents. You will typically need proof of income (pay stubs or tax returns), identification, proof of state residency, household size and relationships, and immigration status documents if applicable.
- Apply online, by phone, by mail, or in person. Most states accept applications through the state Medicaid portal or through HealthCare.gov if you are applying through the ACA marketplace, which will screen you for Medicaid automatically if your income qualifies.
- Wait for the eligibility determination. States generally have 45 days to process a standard application, or 90 days if a disability determination is involved.
- Complete your annual renewal. States are required to redetermine Medicaid eligibility at least once a year. Missing a renewal notice is one of the most common reasons people lose coverage even when they still qualify.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Medicaid income limit for a single person in 2026?
In expansion states, a single adult qualifies for Medicaid with income up to $22,025 a year (138% of the FPL). In non-expansion states, single adults without children generally do not qualify for Medicaid based on income alone unless they are pregnant, disabled, or elderly.
Which states have not expanded Medicaid in 2026?
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin, and Wyoming have not adopted full ACA Medicaid expansion as of 2026.
Does Medicaid check assets as well as income?
For most adults, children, and pregnant women, Medicaid only looks at income (the MAGI method). For seniors, people who are blind or disabled, and long-term care applicants, states also apply asset limits, typically around $2,000 for an individual.
Do Medicaid income limits change every year?
Yes. The Federal Poverty Level is updated annually, usually in January, which shifts every Medicaid income threshold that is calculated as a percentage of FPL. The 2026 guidelines reflect a 2.63% increase over 2025.
What happens if my income is slightly above the Medicaid limit?
If you are in an expansion state, you likely qualify for ACA marketplace subsidies instead, since the marketplace and Medicaid thresholds are designed to connect without a gap. If you are in a non-expansion state and your income is between 100% and 138% FPL, you may still qualify for marketplace subsidies even though Medicaid is not available to you.
Are Medicaid income limits the same as CHIP income limits?
No. CHIP typically covers children (and in some states, pregnant women) at higher income levels than standard Medicaid, often between 200% and 317% FPL depending on the state.
