Medicaid income limits, KY: what Kentucky allows in 2026

Kentucky Medicaid limits by household size

Kentucky writes its Medicaid limits into regulation as percentages of the federal poverty level, so the monthly dollar amounts below are worked out from the 2026 HHS guidelines ($15,960 for one person, plus $5,680 for each additional person).^[1][7]

Two things to keep in mind. First, no 2026 dollar chart from CHFS or kynect is cited here, so these are conversions, not state-printed amounts. Second, the children’s row comes from Medicaid.gov’s federal table, whose data are as of December 1, 2023; it is marked “not re-verified for 2026” in the table and in the checker.^[6]

Expansion adults and caretaker relatives

Kentucky expanded Medicaid, and adults under 65 qualify with income up to 133% of the poverty level, to which the state adds a cushion of 5% of poverty.^[1] CHFS sums it up as coverage for most people “up to 133% of the federal poverty level with 5% disregard.”^[2] The same 133% standard applies to caretaker relatives raising a child.^[1] In dollars, at 138%:

• 1 person: $1,836 a month
• 2 people: $2,489
• 3 people: $3,142
• 4 people: $3,795

There is no resource test for these groups: CHFS says resources apply only to the aged, blind or disabled population.^[2]

Pregnancy and children’s coverage in Kentucky

A pregnant woman qualifies with income up to 195% of poverty plus the 5% cushion, so 200%, and the coverage runs through 365 days after delivery.^[1] A pregnant woman’s household is always at least two, which puts her limit at $3,607 a month, or $4,554 if she already has one child.^[1]

For children, the most recent federal figure is 213% of poverty (218% with the disregard) for every age from birth to 18, $4,964 a month for a family of three; Medicaid.gov shows no separate CHIP program in Kentucky and lists CHIP coverage in pregnancy up to 213%.^[6] That baseline dates from December 2023. The state regulation also refers to “a targeted low income child” with income up to 150 percent of poverty.^[1] Confirm children’s limits on kynect before relying on the dollar figures here.

Aged, blind and disabled Medicaid

Kentuckians who are 65 or older, blind or disabled are judged under non-MAGI rules that do include a resource test, and their dollar limits are not part of this checker.^[2] People whose income is over those limits can still look at Kentucky’s spenddown program.^[2] Ask DCBS or kynect for the current amounts before applying.

How Kentucky counts income

For adults, parents, pregnant women and children, Kentucky applies the modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) standards set out in 907 KAR 20:100.^[1][6] The 5% cushion is applied on top of the percentage standard, which is why the checker uses 138% for adults rather than 133%. Enter gross monthly income before taxes; the agency makes the final calculation.

How to apply through kynect

You can apply online through the kynect Self Service Portal, by phone at (855) 459-6328 (TTY (855) 326-4654), or through the Department for Community Based Services at (855) 306-8959.^[2][3]

Kentucky Medicaid changes for 2026–27

The change Kentucky members will feel most is Medicaid Community Engagement, which starts on January 1, 2027 for expansion adults 19 to 64 who are covered based only on income.^[4] Kentucky began mailing notices to current members on July 1, 2026, and sends more starting 120 days before each member’s 2027 renewal.^[5]

• What counts. Under the federal rule, 80 hours a month of work, community service, a work program or half-time school, or monthly earnings of at least $580.^[8]
• Who is exempt. Among others: pregnant and postpartum women, parents or caretakers of a child 13 or under, people who are medically frail, and veterans with a total disability rating.^[8]
• Renewals every 6 months for expansion adults, starting with renewals due on or after January 1, 2027.^[9]
• Immigrant eligibility. From October 1, 2026, federal Medicaid funding covers only citizens, green-card holders, Cuban and Haitian entrants and COFA migrants, with limited exceptions.^[10]

• kynect (apply, renew, report changes) (855) 459-6328, TTY (855) 326-4654
• CHFS: how to apply for Medicaid DCBS (855) 306-8959
• 907 KAR 20:100 (MAGI income standards) Kentucky Administrative Regulations

For grocery help, see Kentucky food stamps, which uses a different income test. You can also compare Kentucky with New York Medicaid income limits, Indiana Medicaid income limits and Ohio Medicaid income limits, look up the food stamps income limit nationwide, or try the SNAP calculator.