Medi-Cal Income Limits in California (2026)

Medi-Cal covers more than one in three Californians, making it the largest state Medicaid program in the United States by enrollment. California adopted the Affordable Care Act's Medicaid expansion on January 1, 2014, extending Medi-Cal to all income-eligible adults under 138% of the Federal Poverty Level with no asset test and no requirement to have dependent children. The 2026 Federal Poverty Level is $15,960 for a single person in the 48 contiguous states, with an increment of $5,680 for each additional household member. Every Medi-Cal income threshold shown on this page is calculated from that 2026 FPL base as published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE).

Medi-Cal eligibility divides into several coverage groups, each with its own income threshold. Most adults ages 19 to 64 qualify under the MAGI (Modified Adjusted Gross Income) expansion group at 138% FPL. Pregnant Californians qualify at a higher threshold of 213% FPL, with postpartum coverage continuing for 12 months after the end of pregnancy. Children qualify for Medi-Cal up to 266% FPL, and the Medi-Cal Access Program (MCAP) extends pregnancy coverage between 213% and 322% FPL for those who do not qualify for standard Medi-Cal. Older adults and people with disabilities who do not fall under the MAGI categories are subject to SSI income rules and, as of January 1, 2026, a reinstated asset test of $130,000 for an individual and $195,000 for a couple.

Medi-Cal provides comprehensive coverage with no monthly premium for most enrollees, including doctor visits, hospital stays, mental health services, substance use disorder treatment, dental care, vision, and long-term care. Managed care plans deliver most Medi-Cal benefits through county-organized health systems and statewide plans. CalAIM, California's Medicaid transformation initiative, expanded home-based and community-based services starting in 2022. For 2026, important state-budget-driven changes include a freeze on new full-scope enrollment for undocumented adults and the reinstatement of asset limits for aged, blind, and disabled Medi-Cal categories. If your income is above the Medi-Cal threshold but below 400% FPL, you may qualify for subsidized plans through Covered California, the state's ACA marketplace.

Medi-Cal (California Medicaid) income limits by household size (2026)

The 2026 Medi-Cal income guidelines below are based on the 2026 Federal Poverty Level for the 48 contiguous states. Adult column = MAGI expansion group (138% FPL, ages 19-64, with or without children). Children column = children's Medi-Cal (266% FPL, ages 0-18). Pregnancy column = Medi-Cal for Pregnant Women (213% FPL; the Medi-Cal Access Program extends coverage to 322% FPL for those above 213%). Add $5,680 of annual income per additional household member.

Medi-Cal (California Medicaid) eligibility requirements (non-income)

Beyond income, Medi-Cal applicants must meet the following non-income requirements. These criteria apply to the MAGI categories (adults 19-64, children, pregnant individuals) that cover the vast majority of Medi-Cal enrollees. Aged, blind, and disabled populations follow SSI-linked rules with additional asset requirements.

• California residency: the applicant must currently live in California with the intent to remain. No minimum length of residence is required. People experiencing homelessness can use a shelter address or a statement of California presence.
• U.S. citizenship or qualifying immigration status: U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (after a 5-year federal bar in most cases), refugees, asylees, and certain other qualified non-citizens are eligible. Children and pregnant individuals are exempt from the 5-year bar under federal CHIPRA. California uses state funds to cover certain income-eligible undocumented Californians who were enrolled in full-scope Medi-Cal on or before December 31, 2025; new undocumented adult applicants after January 2026 are limited to emergency services and pregnancy-related care.
• Age: adults ages 19 through 64 qualify under the expansion MAGI group. Children ages 0 through 18 qualify at the higher 266% FPL threshold. Adults 65 and older fall under the aged Medi-Cal category with income and asset tests linked to SSI federal benefit rates.
• Social Security Number: required for U.S. citizens and most qualified non-citizens applying for full-scope Medi-Cal. Applicants who do not have or cannot provide an SSN may still apply; DHCS attempts to verify SSNs through the federal data hub. Undocumented individuals applying under state-funded Medi-Cal do not need to provide an SSN.
• Asset test (MAGI categories): Medi-Cal's MAGI categories (adults, children, pregnant individuals) have NO asset test. Savings accounts, vehicles, home equity, retirement accounts, and investment portfolios do not affect eligibility for MAGI Medi-Cal.
• Asset test (Non-MAGI categories): adults 65 and older, blind, or disabled who do not qualify under MAGI are subject to an asset limit reinstated January 1, 2026. The limit is $130,000 for an individual and $195,000 for a couple, with $65,000 added for each additional household member. The primary home, one vehicle, and certain burial accounts are excluded. Assets are reviewed at annual renewal.
• Other health coverage: Medi-Cal is the payer of last resort. Having employer-sponsored insurance, Medicare, or private coverage does not disqualify an applicant. Medi-Cal can wrap around other coverage to pay remaining costs. Dual-eligible beneficiaries (both Medi-Cal and Medicare) may access Medicare-Medi-Cal Plans (MMPs) or Dual Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs) in California.

What income counts for Medi-Cal (California Medicaid)

Medi-Cal uses Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) rules for adults, children, and pregnant individuals. MAGI income is essentially the household's projected federal-tax-return income for the year, with a few additions. California does not impose an additional 5% income disregard on top of the federal rules for most MAGI categories; the published thresholds shown in the table above are the operative limits. Non-MAGI categories (aged, blind, disabled) use SSI countable-income rules, which differ significantly.

Income sources included

• Wages, salaries, tips, overtime, and bonuses (gross, before payroll deductions or federal income tax withholding)
• Net self-employment earnings after allowable business expenses (1099-NEC, Schedule C, gig-work platforms such as DoorDash, Uber, Lyft, Instacart)
• Social Security retirement benefits and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI); note that Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments are excluded
• Unemployment insurance compensation
• Pensions, annuities, and retirement-account distributions (Traditional IRA, 401(k), CalSTRS, CalPERS withdrawals)
• Alimony received under divorce or separation agreements finalized before January 1, 2019 (post-2018 alimony is not deductible by the payer and not taxable to the recipient under TCJA; it is excluded from MAGI)
• Investment income: interest, dividends, short-term and long-term capital gains, rental income, and royalties
• Foreign earned income (even if excluded on the federal return under IRS Form 2555, it counts for MAGI Medi-Cal)

Income sources excluded

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments (these are distinct from SSDI; SSI recipients are automatically enrolled in Medi-Cal in California)
• Child support received from the other parent
• Veterans Affairs disability compensation, VA pension, and GI Bill education benefits
• Workers' compensation payments for job-related injuries or illnesses
• Federal and California state income tax refunds and refundable credits (Earned Income Tax Credit, California EITC, Child Tax Credit)
• CalFresh (SNAP), CalWORKs (TANF), and other means-tested public benefit payments
• Gifts, loans, and one-time inheritances received

How to apply for Medi-Cal (California Medicaid) in California

Medi-Cal applications go through BenefitsCal.com, the statewide online benefits portal run by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), or through Covered California (coveredca.com), the state's ACA marketplace, which uses a Single Streamlined Application that simultaneously screens for Medi-Cal and subsidized marketplace plans. Applications can also be submitted at your county social services or human services office, by phone at 1-800-541-5555, or by mail using the SAWS-1 form. California has no waiting period or open-enrollment window for Medi-Cal; eligible applicants can apply any time of year.

1. 1. Gather documents before you start: photo ID or other identity verification, Social Security Numbers for household members applying for coverage, proof of California residency (utility bill, lease, or official mail), proof of citizenship or immigration status, and income documentation (pay stubs from the past 30 days, or a 12-month self-employment record).
2. 2. Create an account at BenefitsCal.com (for CalFresh, Medi-Cal, and CalWORKs combined) or at coveredca.com (for Medi-Cal + Covered California marketplace plans in one application). Both portals are available in English and Spanish. If you prefer to apply in person, visit your county social services office; a list of county offices is at dhcs.ca.gov.
3. 3. Complete the application by listing every household member, reporting all income sources, and uploading or attaching the required documents. The Covered California Single Streamlined Application checks both Medi-Cal and Covered California eligibility in one pass and routes your case to the correct program automatically.
4. 4. Sign the application electronically (or by hand if submitting by mail or at a county office). Save your confirmation number. Your county social services office will contact you if additional information is needed.
5. 5. Respond promptly to any county request for additional documentation. California counties are required to give you at least 10 working days to provide supporting documents. Missing this window is one of the most common reasons Medi-Cal applications are denied or delayed.
6. 6. Wait for the eligibility determination. Standard Medi-Cal applications are decided within 45 days. Applications for people with a disability may take up to 90 days. Pregnancy applications are expedited and are typically decided within 15 days under federal rules. Coverage is retroactive to the first day of the month in which you applied if you are found eligible.

Official portal: BenefitsCal.com

Documents needed

• Photo ID or other identity verification (California driver's license, state ID, passport, consular ID, or birth certificate)
• Social Security Numbers for every household member applying for coverage (applicants without an SSN may still apply; county will attempt federal data-hub verification)
• Proof of California residency (utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement showing California address, or a letter from a shelter)
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or qualifying immigration status (birth certificate, U.S. passport, permanent-resident card, asylee approval notice, or visa documentation)
• Income documentation for the past 30 days: pay stubs from all jobs, an employer letter stating hourly rate and average hours, or a 12-month profit/loss statement for self-employment
• Social Security award letter or benefit verification letter if receiving SSDI, SSI, or Social Security retirement
• Tax return (most recent year filed) or a signed statement that no return was required; this is used for self-employment income verification

Processing timeline: Standard Medi-Cal applications must be decided within 45 days of submission. Applications for individuals with a disability that requires medical review may take up to 90 days. Pregnant applicants are prioritized and are typically determined within 15 days under federal expedited-processing rules. Once approved, coverage generally begins retroactively from the first day of the month in which you applied.

Common reasons applications get denied

• Income above the applicable Medi-Cal threshold for the applicant's coverage group (the single most common reason for adult denials).
• Failure to provide requested documentation within the 10-working-day response window issued by the county.
• Inability to verify California residency (no utility bill, lease, or official document showing a California address).
• Federal 5-year bar for certain recently arrived lawful permanent residents (does not apply to children, pregnant individuals, refugees, or asylees).
• Assets above the $130,000 individual limit for Non-MAGI Medi-Cal applicants (aged 65+, blind, or disabled), reinstated January 1, 2026.

If your child's family income is above the Medi-Cal children's limit

California's children's Medi-Cal threshold is already among the highest in the nation at 266% FPL ($87,780 per year for a family of four in 2026). Children whose household income falls above 266% FPL may still qualify for coverage through subsidized Covered California family plans. Families above the Medi-Cal children's limit but below 400% FPL may find the most cost-effective option is an ACA plan with a premium tax credit through Covered California. For children with special health care needs, the California Children's Services (CCS) program provides specialty care regardless of Medi-Cal status. Compare income limits across all states to see how California's children's coverage compares nationally.

Compare Medicaid and CHIP income limits across all 50 states

If you are 65 or older with limited income and Medicare coverage

California administers four Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) that help low-income Medicare beneficiaries pay Part B premiums, deductibles, and copayments. The Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program covers Medicare Part A and Part B premiums plus most cost-sharing for individuals with income up to 100% FPL ($15,960 per year in 2026). The Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) program pays Part B premiums for individuals with income between 100% and 120% FPL. The Qualifying Individual (QI) program covers Part B premiums for incomes between 120% and 135% FPL. California also has a Qualified Disabled Working Individual (QDWI) program covering Part A premiums for working people with disabilities who are no longer automatically entitled to premium-free Part A. California's dual-eligible beneficiaries (enrolled in both Medi-Cal and Medicare) may also access Cal MediConnect or Medi-Medi plans in participating counties for coordinated care. Apply for MSPs through your county social services office or at dhcs.ca.gov.

Read the Medicare eligibility and savings programs guide

Frequently Asked Questions