Ohio Medicaid Income Limits 2026: Full Chart

Medicaid isn't a grant, and applying is free. For how Ohio compares with other states, see our national Medicaid income limits guide.

Ohio Medicaid Income Limits by Household Size (March 1, 2026)

Ohio's chart sets 6 income limits for the income-based (MAGI) groups. According to ODM's MEPL 194, effective March 1, 2026, a family of three can have up to $2,049 a month for a parent or caretaker group, $3,028 for expansion adults and $4,690 for uninsured children. Each figure is monthly gross income, before taxes.

Source: Ohio Department of Medicaid, MEPL 194: 2026 Federal Poverty Level Income Guidelines (opens in a new tab), effective March 1, 2026, for household sizes 1 to 6.

\ The 138% column isn't on Ohio's chart. Grantsights calculated it from 138% of the 2026 HHS poverty guideline (133% plus the 5% disregard) and rounded to the dollar.*

\\ Ohio's chart stops at six people. Rows 7 and 8 and the add-on row are calculated from the stated percentages of the 2026 HHS poverty guideline, rounded up the way Ohio's chart rounds. Your county caseworker's figure is the one that counts.

Ohio's chart also lists a separate 44% standard for some 19- and 20-year-olds ($586 a month for one person). Medicaid Buy-in for Workers with Disabilities uses 250% of poverty, $3,325 a month for one person.

Aged, blind, disabled and long-term care limits

Seniors 65+, people who are blind and people with disabilities use SSI-based rules instead of the chart above. Under Ohio Administrative Code 5160:1-3-03.5 (opens in a new tab), the income standard equals the SSI federal benefit rate.

Source: SSA's 2026 rates and its 2027 rates from the Federal Register notice of October 26, 2026 (opens in a new tab); Ohio rules 5160:1-3-05.1 (opens in a new tab) and 5160:1-6-03.1 (opens in a new tab). \Calculated as 300% of the $1,029 rate that starts January 1, 2027.*

How Ohio Counts Your Income

Ohio uses 2 different income systems, and which one applies depends on how you qualify.

MAGI groups (adults 19 to 64, parents, children and pregnant women) use modified adjusted gross income, the same figure the tax system uses. Wages, self-employment profit, unemployment, Social Security and most taxable income count. Child support you receive, SSI and veterans' disability benefits don't. Your household is usually your tax household: you, your spouse and the people you claim as dependents. If you don't file taxes, it's the people you live with who are your spouse or children. A pregnant woman counts herself plus each unborn child.

The 5% disregard comes from federal rule 42 CFR 435.603 (opens in a new tab). The agency subtracts 5% of the poverty guideline from your income when that would make you eligible for the group with the highest standard you can qualify under. For an adult in Ohio, that turns 133% into about 138%. According to the 2026 HHS poverty guideline data, 5% of poverty is $66.50 a month for one person, which is why the dollar figures on Ohio's chart look lower than the ones you see quoted elsewhere.

For example, a family of three in Ohio earning $3,100 a month gross (a parent and two kids) is specifically $72 over the $3,028 adult figure on Ohio's chart. After the disregard of $114 (5% of the $2,277 monthly poverty guideline for three), countable income is $2,986, under the limit, so the parent qualifies. The two children qualify easily: they're under the $4,690 uninsured-child limit by $1,590.

Aged, blind and disabled coverage uses SSI rules instead. Countable income is compared with the SSI rate, and both income and resources are checked. A married couple's income is compared with the couple standard when both are eligible.

Ohio Medicaid Asset Limits

The asset test is $2,000 for one person and $3,000 for a married couple, according to Ohio Administrative Code 5160:1-3-05.1 (opens in a new tab), and it applies only to aged, blind and disabled coverage and long-term care. The couple limit applies whether one or both spouses are eligible.

The MAGI groups (adults 19 to 64, parents, children, pregnant women) have no asset test at all. A family with $10,000 in savings can still qualify on income alone.

For nursing home care, a person whose income is over the $2,982 special income level can set up a qualified income trust under Ohio rule 5160:1-6-03.2. The trust must be irrevocable and hold only the person's income, and whatever is left at death goes to the state up to the Medicaid paid. Talk to a legal aid office or an elder law attorney before signing one. Married couples where one spouse needs long-term care have separate rules that protect income and resources for the spouse at home.

Expansion vs Non-Expansion: Where Ohio Stands in 2026

Ohio expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, so adults up to 138% of poverty can qualify without children or a disability. Its expansion group is called Group VIII (also MAGI Adult or Ribicoff coverage), and it covers adults 19 to 64 up to 138% of poverty who aren't eligible another way. In a non-expansion state such as Texas, most adults without children can't get Medicaid at any income; see our Texas Medicaid income limits guide for that contrast.

What changes on January 1, 2027. According to ODM's August 2026 partner packet, the federal law passed in 2025 adds a work and community engagement requirement for Group VIII adults:

• 80 hours a month of paid work, community service, school or job training, or a combination.
• Renewals every 6 months instead of every 12. At renewal, you'll need to show you met the requirement or were exempt for at least one month since your last application or renewal.
• Per the packet, ODM will first try to verify this from data it already has, then send a request for information if it can't.

Who's exempt: people who are pregnant or postpartum, parents or caretakers of a child 13 or younger or of a person with a disability, people who are medically frail (including those who are blind or disabled, or have a substance use disorder or serious mental illness), current or former foster youth under 26, tribal members, veterans with a total disability rating, people meeting TANF or SNAP work rules, people in drug or alcohol treatment, and people released from jail or prison within 3 months. People with Medicare or covered in another Medicaid group aren't subject to it.

The requirement doesn't change the income limits. It adds a second test for one group. You can check whether you're in Group VIII on the "View My Benefits" page of the Ohio Benefits self-service portal (opens in a new tab) or on a recent ODM notice.

What Ohio Medicaid's Income Chart Doesn't Tell You

Grantsights found 5 gaps between Ohio's chart and how eligibility actually works:

1. The adult column is 133%, not 138%. Ohio publishes the limit before the 5% disregard. Grantsights analysis of MEPL 194 against the 2026 HHS guidelines shows the disregard is worth $66.50 a month for one person and $137.50 a month for four. If you're a little over the chart, you may still qualify.
2. Your kids can qualify when you don't. Grantsights analysis of Ohio's chart found the gap between the uninsured-child limit (206%) and the adult limit (133%) is $2,007 a month for a family of four ($5,665 vs $3,658). Many parents underestimate this and never apply for their children.
3. The children's limit depends on insurance. Kids with other ("creditable") coverage qualify only up to 156%, and kids without it up to 206%. The Medicaid.gov eligibility levels table (opens in a new tab) lists only Ohio's 206% figure.
4. The chart stops at 6 people. Larger households need to calculate from the percentages or ask the county.
5. Seniors are on a different system. The MEPL chart covers MAGI groups and Medicare premium help, not aged, blind or disabled Medicaid. A senior who reads the 133% column and thinks $1,769 is the cutoff is using the wrong test; the ABD limit is $994 plus a $2,000 asset limit.

Common Mistakes and Red Flags

These are the errors that most often lead to a wrong answer:

• Using take-home pay. Ohio's limits are gross monthly income, before taxes and deductions. Subtract pre-tax retirement contributions, but not taxes.
• Counting the wrong household. Tax filers and non-filers are counted differently. A common mistake is leaving out an unborn child or adding a roommate who isn't part of your tax household.
• Assuming last year's limits. The four-person adult figure rose on March 1, 2026. Someone turned down in 2025 may qualify now.
• Skipping the children because a parent was denied. Each person is checked separately.
• Paying anyone to apply. Applying is free. A red flag is any website, caller or "enrollment service" that asks for a fee, a gift card or your bank login to file a Medicaid application. ODM and county job and family services offices never charge.
• Ignoring mail. Renewal packets and requests for information have deadlines. Missing one is a common reason people lose coverage they still qualify for.

How to Apply for Ohio Medicaid and How Long It Takes

Federal rules give Ohio up to 45 days to decide most applications and 90 days when eligibility depends on a disability, under 42 CFR 435.912 (opens in a new tab). Apply as soon as you need care; you don't need every document before you file.

1. Online: through the Ohio Benefits portal (opens in a new tab), which ODM lists as its online application.
2. By phone: ODM's materials list the Medicaid Consumer Hotline at (800) 324-8680.
3. In person: at your county department of job and family services.

Have proof of income (recent pay stubs or tax return), Social Security numbers for people applying, and ID ready. For aged, blind or disabled applications, add bank statements and asset records. If you also need food help, our Ohio food stamps guide covers SNAP, which uses different limits.

What to Do If You're Denied

Ohio gives you 90 calendar days to request a state hearing, starting the day after your notice is mailed, under Ohio Administrative Code 5101:6-3-02 (opens in a new tab). If a managed care plan denied a service, you usually appeal to the plan first, and the 90 days run from the plan's appeal decision.

Your best bet is to read the notice for the reason first. If it's income, compare the figure the county used with your actual gross pay and household size. Errors in household size, or a missing 5% disregard, are fixable. If you ask quickly, your notice explains how to keep coverage during the appeal. Ohio's legal aid offices may be able to help with a hearing at no cost.

If You're Over the Ohio Medicaid Limit

Being over the line by $100 isn't the end of the road, and it's worth it to check each of these before you give up. Other programs use different, often higher, cutoffs:

• Medicare Premium Assistance: if you have Medicare, ODM's MEPL 194 sets the 2026 limits at $1,330 a month for one person (QMB, 100%), $1,596 (SLMB, 120%) and $1,796 (QI-1, 135%). These pay Medicare premiums and sometimes cost-sharing.
• Marketplace coverage: adults over 138% can check HealthCare.gov's savings page (opens in a new tab) for premium tax credits. Losing Medicaid opens a special enrollment period.
• Pregnancy and children: a household over the adult limit may still have kids or a pregnant member who qualify at 200% to 206%.
• WIC uses 185% of poverty for pregnant women, new mothers and children under 5: see our WIC income limits guide.
• Seniors and people with disabilities: our SSI income limits guide and help for seniors programs guide cover cash and service programs.
• The poverty guidelines themselves: our federal poverty guidelines guide lists 100% to 200% for every household size, and our SNAP income limits guide covers food help.

If you're dealing with more than medical bills, Grantsights' free eligibility checker can point you to official programs for rent, utilities and other needs. It doesn't decide Medicaid eligibility and doesn't file anything; it shows you where to apply.

FAQ: Ohio Medicaid Income Limits

What is the income limit for Ohio Medicaid in 2026?

$1,769 a month for one adult on Ohio's chart, or about $1,835 with the 5% disregard, from March 1, 2026.

How much can a family of 4 make and get Medicaid in Ohio?

About $3,795 a month for the adults, and up to $5,665 for uninsured children.

What is the Ohio Medicaid income limit for pregnant women?

200% of poverty: $3,607 a month for two, $4,554 for three.

What is the income limit for Ohio Medicaid for seniors and people with disabilities?

$994 a month for one person and $1,491 for a couple in 2026, with a $2,000 or $3,000 asset limit.

What is the Ohio Medicaid income limit for nursing home care?

$2,982 a month in 2026. A qualified income trust can help people over that.

Does Ohio Medicaid have an asset limit?

Only for aged, blind and disabled coverage and long-term care: $2,000 single, $3,000 couple.

Is Ohio adding a Medicaid work requirement?

Yes, for expansion adults, starting January 1, 2027: 80 hours a month unless exempt.

When do Ohio Medicaid income limits change?

Each March 1 for the chart; each January for SSI-based limits.

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Sources

1. Ohio Department of Medicaid: MEPL 194, 2026 Federal Poverty Level Income Guidelines (opens in a new tab), issued January 21, 2026, effective March 1, 2026 - MAGI, MBIWD and Medicare Premium Assistance limits
2. Ohio Department of Medicaid: Group VIII Work and Community Engagement Requirement Partner Packet, Version 2 (opens in a new tab), August 2026 - January 1, 2027 start, 80 hours, exemptions, six-month renewals
3. Ohio Administrative Code 5160:1-3-03.5: ABD income standards (opens in a new tab), effective June 8, 2025
4. Ohio Administrative Code 5160:1-3-05.1: Resources (opens in a new tab), effective April 1, 2022
5. Ohio Administrative Code 5160:1-6-03.1: Special income level (opens in a new tab), effective December 1, 2023, and 5160:1-6-03.2: Qualified income trusts (opens in a new tab)
6. Ohio Administrative Code 5101:6-3-02: State hearing requests (opens in a new tab), effective April 1, 2023
7. Ohio Department of Medicaid: Pregnancy Related Services booklet (opens in a new tab) - application routes and Consumer Hotline
8. HHS ASPE: 2026 Poverty Guidelines (opens in a new tab)
9. Federal Register: Cost-of-Living Increase and Other Determinations for 2027 (opens in a new tab), October 26, 2026 - 2026 and 2027 SSI rates
10. Medicaid.gov: Medicaid, CHIP and BHP Eligibility Levels (opens in a new tab), as of December 1, 2023
11. eCFR: 42 CFR 435.603 (MAGI and the 5% disregard) (opens in a new tab) and 42 CFR 435.912 (application timeliness) (opens in a new tab)
12. HealthCare.gov: Lower costs on Marketplace coverage (opens in a new tab)