Covered California, the state-run health insurance marketplace for California residents, sets 2027 financial help by income as a percentage of the federal poverty level (FPL). For 2027 coverage, Covered California measures income against the 2026 poverty guidelines, so the premium tax credit window runs from $15,960 to $63,840 for a single adult and from $33,000 to $132,000 for a family of four. Californians under 65 who earn more than 138% FPL ($22,025 for one person in 2026) and are not on Medicare usually buy here with help.
The chart below lists every Covered California income line for 2027 coverage by household size, then explains the state subsidy that now reaches 200% FPL, the open enrollment dates (November 1, 2026 to January 31, 2027), and what to do if your income falls above or below the range. Figures come from Covered California's October 2026 program eligibility chart, the 2027 state premium subsidy program design, and HealthCare.gov. For plan prices, see the CoveredUSA guide to California ACA marketplace plans.
Coverage Breakdown
Direct answer: Covered California income limits for 2027 coverage
It depends on household size. For 2027 coverage, Covered California premium help covers incomes from 100% to 400% of the federal poverty level: $15,960 to $63,840 for one person and $33,000 to $132,000 for a family of four. California's 2027 state subsidy reaches 200% FPL ($31,920 for one person). Open enrollment runs November 1, 2026 to January 31, 2027; enroll by December 31, 2026 for January 1 coverage.
Covered California subsidy chart by income band (2027 coverage)
Covered California ties every 2027 benefit to your household income as a share of the federal poverty level, and the income table above gives the dollar line for each share. A single adult earning $23,940 in annual income sits at 150% FPL, the top of Enhanced Silver 94 (the cost-sharing reduction plan with the lowest deductibles). At $31,920 (200% FPL) the state subsidy and Enhanced Silver 87 stop, and at $39,900 (250% FPL) Enhanced Silver 73 stops, all for 2027 coverage.
California's state premium subsidy grows for 2027. Funding rises from $190 million in 2026 to $300 million in 2027, and eligibility now reaches 200% FPL ($31,920 for one person or $66,000 for a family of four in 2027). Covered California projects that more than 500,000 enrollees will receive state help in 2027, that about 200,000 people become newly eligible compared with 2026, and that nearly 200,000 can choose from two Silver plans with a $0 monthly premium.
Covered California open enrollment 2027: dates and deadlines
Covered California open enrollment for 2027 coverage runs from November 1, 2026 to January 31, 2027, according to Covered California's October 30, 2026 announcement and its open enrollment page. Choose a plan by December 31, 2026 for coverage that starts January 1, 2027. A plan chosen in January 2027 starts February 1, 2027. Current members can renew or switch plans starting October 1, 2026, and anyone who does nothing may be moved into a renewal plan, so review the 2027 price before the year ends.
California residents use Covered California's dates, not the HealthCare.gov dates. HealthCare.gov, which serves states without their own exchange, lists November 1 to January 15 with a December 15 deadline for January 1 coverage for 2027 coverage, and the December 15 rule is tied up in federal court litigation. None of that changes the Covered California calendar. Outside open enrollment, a qualifying life event such as losing job-based coverage opens a special enrollment period.
California income limits for 2026 coverage compared with 2027
California residents who search for the 2026 income limits are looking at a different table. Coverage in 2026 uses the 2025 poverty guidelines: the federal premium tax credit runs from $15,650 to $62,600 for one person and from $32,150 to $128,600 for a family of four for 2026 coverage. The enhanced federal credits expired on December 31, 2025 and were not extended, so the 400% FPL cutoff is back for both 2026 and 2027 coverage. A single adult at $65,000 earns too much for a federal credit in either year.
Federal rules also tighten for tax year 2026 and 2027 coverage. From tax year 2026 there is no cap on repaying excess advance premium tax credits, at any income, so report income changes to Covered California during the year. For 2027 coverage, the premium tax credit is limited to citizens, green card holders, Cuban and Haitian entrants, and citizens of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau. Refugees, asylees, TPS holders, parolees and visa holders can still buy a plan at full price, and DACA recipients cannot buy through Covered California.
California Medi-Cal versus Covered California below 138% FPL
California adults with income up to 138% FPL ($22,025 for one person and $45,540 for a family of four, using the 2026 guidelines) usually qualify for Medi-Cal, which has no premium and no open enrollment window. Medi-Cal uses the current-year poverty guidelines, while Covered California uses the prior-year guidelines. Medi-Cal for children covers up to 266% FPL and for pregnant people up to 213% FPL, so children in a Covered California household may qualify for Medi-Cal even when the parents do not.
California Medi-Cal rules shifted in 2026. Since January 1, 2026, new undocumented applicants age 19 and older get restricted-scope Medi-Cal only, and children 18 and younger and pregnant people are not affected. Federal law also requires expansion adults ages 19 to 64 to show work, school, training or volunteering (80 hours a month) as a condition of Medi-Cal eligibility starting as early as January 2027, depending on the state's approach, and expansion adults will renew every 6 months when the renewal date falls on or after January 1, 2027. Check the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) for California's exact start date.
How California applicants qualify for Covered California help
California applicants qualify for Covered California financial help by meeting four tests: live in California, have an eligible citizenship or immigration status for the coverage year, have household income in the 100% to 400% FPL window for 2027 coverage, and not be eligible for Medicare or an affordable employer offer. The audience for this page is adults under 65. Anyone who is eligible for Original Medicare, with Medicare Part A and Part B, is no longer eligible for premium tax credits, and Medicare Advantage, Medigap and Part D plans are sold outside Covered California.
California applicants count MAGI (modified adjusted gross income): wages, self-employment income, unemployment benefits, and all Social Security benefits, including the untaxed part. Household size follows your tax filing family, and household composition changes such as a birth or marriage should be reported. Covered California plans are ACA-compliant, cover essential health benefits, and cannot turn you down or charge more for a preexisting condition. Employer coverage is affordable for 2027 plan years if the employee cost is under 10.22% of household income.
Alternatives if your California income is over 400% FPL or you do not qualify
California residents above the 2027 coverage limit ($63,840 for one person or $132,000 for a family of four) have four practical alternatives. Each one is worth pricing before the January 31, 2027 end of open enrollment.
- Lower your counted income: pre-tax retirement contributions and health savings account deposits reduce MAGI, which can bring a household back under the 400% FPL line for 2027 coverage (confirm with a tax preparer).
- Buy a Covered California plan at full price: ACA-compliant plans are open to everyone in open enrollment, with no denial for a preexisting condition, even without a tax credit.
- Check employer coverage: a job-based plan that costs the employee under 10.22% of household income is considered affordable for 2027 plan years, and the plan's open enrollment sets the dates.
- Apply for Medi-Cal if income is at or below 138% FPL ($22,025 for one person, 2026 guidelines) or if a child or pregnant household member qualifies; see Do I qualify for Medi-Cal in California.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Covered California income limit for one person in 2027?
For 2027 coverage, a single adult qualifies for the federal premium tax credit with income from $15,960 (100% FPL) up to $63,840 (400% FPL). The California state subsidy applies up to $31,920 (200% FPL). Adults at or below $22,025 (138% FPL, 2026 guidelines) usually qualify for Medi-Cal instead.
What is the Covered California income limit for a family of four in 2027?
For 2027 coverage, a family of four qualifies for the federal premium tax credit with income from $33,000 (100% FPL) to $132,000 (400% FPL). The state subsidy reaches $66,000 (200% FPL). Medi-Cal for adults covers up to $45,540 (138% FPL) using the 2026 guidelines.
When is Covered California open enrollment for 2027 coverage?
Covered California open enrollment runs from November 1, 2026 to January 31, 2027. Select a plan by December 31, 2026 for coverage that starts January 1, 2027. A plan selected in January 2027 starts February 1, 2027. After January 31, you need a special enrollment period or Medi-Cal.
Are the HealthCare.gov dates the same as Covered California's?
No. HealthCare.gov lists November 1 to January 15 for 2027 coverage, with a December 15 deadline for January 1 coverage, and that December 15 rule is in litigation. California runs its own exchange, so Covered California's dates, November 1, 2026 to January 31, 2027, apply to California residents.
What were the Covered California income limits for 2026?
For 2026 coverage, the federal premium tax credit ran from $15,650 to $62,600 for one person and from $32,150 to $128,600 for a family of four, based on the 2025 guidelines. The enhanced federal credits expired December 31, 2025, so the 400% FPL cutoff applies to 2026 and to 2027 coverage.
Can I get Covered California help if I earn over 400% FPL?
Not the federal premium tax credit for 2027 coverage: the cutoff is $63,840 for one person and $132,000 for a family of four. You can still buy a Covered California plan at full price, lower your counted MAGI with pre-tax contributions, or compare employer coverage.
What counts as income for Covered California?
Covered California uses modified adjusted gross income (MAGI): wages, self-employment income, unemployment, and all Social Security benefits, including the untaxed portion. Household size follows your tax family. Report changes during the year, because from tax year 2026 excess advance credits must be repaid in full.
Does Medicare count, and who is this page for?
This page is for California adults under 65. Anyone eligible for Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Part B) cannot get Covered California premium tax credits. Medicare Advantage, Medigap and Medicare Part D plans are sold outside Covered California through medicare.gov and licensed agents.
