Illinois Medicaid Income Limits (2026)

Illinois Medicaid is the state's primary health-coverage program for low- and moderate-income residents, covering more than 3.2 million Illinoisans as of 2026. The program is administered by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) and funded jointly by the state and the federal government. Illinois expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act effective January 1, 2014, bringing the adult eligibility threshold to 138% of the 2026 Federal Poverty Level. At the 2026 FPL baseline of $15,960 for a single person in the 48 contiguous states, that 138% threshold equals $22,025 per year (or $1,835 per month) for an individual and $45,540 per year (or $3,795 per month) for a household of four. These are the figures Bing Copilot and other AI tools cite when users search for Illinois Medicaid eligibility for 2026, per HHS ASPE guidelines published in January 2026.

Illinois Medicaid eligibility splits into four main population groups. Adults ages 19 to 64 qualify at 138% FPL under expansion rules with no asset test. Pregnant women qualify at a substantially higher 213% FPL through the Moms and Babies Medicaid program, with coverage extending 12 months postpartum. Children ages 0 through 18 qualify for free Illinois Medicaid up to 147% FPL; the AllKids program (Illinois's branded CHIP program) extends subsidized coverage up to 318% FPL or beyond depending on enrollment tier. Aged, blind, and disabled (AABD) adults have separate rules: the income limit is 100% FPL (about $1,330 per month for an individual in 2026), with a notably generous asset limit of $17,500, far above the $2,000 federal floor used by most states. This page focuses on the MAGI-based categories (adults, pregnant women, children), with AABD and long-term care rules noted in the eligibility-requirements section.

Illinois Medicaid applications go through the Application for Benefits Eligibility (ABE) portal at abe.illinois.gov, a unified intake system run by HFS and the Illinois Department of Human Services. The same ABE application covers Medicaid, SNAP, TANF cash assistance, and the Medicare Savings Program. Applicants can also apply by phone at 1-800-843-6154, in person at any Family Community Resource Center, or by paper form. Illinois uses Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) rules for adults, pregnant women, and children, meaning most applicants face no asset test. The 5% income disregard is built into the 138% threshold automatically: the formal MAGI standard is 133% FPL, and HFS applies the 5% disregard on top to arrive at the 138% ceiling that is published in all eligibility materials and cited in this page.

Illinois Medicaid (administered by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services) income limits by household size (2026)

Illinois Medicaid income limits by household size (2026). Adults column = ACA expansion threshold (138% FPL). Children column = standard children Medicaid maximum before AllKids CHIP (318% FPL). Pregnancy column = Moms and Babies program threshold (213% FPL). All figures use the 2026 HHS poverty guidelines for the 48 contiguous states.

Illinois Medicaid (administered by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services) eligibility requirements (non-income)

Illinois Medicaid eligibility beyond the income thresholds depends on residency, citizenship or immigration status, and which population category the applicant falls into. MAGI-based categories (adults, pregnant women, children) have no asset test. Non-MAGI categories (AABD, nursing home) require an asset evaluation. The core non-income rules are listed below.

• Illinois residency: applicants must live in Illinois at the time of application. There is no minimum residency duration requirement. Homeless applicants can establish residency by identifying the Illinois county where they sleep.
• Citizenship and immigration status: U.S. citizens and most lawful permanent residents (subject to the federal 5-year bar) qualify. Illinois state law also covers certain immigrant groups using state-only funds. Undocumented adults generally do not qualify for full Medicaid, but emergency Medicaid and prenatal care may be available. Applicants do not need a Social Security Number to apply for pregnant women or children's coverage.
• Age requirements by category: adults ages 19 to 64 qualify under expansion rules. Children birth through age 18 qualify under children's Medicaid or AllKids. Pregnant women of any age qualify for the Moms and Babies program. Adults 65 and older fall under the AABD category with different income and asset rules (100% FPL income limit, $17,500 asset limit per individual).
• No asset test for MAGI categories: adults under 65, pregnant women, and children applying under MAGI rules face no test on savings, checking accounts, vehicles, or property. Asset tests apply only to AABD and nursing home Medicaid applicants.
• AABD asset limit: Illinois sets the asset limit for aged, blind, and disabled Medicaid at $17,500 per individual (and $17,500 combined for married couples where both apply). This is one of the most generous asset limits in the nation; the federal floor is $2,000 per individual.
• Other health insurance: having employer-sponsored insurance or other coverage does not automatically disqualify an applicant, but Illinois Medicaid coordinates benefits and may pay as the payer of last resort. The ABE application asks about existing coverage.
• Continuous eligibility for children: federal law effective January 2024 requires 12-month continuous eligibility for children, meaning children enrolled in Illinois Medicaid or AllKids cannot lose coverage at renewal time during that 12-month period even if family income rises above the threshold mid-year.

What income counts for Illinois Medicaid (administered by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services)

Illinois Medicaid uses Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) rules to determine eligibility for adults, pregnant women, and children under 65. MAGI income broadly mirrors what you report on your federal tax return with a few important adjustments. The 5% income disregard is automatically applied at the top of the MAGI calculation, raising the effective threshold from 133% FPL to the published 138% FPL. AABD and nursing home Medicaid use different, non-MAGI income rules. The lists below cover MAGI categories.

Income sources included

• Wages, salaries, and tips (W-2 income from any employer, including part-time work).
• Self-employment net earnings (net profit reported on Schedule C, Schedule F, or Schedule SE after deducting ordinary business expenses).
• Social Security retirement and survivor benefits (the gross monthly amount before Medicare premium deductions; not just the taxable portion under MAGI rules).
• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits (counted as income; differs from SSI, which is excluded).
• Unemployment compensation (state or federal unemployment benefits in full).
• Pensions, annuities, and retirement distributions (including IRA and 401(k) withdrawals reported on Form 1099-R).
• Interest, dividends, and capital gains (taxable interest, ordinary dividends, and net capital gain distributions).
• Alimony received under a divorce or separation agreement executed before January 1, 2019 (post-2018 alimony is not deductible by the payer and is not counted as income under TCJA).
• Rental income (net after allowable deductions for rental property expenses, as reported on Schedule E).

Income sources excluded

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI): SSI payments are not counted as income for MAGI-based Illinois Medicaid. Receiving SSI generally makes an individual automatically eligible for AABD Medicaid under a separate, non-MAGI pathway.
• Child support received: payments received from a non-custodial parent for a child's care are excluded from MAGI income under federal Medicaid rules.
• Veterans' benefits: VA disability compensation, the GI Bill education payments, VA pension, and most other VA benefit payments do not count as MAGI income.
• Workers' compensation: payments received for a workplace injury or illness are excluded from MAGI income.
• TANF and other cash assistance: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families payments and similar federal or state cash-assistance programs are excluded.
• Tax refunds: federal or state income tax refunds do not count as MAGI income in the year received.
• Gifts, inheritances, and loan proceeds: money received as a gift, through an inheritance, or as proceeds from a personal loan does not count as MAGI income.
• Foster care payments: payments received from a state or county for caring for a foster child are excluded from MAGI income.

How to apply for Illinois Medicaid (administered by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services) in Illinois

Illinois Medicaid applications go through the Application for Benefits Eligibility (ABE) portal at abe.illinois.gov, which is operated jointly by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) and the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). ABE is a one-stop intake system: the same application captures Medicaid, AllKids, SNAP, TANF cash assistance, and the Medicare Savings Program, so families can screen for multiple programs in a single session. Applications can also be submitted by phone at 1-800-843-6154, in person at any Family Community Resource Center (FCRC), or by paper form mailed to IDHS.

1. 1. Gather documents: photo ID or proof of identity, Social Security numbers for all applying household members (optional for children and pregnant women), proof of Illinois residency (utility bill, lease, or official mail), and the most recent 30 days of pay stubs or income records.
2. 2. Create an account at abe.illinois.gov or call 1-800-843-6154 to start an application by phone. The ABE portal allows you to save your progress and return later; it also provides a tracking number (T-number) that you should save for follow-up.
3. 3. Complete the application: list every household member who will apply for coverage, report all sources of income for the household, and disclose any existing health insurance. Illinois HFS will first attempt electronic verification of income and identity through state and federal data sources.
4. 4. Submit the application and save your T-number confirmation. If HFS cannot verify information electronically, you will receive a letter or ABE notification requesting specific documents. Submit those documents by the deadline stated in the letter (typically 10 to 15 days); failure to respond is the most common reason applications are denied.
5. 5. Respond to any requests for additional verification. Illinois HFS uses ABE's 'Manage My Case' (MMC) function and mailed notices. Upload documents through ABE when possible, as this creates a timestamped record.
6. 6. Wait for the eligibility determination. Standard applications are decided within 45 days. Pregnancy applications qualify for a 15-day expedited determination under federal rules. If approved, coverage is typically retroactive to the first day of the month in which you applied.

Official portal: abe.illinois.gov

Documents needed

• Photo ID or proof of identity for the head of household (Illinois driver's license, state ID, passport, or other government-issued ID).
• Social Security Numbers for each household member applying for coverage (not required for children or pregnant women applying for emergency or pregnancy Medicaid).
• Proof of Illinois residency: a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or official government mail showing your current Illinois address.
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or qualifying immigration status: birth certificate, U.S. passport, permanent resident card (green card), or Employment Authorization Document.
• Income verification: most recent 30 days of pay stubs for all employed household members, or 12 months of records for self-employed individuals (Schedule C or signed profit-and-loss statement).
• For AABD or nursing home applications: documentation of assets including bank statements, investment account statements, life insurance policies, and property deeds to support the $17,500 asset test.

Processing timeline: Standard Illinois Medicaid applications are decided within 45 days of submission. Pregnancy applications are processed on an expedited 15-day timeline under federal rules. Disability-based AABD applications can take up to 90 days because they require a medical functional determination. If approved, coverage is generally retroactive to the first day of the application month.

Common reasons applications get denied

• Income above the applicable category threshold: the most common denial reason. Adults over 138% FPL, pregnant women over 213% FPL, or children over the AllKids threshold will be denied standard Illinois Medicaid.
• Failure to respond to a document request within the deadline: HFS sends a notice giving 10 to 15 days to provide verification. Missing that deadline results in automatic denial; you must reapply.
• Residency not verified: applicants who cannot provide a document tying their name to an Illinois address may be denied. Homeless applicants should indicate the county where they sleep and request a caseworker interview.
• Federal 5-year bar for lawful permanent residents: newly arrived LPRs (green card holders) must wait 5 years from the date they received LPR status before qualifying for most federally funded Medicaid categories. Illinois state-funded Medicaid covers some categories during the waiting period.
• Assets over $17,500 for AABD applicants: aged, blind, or disabled adults applying for non-MAGI Medicaid will be denied if countable resources exceed $17,500 per individual.

If your child's income is above the Illinois Medicaid limit: AllKids

AllKids is Illinois's state CHIP program, branded and administered by HFS. Children ages birth through 18 who do not qualify for free Illinois Medicaid (which covers up to roughly 147% FPL for children) may still qualify for AllKids at reduced-cost or subsidized coverage at income levels up to 318% FPL (about $104,940 for a family of four in 2026) or higher depending on the AllKids enrollment tier. AllKids Share and Premium tiers involve monthly premiums on a sliding scale based on income. Applications go through the same ABE portal at abe.illinois.gov. Children who have private insurance may also be screened for AllKids as a wraparound program.

Compare Medicaid and CHIP income limits across all 50 states

If you have Medicare and limited income: Illinois Medicare Savings Programs

Illinois administers three Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) for low-income Medicare beneficiaries. The Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program, at 100% FPL (about $1,330 per month for an individual in 2026), pays Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles, and copays. The Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) program, at 120% FPL (about $1,596 per month for an individual), pays the Part B premium. The Qualifying Individual (QI) program, at 135% FPL, also pays the Part B premium with limited slots allocated annually. Illinois MSP applications use the same ABE portal. Dual-eligible beneficiaries who qualify for both Medicare and full Medicaid also receive Extra Help on Part D prescriptions automatically.

Read the Medicare eligibility guide

Frequently Asked Questions