Do I Qualify for ALL Kids (Alabama CHIP) in 2026?

Quick Answer: Does My Child Qualify for ALL Kids in Alabama?

Yes, if your child is under 19, lives in Alabama, is uninsured, and your household income is at or below 312% of the 2026 federal poverty level (approximately $104,616 per year for a family of four). Alabama uses a joint Medicaid and ALL Kids application: children whose income qualifies for Medicaid enroll in Medicaid at zero cost; children above the Medicaid limit but at or below 312% FPL enroll in ALL Kids at a low annual premium.

ALL Kids Alabama Income Limits by Household Size (2026)

Alabama's ALL Kids income guidelines effective February 1, 2026, divide households into three coverage tiers based on monthly gross income. Children in families at or below the Medicaid column thresholds enroll in Alabama Medicaid at no cost. Children in families between the Medicaid ceiling and the first ALL Kids column enroll in the Low Fee tier at $52 per child per year (family cap: $156). Children in families between the Low Fee ceiling and the ALL Kids Fee upper limit enroll in the Fee tier at $104 per child per year (family cap: $312). The ALL Kids Fee column marks the program's outer boundary at approximately 312% FPL.

Alabama's income guidelines use monthly gross income rather than annual income. When reviewing your eligibility, use your household's average monthly gross earnings before taxes and deductions. Income counted under the MAGI (Modified Adjusted Gross Income) rules includes wages, salaries, self-employment income, Social Security income, unemployment benefits, and most other taxable income. Tax-exempt income types such as child support received, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and veterans' disability benefits are generally excluded from MAGI.

How to Apply for ALL Kids in Alabama

Alabama uses a joint application that simultaneously evaluates children for Medicaid and ALL Kids. Applications are accepted year-round at no cost to submit. The fastest method is online through the Alabama Department of Public Health portal at alabamapublichealth.gov/allkids. Paper applications can be printed from the website, picked up at any county health department, hospital, pharmacy, or school, or mailed to you by calling 1-888-373-5437 (Monday through Friday). Mail completed paper applications to ALL Kids, P.O. Box 304839, Montgomery, AL 36130-4839, or fax to (334) 206-3783.

Alabama has up to 45 days to process a standard ALL Kids application. Once approved, children in the ALL Kids Low Fee or Fee tier receive a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama card. The annual premium ($52 or $104 per child) does not have to be paid in full before using services. Since January 1, 2024, all states must provide 12 months of continuous eligibility, meaning Alabama must maintain a child's coverage for a full year even if household income rises during that period.

Documents Needed to Apply for ALL Kids

Alabama requires several documents to verify the child's eligibility for ALL Kids. Assembling these before applying speeds up the determination process. The six most important document categories are listed in the How to Apply section above. Alabama allows a 90-day window to provide citizenship documentation if electronic verification fails, but all other documents should accompany the initial application. If you need help completing the application, call the ALL Kids customer service line at 1-888-373-5437.

• Child's birth certificate, U.S. passport, or valid state photo ID (proof of identity and citizenship)
• Social Security numbers for the child and all household members
• Immigration documents if the child is a non-citizen (lawful permanent resident card, visa, I-94, or naturalization certificate)
• Proof of Alabama residency: recent utility bill, bank statement, lease, mortgage statement, or school enrollment record showing current Alabama address
• Proof of current income for all earning members: last two pay stubs, most recent W-2 or 1099, federal tax return, self-employment records, or a letter from the employer
• Proof that the child is uninsured: ALL Kids requires children to lack other health coverage; if a parent's employer offers coverage for the child, complete Appendix A of the application

Is Alabama a Medicaid Expansion State?

Alabama is one of 10 states that have not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. The 10 non-expansion states as of 2026 are Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. In expansion states, adults with household income up to 138% FPL qualify for Medicaid. Alabama has not adopted that expansion, so most non-disabled adults in Alabama do not qualify for Medicaid based on income alone, regardless of how low their income is.

Alabama's non-expansion status does not affect children's eligibility for ALL Kids or Alabama Medicaid for children. Children in Alabama have their own eligibility track based on family size and household composition: those below the Medicaid income ceiling qualify for Alabama Medicaid regardless of expansion status; those above the Medicaid ceiling but at or below 312% FPL qualify for ALL Kids. Adults in Alabama who fall into the ACA gap (too much income for traditional Medicaid, too little for ACA subsidies because ACA subsidies require income of at least 100% FPL) are not covered by ALL Kids and face limited options. Starting in 2026, ACA Premium Tax Credits require income of at least 100% FPL to qualify, and the enhanced subsidies from the American Rescue Plan Act expired January 1, 2026.

Common Reasons ALL Kids Applications Get Denied in Alabama

Alabama's ALL Kids program has five primary denial reasons. Understanding them in advance prevents delays and increases approval chances.

• Household income above 312% FPL: the most common reason. Alabama directs families above the ALL Kids limit to the ACA Marketplace at healthcare.gov. Premium Tax Credits are available to families with income between 100% and 400% FPL, and cost-sharing reductions apply up to 250% FPL.
• Child already has other health coverage: ALL Kids requires the child to be uninsured. If a parent's employer offers coverage that could cover the child, and the premium is below the 5% of household income threshold, the child may not qualify for ALL Kids.
• Missing documentation: incomplete applications are the leading cause of processing delays. Double-check that the application is signed (Step 5) and that income and identity documents are attached.
• Child is 19 years or older: ALL Kids covers children through age 18. Once a child turns 19, coverage ends and the young adult must apply separately through Alabama Medicaid (if eligible for a non-income-based category such as pregnancy or disability) or the ACA Marketplace.
• Residency not confirmed: Alabama requires children to be state residents. Families who recently moved to Alabama must provide a current Alabama address; a school enrollment letter or utility bill in the new address is the fastest way to establish residency.

How to Appeal a Denial of ALL Kids Coverage

Alabama applicants who are denied ALL Kids coverage have the right to a fair hearing. The denial notice sent by the Alabama Department of Public Health will state the specific reason and the deadline to appeal, typically 30 to 90 days from the date of the denial letter. To request a hearing, submit a written appeal to ADPH at the address on the denial notice, or call 1-888-373-5437 to start the process by phone. Denied applicants have the right to review all agency documents, present witnesses and testimony, and request independent medical assessments at agency expense when medical necessity is at issue.

Alabama Medicaid fair hearings are handled through a separate state agency if the denial involves the Medicaid portion of a joint application. If the child was denied Medicaid and also denied ALL Kids, two separate appeal paths may apply. Contact the Alabama Medicaid Agency at medicaid.alabama.gov or 1-800-362-1504 for Medicaid-specific denials.

What ALL Kids Covers in Alabama

ALL Kids provides comprehensive coverage for enrolled Alabama children through the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama preferred provider network. Benefits include physician visits, hospital stays, emergency services, prescription drugs, mental health and substance abuse treatment, dental care, vision services, lab tests, X-rays, and immunizations. Preventive services (well-child checkups, immunizations, developmental screenings) are free at all income tiers with no copayment. The federal EPSDT (Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment) benefit applies to all children under 21 enrolled in Medicaid, and CHIP plans must provide equivalent coverage.

Cost-sharing for ALL Kids Low Fee and Fee tier enrollees is minimal. In 2026, copayments for the Low Fee tier include $3 for doctor visits, $1 for generic drugs, $6 for emergency room visits not resulting in admission, and $200 for hospital admissions. Fee tier copayments are $13 for doctor visits, $5 for generic drugs, $60 for ER visits, and $200 for hospital admissions. Federal law caps total annual out-of-pocket spending (premiums plus copayments combined) at 5% of the household's annual income. Preventive care has no copayment at any tier.

What is the income limit for ALL Kids in Alabama for a family of 4 in 2026?

A family of four can have monthly gross income up to $8,718 ($104,616 per year) and still qualify for ALL Kids in Alabama in 2026. At that income level, the child falls in the Fee tier with an annual premium of $104 per child (capped at $312 per family). Below $4,015 per month ($48,180/year), the child qualifies for Medicaid at no cost. Between $4,016 and $4,290 per month, the child qualifies for the Low Fee tier at $52 per child per year.

What counts as income for ALL Kids eligibility in Alabama?

ALL Kids uses MAGI (Modified Adjusted Gross Income) rules. Counted income includes wages, salaries, tips, self-employment income, gross Social Security benefits, unemployment compensation, alimony received, and most other taxable income. Excluded from MAGI: child support received, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), veterans' disability benefits, and workers' compensation. Use monthly gross income (before taxes and deductions) when comparing against the ALL Kids guidelines table.

What documents do I need to apply for ALL Kids in Alabama?

You need: the child's birth certificate, U.S. passport, or state ID; Social Security numbers for all household members; proof of Alabama residency (utility bill, lease, or school record); recent income proof (last two pay stubs, W-2, or federal tax return); and proof the child is uninsured. If the child is a non-citizen, bring immigration documents. Alabama allows 90 days to provide citizenship proof if electronic verification fails.

What happens if my ALL Kids application in Alabama is denied?

You have the right to request a fair hearing. The denial notice will state the reason and the appeal deadline, typically 30 to 90 days from the denial date. Submit a written appeal to the Alabama Department of Public Health or call 1-888-373-5437. If the Medicaid portion was also denied, contact the Alabama Medicaid Agency at 1-800-362-1504. Families above the ALL Kids income limit (312% FPL) may qualify for ACA Marketplace plans with Premium Tax Credits at healthcare.gov.

Can my child get ALL Kids in Alabama if I work?

Yes. ALL Kids is not limited to unemployed families. Income from employment counts toward the household income total, but the program covers children in working families as long as the household income stays at or below 312% FPL ($8,718 per month for a family of four in 2026). The key restriction is that the child must be uninsured: if your employer offers affordable coverage for the child (below the 5% of household income threshold), the child may not qualify for ALL Kids.

Is Alabama a Medicaid expansion state?

No. Alabama is one of 10 states that have not expanded Medicaid under the ACA. The other non-expansion states are Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Alabama's non-expansion status means most non-disabled adults do not qualify for Medicaid based on income alone. However, this does not affect children: Alabama children still qualify for Medicaid below the Medicaid income ceiling or for ALL Kids up to 312% FPL.

How long does it take to get ALL Kids in Alabama?

Alabama has up to 45 days to process a standard ALL Kids application after receiving a complete application. Online applications are typically faster. Once approved, the child's Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama card arrives by mail. Renewals are required annually, but since January 1, 2024, all states must provide 12 months of continuous eligibility, so coverage holds for a full year even if family income rises after enrollment.

What is the difference between ALL Kids and Alabama Medicaid for children?

Both programs cover children under 19 in Alabama, but they serve different income bands. Alabama Medicaid covers children in lower-income families (below roughly $4,015 per month for a household of four in 2026) at zero cost with no premiums or copayments. ALL Kids covers children whose family income is above the Medicaid ceiling but at or below 312% FPL, with modest annual premiums ($52 or $104 per child) and small copayments for non-preventive services. The joint application automatically routes children to the right program.