Medicaid Office

California Medicaid Income Limits

Updated August 2026

Medi-Cal income limits are expressed as percentages of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), which HHS updates each January. California uses the current-year FPL for Medi-Cal eligibility — the figures below reflect the 2025 FPL base published by HHS and the 2026 income thresholds on the official DHCS eligibility chart (last updated May 18, 2026).

138%

FPL — adults 19–64

266%

FPL — children

No

Asset test (MAGI)

$130K

Asset limit (seniors, 2026)

Income limits and asset rules changed in January 2026

California reinstated asset limits for some Medi-Cal programs effective January 1, 2026. MAGI-based Medi-Cal (for most adults, children, and pregnant individuals) still has no asset test. Seniors and disabled enrollees now face new asset limits. The undocumented adult enrollment freeze also took effect January 1, 2026. Verify current eligibility at dhcs.ca.gov/medi-cal/qualify/.

Medi-Cal income limits by coverage group (2026)

Adults ages 19–64 (ACA expansion)

Income limit
138% FPL
Example: 1 person/family of 4
$21,597 / $44,367/yr

Children ages 0–18 (Medi-Cal + CHIP)

Income limit
266% FPL
Example: 1 person/family of 4
— / ~$87,780/yr (family of 4)

Pregnant individuals (Medi-Cal)

Income limit
213% FPL
Example: 1 person/family of 4
$33,995/yr (single) / $2,833/mo

Pregnant individuals (MCAP)

Income limit
213%–322% FPL
Example: 1 person/family of 4
$33,995 – $51,392/yr (single)

Aged & Disabled (A&D FPL program)

Income limit
138% FPL (or SSI rate, whichever is greater)
Example: 1 person/family of 4
~$1,836/mo individual

Working Disabled Program (250% WDP)

Income limit
250% FPL
Example: 1 person/family of 4
$3,325/mo individual

SSI recipients

Income limit
SSI limit
Example: 1 person/family of 4
Automatic eligibility

Adult Medi-Cal income limits by household size (2026)

The table below shows the DHCS 138% FPL income limits for standard adult Medi-Cal, effective for 2026 eligibility. Source: official DHCS Medi-Cal eligibility chart (dhcs.ca.gov/medi-cal/qualify/qualify-for-medi-cal-eligibility-chart/), last updated May 18, 2026.

1 person

Annual income limit (138% FPL)
$21,597
Monthly equivalent
$1,800/mo

2 people

Annual income limit (138% FPL)
$29,187
Monthly equivalent
$2,432/mo

3 people

Annual income limit (138% FPL)
$36,777
Monthly equivalent
$3,065/mo

4 people

Annual income limit (138% FPL)
$44,367
Monthly equivalent
$3,697/mo

5 people

Annual income limit (138% FPL)
$51,957
Monthly equivalent
$4,330/mo

6 people

Annual income limit (138% FPL)
$59,547
Monthly equivalent
$4,962/mo

7 people

Annual income limit (138% FPL)
$67,137
Monthly equivalent
$5,595/mo

8 people

Annual income limit (138% FPL)
$74,727
Monthly equivalent
$6,227/mo

Add $7,590/year per additional person above 8. These figures reflect the 2025 HHS federal poverty guidelines applied at 138% FPL, which is how California sets its standard adult Medi-Cal threshold.

No asset test for most Medi-Cal — but limits returned for seniors

MAGI-based Medi-Cal — the program covering most adults 19–64, children, and pregnant individuals — has no asset test. A savings account, car, home, or investment portfolio does not disqualify you. This has been the rule since AB 133 took effect in July 2022.

The asset picture changed for other programs as of January 1, 2026. Per California Health Advocates, California reinstated asset/resource limits for non-MAGI Medi-Cal programs — primarily those serving seniors (65+), people with disabilities, nursing home residents, and certain others. The reinstated limit is $130,000 for an individual and $195,000 for a couple. SSI-linked Medi-Cal retains SSI's lower asset limit ($2,000 for an individual).

If you are a senior or person with a disability applying for Medi-Cal, ask the county eligibility worker whether you are being evaluated under MAGI or non-MAGI rules. The distinction determines whether assets are counted.

Income limits for pregnancy: Medi-Cal and MCAP

Pregnant individuals qualify for standard Medi-Cal up to 213% FPL. Above that threshold, California's Medi-Cal Access Program (MCAP) covers pregnancy-related care up to 322% FPL — a range most competing informational pages leave out. MCAP coverage includes prenatal visits, labor and delivery, and postpartum care. The unborn baby is counted as a household member in the income calculation.

As of the July 2026 dental benefit changes, pregnant members on Medi-Cal retain full dental coverage with no annual dollar cap — one of the protected groups exempt from the benefit cuts affecting other adults.

The Working Disabled Program and how disability income is counted

California's 250% Working Disabled Program (WDP) covers working Californians with disabilities at up to 250% FPL — $3,325/month for an individual as of April 2026. The key detail most income-limit pages omit: disability income — SSDI, workers' compensation, state disability insurance, and private disability benefits — is excluded from the income calculation for WDP eligibility.

A person receiving $2,500/month in SSDI and $800/month in part-time wages could still qualify, because only the earned income counts. Verify current WDP income rules with DHCS or a Medi-Cal eligibility worker, as the program rules are updated periodically.

How Medicaid income limits work

Medi-Cal eligibility is tied to the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), which the Department of Health and Human Services updates each January. California sets its income limits as a percentage of FPL — so when FPL rises, the dollar thresholds for Medi-Cal also shift. The tables on this page use the 2025 HHS FPL base applied at each percentage, which is how DHCS calculates 2026 eligibility.

The Affordable Care Act introduced a standard income methodology called Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) for most Medi-Cal applicants. MAGI replaced older rules that counted assets alongside income. Under MAGI: no asset test, and a 5% FPL income disregard applies for most adults — meaning a "133% FPL" limit effectively covers people to 138%.

What counts as income under MAGI

MAGI is the income standard for most Medi-Cal applicants — children, adults under 65, pregnant individuals, and parents. Here's what DHCS counts and what it doesn't:

  • Wages and salary
  • Tips and commissions
  • Self-employment net income
  • Unemployment insurance benefits
  • Social Security retirement (SSRI)
  • Social Security disability (SSDI)
  • Alimony received (pre-2019 divorces)
  • Rental income (net of expenses)

The WDP (Working Disabled Program at 250% FPL) also excludes disability income — SSDI, state disability, and private disability benefits — from the income calculation.

What does not count as income under MAGI

  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  • Child support received
  • Gifts and inheritances
  • Loans
  • Veterans' benefits (most)
  • Worker's compensation
  • Savings, checking, investment accounts
  • Home equity and vehicle value

Asset limits: MAGI vs. long-term care Medi-Cal

Exempt assets (not counted in any category): primary home while applicant or spouse lives there, one vehicle, personal belongings, and prepaid funeral arrangements.

MAGI-based Medi-Cal

Asset test?
No
Who it covers
Adults 19–64, children, pregnant individuals, parents

Non-MAGI Medi-Cal (reinstated Jan 2026)

Asset test?
Yes — $130K / $195K
Who it covers
Seniors 65+, people with disabilities, nursing home residents

SSI-linked Medi-Cal

Asset test?
Yes — $2K / $3K
Who it covers
SSI recipients (SSI asset limit applies)

Medi-Cal

Visit the official California Medicaid website

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