California does not run a separate CHIP card for most families. Medi-Cal, the state's Medicaid program, delivers California's Children's Health Insurance Program, so a child under 19 whose household income is at or below 266% of the Federal Poverty Level in 2026 can enroll in Medi-Cal for kids at no monthly cost. KFF's January 2026 state table lists 266% as California's upper income limit for children, and the 2026 Federal Poverty Level for a family of 4 is $33,000, which puts the 2026 ceiling for that family at $87,780.
Medi-Cal measures eligibility with Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI), family size, and household composition, not with assets. This page gives the 2026 Medi-Cal income limits for every household size, the steps to apply, the documents to gather, the reasons applications are denied, and how to appeal. Parents have separate Medi-Cal rules: California is a Medicaid expansion state, with a 138% FPL limit for adults in 2026, so many parents qualify under their own limit as well.
Quick answer: does my child qualify for Medi-Cal CHIP in California in 2026?
Yes, if your child is under 19 and your household MAGI is at or below 266% of the Federal Poverty Level in 2026 ($87,780 for a family of 4). Medi-Cal delivers California's CHIP coverage with no asset test, and DHCS has set children's monthly premiums at $0 in 2026. Children 18 and younger can qualify in 2026 regardless of immigration status.
Medi-Cal CHIP income limits by household size in California (2026)
Medi-Cal sets the 2026 ceiling for children under 19 at 266% of the Federal Poverty Level, a figure that includes the 5 percentage point MAGI disregard. For a household of 1 the 2026 limit is $42,454 a year, for a family of 3 it is $72,671, and for a family of 4 it is $87,780. Each additional person raises the 2026 Medi-Cal limit by $15,109. The table below lists all household sizes from 1 to 8 for California.
Medi-Cal compares your household's MAGI to the limit for your family size, and the child's own age matters little once income is under 266% FPL in 2026. KFF's January 2026 table shows California's Medicaid-funded children's ranges: up to 208% FPL for infants, 142% FPL for ages 1 to 5, and 133% FPL for ages 6 to 18, with CHIP-funded Medi-Cal covering the rest of the range up to 266% FPL. Families see one Medi-Cal application and one Medi-Cal card either way.
How Medi-Cal CHIP works for children in California: premiums, age, and immigration status
Medi-Cal covers California children from birth through age 18, and children qualify through age 18. The Optional Targeted Low-Income Children's Program, California's CHIP-funded Medi-Cal group, once charged $13 per child per month (up to $39 per family) in 2021 for incomes between 160% and 266% FPL. DHCS reduced those Medi-Cal premiums to $0 effective July 1, 2022, and the monthly premium for children remains $0 in 2026 according to DHCS guidance. Confirm the current amount with your county, because DHCS can reinstate premiums through the state budget.
California residents who are children 18 and younger are not affected by the January 1, 2026 rule that limits new undocumented adults 19 and older to restricted-scope Medi-Cal (DHCS ACWDL 25-33). Since October 1, 2026, federal Medicaid and CHIP matching funds are limited to citizens, green card holders, and a few other groups under Public Law 119-21. California may cover other children through the CHIPRA 214 option or with its own money, which makes that coverage a state-funded program rather than federal Medicaid. Ask your county which category applies to your child.
What counts as income for Medi-Cal CHIP in California (MAGI and household composition)
Medi-Cal counts Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI), which starts with taxable income on your federal tax return and adds back items such as untaxed Social Security benefits and tax-exempt interest. Wages, tips, net self-employment income, unemployment benefits, and taxable retirement income count toward the 2026 California limit. Child support received, gifts, and Supplemental Security Income generally do not count. No asset test applies to children's Medi-Cal in 2026, so savings, a car, or a home do not affect eligibility.
Household composition decides which family size you use in the Medi-Cal table. Medi-Cal builds the household from the tax filer's return: the parent or caretaker, a spouse, and the children claimed as dependents. A child not claimed by anyone is counted with the parents living with the child. Family size also increases if a pregnant parent counts the expected babies. A grandparent or other relative raising a child may be assessed on the child's income alone, so ask the county for a child-only application.
How to apply for Medi-Cal CHIP for your child in California
Medi-Cal accepts applications year-round, with no open enrollment window. The fastest route is BenefitsCal.com, which is open 24 hours a day, and you can also apply at Covered California (coveredca.com), by phone at 1-800-541-5555, or at your county social services office. Coverage generally starts on the first day of the month you apply. Counties normally decide within 45 days and mail a Benefits Identification Card (BIC).
- Step 1: Gather proof of identity, California residency, and household income.
- Step 2: List every person in the household and who files taxes together.
- Step 3: Apply at BenefitsCal.com, coveredca.com, by phone, or at the county office.
- Step 4: Answer any county request for missing information by the due date on the notice.
- Step 5: Choose a Medi-Cal health plan if your county requires one, then use the BIC card.
Documents needed to apply for Medi-Cal CHIP in California
Medi-Cal asks for few documents because the state verifies much of an application electronically with tax and wage data. Gather the items below before applying so the county does not need to send a request for more information. A Social Security number is not required for a child who does not have one, and the application does not need a parent's immigration papers when the parent is not applying.
- Child's Social Security number, if the child has one
- Parent or caretaker identification (driver's license, state ID, or passport)
- Proof of California residency (utility bill, lease, or school record)
- Recent pay stubs, employer letter, or the latest federal tax return for all household income
- Birth certificate or other proof of the child's age
- Immigration documents for any applicant who has them, if applicable
- Household composition details: who lives together and who files taxes together
Is California a Medicaid expansion state? What it means for children and parents in 2026
California is a Medicaid expansion state, so Medi-Cal covers adults ages 19 to 64 up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level in 2026 ($22,025 for a household of 1). California has no ACA gap, the problem that affects adults under 100% FPL in 2026 in the 10 non-expansion states (AL, FL, GA, KS, MS, SC, TN, TX, WI, WY). A parent above 138% FPL in 2026 can still buy a Covered California plan with premium tax credits, while the child stays on Medi-Cal up to 266% FPL.
Federal law adds a work requirement for expansion adults 19 to 64, starting as early as January 2027 depending on the state, but the requirement applies to adults only and not to children. Parents or caretakers of a child 13 or younger are among the exempt groups. A child's Medi-Cal eligibility does not depend on whether a parent works, and children under 19 are not subject to 6-month renewals that begin for expansion adults on or after January 1, 2027.
Common reasons Medi-Cal CHIP applications get denied in California
Medi-Cal denials for children usually come from a short list of problems that families can fix. The most common reason is MAGI above the 266% FPL limit for your family size in 2026. Others are paperwork the county asked for and never received, an unverified California address, a household that was counted with the wrong family size, or an immigration category that cannot receive federally matched coverage. Responding to every county notice by its due date prevents most denials.
- MAGI above 266% FPL for the household size in 2026
- Missing or late verification documents
- California residency not verified
- Wrong household composition or family size on the application
- Child is 19 or older
How to appeal a Medi-Cal CHIP denial in California
California gives you generally 90 days from the date of the denial notice to request a state hearing with the California Department of Social Services (CDSS). Request a hearing online through the CDSS portal, by calling the State Hearings Division at (800) 743-8525, or by returning the hearing form on the back of your Notice of Action. Mail requests go to the county or to CDSS at P.O. Box 944243, Mail Station 9-17-442, Sacramento, CA 94244-2430. If your child needs care urgently, ask for an expedited hearing.
Covered California is the next option if your income is above the Medi-Cal CHIP limit. A family over 266% FPL in 2026 can shop for a Covered California plan for its children, and the 2026 premium tax credit is capped at 400% FPL because the enhanced credits expired on December 31, 2025. Open enrollment for 2027 coverage begins November 1, 2026. Some California counties also run Children's Health Initiative programs for children above 266% FPL in 2026, so ask your county about them.
Medi-Cal CHIP context: what it covers and who runs it in California
Medi-Cal is administered by the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), while county social services offices process applications and renewals. California's CHIP, created under the federal Children's Health Insurance Program of 1997, is built into Medi-Cal as CHIP-funded Medi-Cal, which is why KFF's January 2026 table shows no separate CHIP program. Children on Medi-Cal receive checkups, vaccines, dental, vision, mental health care, prescriptions, and hospital care, and federal rules require 12 months of continuous eligibility for children under 19 between renewals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Medi-Cal CHIP income limit for a family of 4 in California in 2026?
The 2026 Medi-Cal CHIP limit for a family of 4 in California is $87,780 a year, or about $7,315 a month. That is 266% of the 2026 Federal Poverty Level of $33,000 for four people. Children under 19 in a household at or below that MAGI qualify for Medi-Cal. A family of 3 has a 2026 limit of $72,671, and each additional person adds $15,109.
What counts as income for Medi-Cal CHIP (MAGI)?
Medi-Cal counts Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI): wages, tips, self-employment profit, unemployment, taxable retirement income, and untaxed Social Security benefits. Child support received, gifts, and Supplemental Security Income generally do not count. Medi-Cal compares your 2026 MAGI to the 266% FPL limit for your family size. No asset test applies to children's Medi-Cal in 2026.
What documents do I need to apply for Medi-Cal for my child?
Medi-Cal usually needs identification for the parent or caretaker, proof of California residency, proof of household income, and the child's Social Security number if the child has one. Birth certificates and immigration documents help when they apply. California verifies much of an application electronically, so extra paperwork is requested only when data does not match.
What happens if my child is denied Medi-Cal CHIP?
You generally have 90 days from the denial notice to request a state hearing with CDSS, online or at (800) 743-8525. Ask for an expedited hearing if your child needs urgent care. You can also reapply at any time if your 2026 income or household changes. Families above 266% FPL in 2026 can shop for children's plans at Covered California.
Can I work and still get Medi-Cal for my child?
Yes. Medi-Cal for children does not depend on a parent being unemployed, only on household MAGI at or below 266% FPL in 2026 for your family size. The federal work requirement for expansion adults, starting as early as January 2027 depending on the state, applies to adults 19 to 64 and not to children. Parents of a child 13 or younger are exempt.
Is California a Medicaid expansion state?
Yes. California expanded Medicaid, so Medi-Cal covers adults up to 138% FPL in 2026 ($22,025 for one person). California therefore has no ACA gap for low-income adults. Children are covered at a much higher limit, 266% FPL in 2026, which is why a family can have a parent on Covered California and a child on Medi-Cal.
How long does the Medi-Cal CHIP application take?
Counties normally decide a Medi-Cal application within 45 days, and coverage generally starts the first day of the month you applied. Applying online at BenefitsCal.com is usually fastest, and answering county requests quickly avoids delays. Medi-Cal accepts applications year-round in 2026 with no enrollment window.
Do immigrant children qualify for Medi-Cal in California in 2026?
Children 18 and younger are not affected by California's January 1, 2026 limit on new undocumented adults 19 and older, per DHCS. Federal Medicaid and CHIP matching funds narrowed on October 1, 2026, and coverage that California pays with only state money is a state-funded program. Ask your county which category applies to your child.
