Medi-Cal Income Limits 2026: California Chart

Applying is free, and Medi-Cal is health coverage, not a cash payment. To compare California with other states, see our national Medicaid income limits guide.

Medi-Cal Income Limits by Household Size (2026)

DHCS publishes more than 20 poverty-level cutoffs in its 2026 chart, but five of them decide coverage for most California households. According to the DHCS 2026 FPL data in Enclosure 1 of letter ACWDL 26-01 (dated January 21, 2026), a family of four can have up to $3,795 a month for the adults, $7,315 for the children and, if someone's pregnant, $5,858 for full-scope pregnancy coverage. These are gross monthly figures before taxes, and DHCS rounds each one up to the next dollar.

Source: DHCS, ACWDL 26-01 Enclosure 1, 2026 FPL Calculation Chart (Monthly Values) (opens in a new tab), with each percentage matched to its program in Enclosure 3 (opens in a new tab). DHCS's percentages already include the 5% MAGI disregard where it applies. MAGI figures are effective January 1, 2026; the Aged and Disabled FPL program uses them from April 1, 2026. C-CHIP runs only in San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.

Yearly limits for adults

Source: DHCS Eligibility by Federal Poverty Level chart (opens in a new tab), which runs to 12 people ($108,247). DHCS's Medicare Savings Programs page lists the two-person figure as $29,864, a $1 rounding difference between DHCS pages.

How children's limits split by age

The 266% column is the top of no-cost coverage for kids, but DHCS still assigns children to age-based Medicaid groups underneath it. Enclosure 3 lists 208% for infants under 1, 142% for ages 1 to 6 and 133% for ages 6 to 19, with the Optional Targeted Low-Income Children program carrying children up to 266%. For a family of three, that's $4,737, $3,234 and $3,029 a month for the three age bands. A family doesn't apply to each band separately; the county sorts the children after one application.

Seniors, disability and long-term care limits

Sources: DHCS Enclosures 1 and 3 (opens in a new tab), the DHCS Medicare Savings Programs page (opens in a new tab) and the asset limit FAQ (opens in a new tab). The couple asset figure is $130,000 plus $65,000 for the second person.

California doesn't use the 300%-of-SSI nursing home cap that many states use. A nursing home resident whose income is over the regular limit usually qualifies with a share of cost: they keep the $35 maintenance amount and pay most of the rest of their income toward care each month, and Medi-Cal pays the balance. People who get SSI are covered by Medi-Cal without a separate application; SSA's federal SSI rate is $994 a month for one person in 2026 and rises to $1,029 in 2027, per the SSA payment table (opens in a new tab).

How Medi-Cal Counts Your Income

Medi-Cal runs 2 counting systems, and which one applies depends on why you're eligible, not on how much you earn.

MAGI Medi-Cal covers adults 19 to 64, parents, children and pregnant people. Income follows the federal tax definition: wages, net self-employment income, unemployment pay and taxable Social Security count, while child support you receive, SSI and most gifts don't. The household follows your tax filing: you, a spouse and anyone you claim. A pregnant person counts herself plus each expected baby, so a pregnant woman living alone is a household of two. MAGI groups have no asset test, even after January 2026.

The 5% disregard is already built into DHCS's numbers. Enclosure 3 spells this out for one group, describing the 114% parent figure as "109% FPL, Plus 5% MAGI Disregard," and the 138% adult line works the same way on top of the 133% federal limit. Don't subtract 5% again from your pay.

Non-MAGI Medi-Cal covers people who qualify by age 65+, blindness or disability, nursing home care and the medically needy share-of-cost programs. It uses SSI-style rules with deductions for some income and, since January 1, 2026, a count of what you own.

For example, a family of three in California earning $3,500 a month gross (one parent, a 4-year-old and a 9-year-old) gets split answers. The parent is specifically $357 over the $3,143 adult limit, which is $42,000 a year against DHCS's $37,702 yearly line, so the parent doesn't qualify. Both children do, because the no-cost children's limit for three is $6,057 a month. That household ends up with two kids on Medi-Cal and a parent shopping for a subsidized plan on Covered California, which is exactly the split DHCS's own Help Center describes.

Medi-Cal Asset Limits Are Back in 2026

$130,000 is the most one person can own in countable assets and still get non-MAGI Medi-Cal, per the DHCS asset limit FAQ. Each extra household member adds $65,000, up to 10 people. DHCS says the count started January 1, 2026, and it applies to people who are 65 or older, have a disability, live in a nursing home or are in a family whose income is too high under federal tax rules (the medically needy group).

The limit falls sharply in 2027. Starting July 1, 2027, DHCS lists $21,000 for one person, $31,000 for two and $1,550 more for each extra person. Grantsights analysis of the two DHCS figures shows a single senior's ceiling drops by $109,000, or about 84%, on that date.

What counts and what doesn't, per DHCS:

• Counted: bank accounts, cash, second homes and second vehicles.
• Not counted: your main home, your main vehicle, household goods and clothing, and retirement funds you're getting regular payments from.
• Transfers: for nursing home applicants, Medi-Cal looks back 30 months. Gifts made before January 1, 2026 don't count; gifts made on or after that date can delay long-term care coverage.
• Spouses: married couples and registered domestic partners can split assets under spousal impoverishment rules when one partner needs nursing home care.

If you're near either limit, ask the county which rule applies to your specific program before moving money; some disability-related groups are handled differently.

Expansion vs Non-Expansion: Where Medi-Cal Stands

California is a Medicaid expansion state, so 133% of poverty plus the 5% disregard covers adults 19 to 64 with or without children. The Medicaid.gov eligibility levels table (opens in a new tab) (data as of December 1, 2023) lists California at 133% for expansion adults, 109% for parents and caretakers, 208% for pregnancy and 261% for children, all before the 5% disregard. Non-expansion states leave many adults with no Medicaid route at all; our Texas Medicaid income limits guide shows that gap. Our Oregon Medicaid income limits guide and Nevada Medicaid income limits guide cover California's two expansion neighbors.

What changes next, according to DHCS's Medi-Cal changes page and its H.R. 1 implementation plan (January 29, 2026):

• January 1, 2027, work rules. Expansion adults 19 to 64 must earn at least $580 a month, or spend 80 hours a month working, volunteering, in job training or in school at least half time, or a mix. DHCS lists exemptions for parents and caregivers of children 0 to 13, pregnant people, people with disabilities or serious health conditions, people on Medicare, American Indians and Alaska Natives, people released from jail in the last 90 days and former foster youth under 26.
• January 1, 2027, shorter retroactive coverage. Adults without children get 1 month of past bills covered instead of 3; everyone else gets 2.
• March 1, 2027, six-month renewals for expansion adults. Everyone else keeps renewing once a year.
• October 1, 2028, copayments for some expansion adults earning more than $15,560 a year, capped at 5% of household income.

DHCS's implementation plan estimates these federal changes could affect up to 2 million Medi-Cal members. None of them change the dollar limits above.

Immigration changes. As of January 1, 2026, DHCS has frozen new full-scope enrollment for some adults based on immigration status. Current members keep full-scope coverage if they renew on time, and anyone who loses it has three months to re-enroll before only restricted-scope (emergency, pregnancy and nursing home) coverage is open to them. Children 0 to 18, pregnant people and former foster youth under 26 remain eligible for full scope regardless of status. Starting October 2026, some refugees, asylees and humanitarian parolees lose federally funded coverage; DHCS says they get state-funded full-scope Medi-Cal until June 30, 2027. Dental changes and monthly premiums for some immigrant adults start July 1, 2027.

What DHCS Doesn't Tell You About Medi-Cal Income Limits

Grantsights found 5 gaps between how DHCS publishes these numbers and how they play out for a household:

1. The consumer chart shows only the adult line. DHCS's public chart lists one column, 138%, and stops. The children's, pregnancy and MCAP limits sit inside a county letter's enclosures. Grantsights analysis of Enclosure 1 found that for a family of four, children qualify up to $3,520 a month more than their parents ($7,315 versus $3,795), so a parent who reads only the public chart may never apply for the kids.
2. Two pregnancy programs with one door. Full-scope Medi-Cal ends at 213%, but MCAP covers pregnancy from there up to 322%. Many families underestimate how high that goes: $7,332 a month for a household of three.
3. Rounding works in your favor. Enclosure 1 rounds every monthly figure up to the next dollar, while the yearly chart rounds differently. If your income is within a few dollars of the line, the county uses the monthly figure for current income.
4. The asset limit has an expiration date. The $130,000 limit lasts only through June 30, 2027. A senior with $40,000 in savings is fine today but would be over the $21,000 limit after that date, and DHCS's FAQ notes that people over the limit at renewal may lose coverage.
5. Your county runs your case, not DHCS. DHCS sets the rules, but the county social services office decides your application, sends the Notice of Action and handles renewals. That's who to call about a specific case.

Common Mistakes and Red Flags

These errors lead to most wrong answers on Medi-Cal eligibility:

• Using take-home pay. MAGI limits use gross income minus a few tax deductions like pre-tax retirement contributions. Taxes withheld don't come off.
• Leaving out the baby. A common mistake is counting a pregnant woman as a household of one. Her household includes each expected child, which raises the limit.
• Assuming a 2025 denial still stands. The one-person adult limit rose from $21,597 a year in 2025 to $22,025 in 2026, per DHCS's H.R. 1 plan and 2026 chart. DHCS's own letter tells counties to recheck some 2026 denials using the new figures.
• Skipping the kids after a parent is denied. Each person is checked on their own, and the children's limit is close to double the adult one.
• Moving money without advice. Gifts made on or after January 1, 2026 can delay nursing home coverage. Spending on bills, home repairs or debts doesn't.
• Paying someone to apply. Applying for Medi-Cal is free. A red flag is any caller, website or "enrollment service" asking for a fee, gift cards or your bank login. County offices, Covered California and certified enrollers never charge.

How to Apply for Medi-Cal and How Long It Takes

DHCS's Help Center says counties have up to 45 days to decide an application and up to 90 days when you apply based on disability. You get a Notice of Action with the decision, and approved members get a Benefits Identification Card (BIC) by mail. You can apply at any time of year; there's no enrollment period.

1. Online: through BenefitsCal, the state benefits portal run with your county, or through Covered California (opens in a new tab), which screens for Medi-Cal and marketplace plans in one application.
2. By phone: call your county social services office, or the Medi-Cal Helpline at (800) 541-5555 to find it. Covered California's line is 1-800-300-1506.
3. By mail or in person: download the Medi-Cal application in your language from the DHCS apply page (opens in a new tab) or visit a county office.

Have pay stubs or a recent tax return, Social Security numbers and immigration documents ready. Seniors, people with disabilities and nursing home applicants should add bank statements, vehicle and property records and any life insurance policies, since the asset test now applies. California has no SNAP guide on Grantsights yet; our SNAP income limits guide covers CalFresh's federal rules.

What to Do If You're Denied

You have 90 days from the date on the Notice of Action to ask for a State Fair Hearing, according to the DHCS Help Center guide. You can ask through your county office, online, or by calling the California Department of Social Services Public Inquiry and Response line at 1-800-743-8525. You can also ask for a hearing if the county hasn't decided your application within 45 or 90 days.

Start with the reason on the notice. If it's income, compare the county's figure with your gross pay, your household size and DHCS's 2026 chart. If it's assets, check whether the county counted something DHCS lists as exempt, like your home or main car. Legal aid offices in California handle Medi-Cal hearings at no cost.

If You're Over the Medi-Cal Income Limit

At least 6 other routes are worth checking, and if you have children, your best bet is usually Medi-Cal for the kids:

• Covered California: adults over 138% can buy coverage with premium help; see HealthCare.gov's savings page (opens in a new tab) for how federal tax credits work. Losing Medi-Cal opens a special enrollment period.
• Medi-Cal for the children: no-cost coverage reaches 266% of poverty, so many families with parents on Covered California still have kids on Medi-Cal.
• MCAP: pregnancy coverage up to 322% of poverty.
• Share-of-cost Medi-Cal: seniors and people with disabilities over the limit can still qualify after paying a monthly amount toward care.
• Medicare Savings Programs: QMB, SLMB and QI pay Medicare premiums for people up to $1,796 a month (one person).
• Working Disabled Program: workers with disabilities can qualify up to 250% of poverty, $3,325 a month for one.

Californians juggling more than health coverage can check the federal poverty guidelines behind every Medi-Cal percentage, then compare SSI income limits and programs for seniors for an aging parent, WIC income limits for a new baby and LIHEAP income limits for summer cooling or winter heating bills. For help beyond health coverage, Grantsights' free eligibility checker can point you to official programs for rent, utilities and other needs. It doesn't decide Medi-Cal eligibility and doesn't file anything for you; it shows where to apply.

FAQ: Medi-Cal Income Limits

What is the income limit for Medi-Cal in 2026?

$1,836 a month for one adult and $3,795 for four, effective January 1, 2026.

How much can a family of 4 make and get Medi-Cal?

$3,795 a month for the parents; the children qualify up to $7,315.

What is the Medi-Cal income limit for pregnant women?

$3,843 a month for a household of two in full-scope Medi-Cal; MCAP goes to $5,809.

Does Medi-Cal have an asset limit in 2026?

Yes: $130,000 for one person through June 30, 2027, then $21,000.

What is the Medi-Cal income limit for seniors?

$1,836 a month for one person and $2,490 for a couple, from April 1, 2026.

Can undocumented adults still enroll in Medi-Cal?

Not in full-scope coverage since January 1, 2026; children and pregnant people still can.

When do Medi-Cal work requirements start?

January 1, 2027, for expansion adults without an exemption.

How long do I have to appeal a Medi-Cal denial?

90 days from the date on the Notice of Action.

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Sources

1. DHCS: ACWDL 26-01 Enclosure 1, 2026 FPL Calculation Chart (Monthly Values) (opens in a new tab), letter dated January 21, 2026; MAGI effective January 1, 2026; ABD and Working Disabled effective April 1, 2026
2. DHCS: ACWDL 26-01 Enclosure 3, Program Descriptions by FPL (opens in a new tab)
3. DHCS: Eligibility by Federal Poverty Level chart (opens in a new tab) - yearly 138% limits
4. DHCS: Asset Limit Frequently Asked Questions (opens in a new tab) - limits from January 1, 2026 and July 1, 2027
5. DHCS: Medi-Cal Changes (opens in a new tab) - enrollment freeze, work rules, six-month renewals, copays, immigration changes
6. DHCS: Implementation Plan for New Federal Eligibility and Enrollment Changes Under H.R. 1 (opens in a new tab), January 29, 2026
7. DHCS: Medicare Savings Programs in California (opens in a new tab) - 2026 QMB, SLMB, QI limits
8. DHCS: Medi-Cal Help Center (opens in a new tab) - 45/90-day processing, 90-day fair hearing deadline, share of cost
9. DHCS: Apply for Medi-Cal (opens in a new tab)
10. Medicaid.gov eligibility levels table (opens in a new tab) - California row, December 1, 2023 data
11. HHS ASPE: 2026 Poverty Guidelines (opens in a new tab)
12. SSA: SSI federal payment table (opens in a new tab) - federal SSI rate for SSI-linked Medi-Cal