Medicaid income limits: California’s 2026 chart by household size
Medi-Cal limits are percentages of the federal poverty guidelines, and the 2026 figures apply from January 1, 2026 for MAGI Medi-Cal and from April 1, 2026 for the aged and disabled programs.[1][2] California publishes its percentages with the 5% disregard already counted (138% for adults rather than 133%), so this table uses the same percentages as the county charts:[3]
| Program and group | % FPL | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medi-Cal (ACA New Adult Group) Adult 19–64; incl. 5% disregard | 138% | $1,836 | $2,489 | $3,142 | $3,795 | $4,449 | $5,102 |
| Medi-Cal (ACA Parents/Caretaker Relatives) Parent or caretaker of a child under 19; incl. 5% disregard | 114% | $1,517 | $2,056 | $2,596 | $3,135 | $3,675 | $4,215 |
| Medi-Cal (ACA New Adult Group) Parent or caretaker of a child under 19; incl. 5% disregard | 138% | $1,836 | $2,489 | $3,142 | $3,795 | $4,449 | $5,102 |
| Medi-Cal (pregnancy-related) Pregnant; incl. 5% disregard | 213% | $2,833 | $3,842 | $4,850 | $5,858 | $6,866 | $7,874 |
| Medi-Cal Access Program (MCAP) Pregnant; incl. 5% disregard | 322% | $4,283 | $5,807 | $7,331 | $8,855 | $10,380 | $11,904 |
| Medi-Cal for children Child under 1; incl. 5% disregard | 266% | $3,538 | $4,797 | $6,056 | $7,315 | $8,575 | $9,834 |
| C-CHIP (county program, 3 counties) / MCAP-linked infants Child under 1; San Francisco, Santa Clara and San Mateo counties only | 322% | $4,283 | $5,807 | $7,331 | $8,855 | $10,380 | $11,904 |
| Medi-Cal for children Child 1–5; incl. 5% disregard | 266% | $3,538 | $4,797 | $6,056 | $7,315 | $8,575 | $9,834 |
| C-CHIP (county program, 3 counties) / MCAP-linked infants Child 1–5; San Francisco, Santa Clara and San Mateo counties only | 322% | $4,283 | $5,807 | $7,331 | $8,855 | $10,380 | $11,904 |
| Medi-Cal for children Child 6–18; incl. 5% disregard | 266% | $3,538 | $4,797 | $6,056 | $7,315 | $8,575 | $9,834 |
| C-CHIP (county program, 3 counties) / MCAP-linked infants Child 6–18; San Francisco, Santa Clara and San Mateo counties only | 322% | $4,283 | $5,807 | $7,331 | $8,855 | $10,380 | $11,904 |
| Aged & Disabled FPL Program (non-MAGI) 65 or older, blind or disabled; single / couple, non-MAGI rules, asset test applies | fixed $ | $1,836 | $2,490 | $2,490 | $2,490 | $2,490 | $2,490 |
The Santa Clara County chart, published by a county agency that decides Medi-Cal cases, prints a few amounts a dollar higher, such as $2,490 for two adults where 138% of the 2026 guideline works out to $2,489.[3] Those small gaps come from rounding. If your income sits that close to a line, apply and let the county make the call.
Adults and parents: Medi-Cal covers adults up to 138%
California expanded Medi-Cal, so an adult aged 19 to 64 can qualify in the ACA new adult group on income alone, up to 138% of poverty: $1,836 a month living alone and $2,489 for a couple.[3] Parents and caretaker relatives also have a separate 114% line (109% plus the 5% disregard), which the county chart shows for parents who have Medicare. Parents above that line qualify in the adult group up to 138%.[3]
Take two parents with two children and $3,500 a month. They are over the parent line of $3,135 for four people but under the adult line of $3,795, so the checker above finds a match in the adult group.
Children and pregnancy: Medi-Cal, MCAP and C-CHIP
Children under 19 qualify for Medi-Cal with family income up to 266% of poverty, which is $6,056 a month for a family of three and $7,315 for four.[3] Medi-Cal monthly premiums were cut to $0 on July 1, 2022.[4] Pregnant people qualify regardless of immigration status, and the 2026 enrollment freeze described below does not apply to children or to anyone who is pregnant.[5][4]
Pregnancy coverage comes in three steps:[3]
- Up to 138%: full-scope Medi-Cal ($2,489 a month for a household of two).
- Above 138% to 213%: pregnancy-related Medi-Cal (up to $3,842 for two).
- Above 213% to 322%: the Medi-Cal Access Program, MCAP (up to $5,807 for two).
Above 266%, children in San Francisco, Santa Clara and San Mateo counties can join the County Children’s Health Initiative Program (C-CHIP) up to 322%; the program is not available in other counties.[3] Statewide, Medicaid.gov lists a separate CHIP group for certain children up to age 2 at up to 317% of poverty, which is 322% with the disregard.[6]
Seniors and people with disabilities: 138% and a new asset test
Californians who are 65 or older or disabled can qualify through the Aged & Disabled FPL Program with countable income up to 138% of poverty, $1,836 a month for one person and $2,490 for a couple, but income is counted under non-MAGI rules, not MAGI.[3] Since January 1, 2026, most non-MAGI Medi-Cal has an asset limit again: $130,000 for one person plus $65,000 for each additional person, up to 10 people.[7][5]
- Who it covers: seniors, people with disabilities, long-term care and the Medicare Savings Programs.[5]
- Current members: checked against the limit at their next renewal.[5]
- Not yet affected: the Pickle, DAC and DW programs stay exempt until DHCS issues further guidance.[7]
- Law: AB 116 (Chapter 21, Statutes of 2025).[7]
A separate 250% Working Disabled Program also exists for people with disabilities.[3]
How to apply for Medi-Cal
You can apply for Medi-Cal through the Department of Health Care Services (the State of California’s “Apply for Medi-Cal” page links to the online service) or through Covered California, which also decides MAGI Medi-Cal.[4][1] County social services agencies run Medi-Cal eligibility locally, and the county’s chart is the one used on this page.[3] For help by phone:[4]
- Medi-Cal Member Help Line: 1-800-541-5555
- Covered California: 1-855-312-3250 (TTY 1-800-889-4500)
Medi-Cal changes in 2026 and 2027
California’s 2025–26 budget changed Medi-Cal for several groups, and new federal rules add more from 2027:[5]
- January 1, 2026, enrollment freeze: adults 19 and older who are undocumented and not pregnant can no longer newly enroll in full-scope Medi-Cal. People already enrolled stay covered if they complete their annual renewal, and anyone cut off for a late renewal or missing paperwork has 90 days to fix it.[5][4]
- January 1, 2026, asset test: the $130,000 limit described above.[7]
- July 1, 2026, dental: full dental ended for adult members without satisfactory immigration status. Emergency dental is still covered, and pregnant and postpartum members keep full dental.[5]
- October 1, 2026, federal funding: federal Medicaid money is limited to citizens, green-card holders and a few other groups; states can still cover others with their own funds, as California does.[8]
- January 1, 2027, federal rules: adults in the expansion group must show 80 hours a month of work or similar activity, or $580 of monthly income, and renew every six months.[9][10]
- July 1, 2027, premium: adults aged 19 to 59 without satisfactory immigration status will pay $30 a month to keep full-scope Medi-Cal; if they do not pay, they move to restricted-scope Medi-Cal.[5]
None of these changes moves the income percentages in the table. What changed is who can newly enroll, which benefits some adults keep, and, for seniors and people with disabilities, whether savings count.
Official California links
- Apply for Medi-Cal (CA.gov)
- Medi-Cal (Department of Health Care Services)
- Medi-Cal Program Changes (2026–2027)
Compare Medi-Cal with Colorado Medicaid income limits, New York Medicaid income limits and Indiana Medicaid income limits, check the national food stamps income limit tables, or try the SNAP calculator on our home page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Medi-Cal income limit for one person in 2026?
For an adult aged 19 to 64, about $1,836 a month (138% of poverty); the county chart prints $1,836. Someone 65 or older or disabled has the same 138% line through the Aged & Disabled FPL Program, plus an asset limit of $130,000.
What are the Medicaid income limits California uses for a family of 4?
About $3,795 a month for adults and parents, $7,315 for children, $5,858 for pregnancy-related Medi-Cal and $8,855 for MCAP, all for a household of four in 2026.
Does Medi-Cal have an asset limit in 2026?
Yes, for most non-MAGI Medi-Cal since January 1, 2026: $130,000 for one person plus $65,000 for each additional person, up to 10. It affects seniors, people with disabilities, long-term care and the Medicare Savings Programs.
Can undocumented adults still enroll in Medi-Cal?
Not newly, if they are 19 or older and not pregnant: new full-scope enrollment for that group was frozen on January 1, 2026. People already enrolled stay covered if they renew, and children and pregnant people can still enroll.
Sources
- All County Welfare Directors Letter 26-01: 2026 Federal Poverty Levels
- 2026 Poverty Guidelines for the 48 contiguous states, Alaska and Hawaii
- Federal Poverty Level Programs Monthly Income Comparison Chart (2026 FPL)
- Apply for Medi-Cal (Department of Health Care Services)
- Medi-Cal Program Changes (2026–2027): What Medi-Cal Members Need to Know
- Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program and Basic Health Program Eligibility Levels (MAGI groups by state)
- All County Welfare Directors Letter 25-18: asset limits for non-MAGI Medi-Cal from January 1, 2026
- State Health Official Letter SHO #26-001: Medicaid and CHIP eligibility of certain immigrants (P.L. 119-21 § 71109)
- Medicaid Program; Community Engagement Requirement for Certain Individuals (CMS-2454-IFC), implementing P.L. 119-21 § 71119
- State Medicaid Director Letter SMD #26-001: eligibility redeterminations every 6 months for expansion adults (P.L. 119-21 § 71107)