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North Carolina · NC Medicaid

Medicaid income limits NC: 2026 amounts by household size

The Medicaid income limits NC has used since April 1, 2026 are $1,836 a month for one adult aged 19 to 64 and $3,795 for a family of four, 138% of poverty with the 5% disregard. Children 0 to 18 qualify up to $5,940 for four and pregnant women up to $5,528, under expansion coverage that began on December 1, 2023.

SNAP by State editorial teamUpdated 13 sources

Independent estimate tool, not a government website. We can’t take applications or see your case; apply through NC Medicaid (NCDHHS). Applying is free.

NC Medicaid · 2026 limits

North Carolina Medicaid income checker

Pick who needs coverage, the household size and monthly income before taxes. The checker converts each published limit to dollars for your household.

Example

North Carolina Medicaid check

Pregnant · household of 2 · 2026 poverty guidelines

Under the MPW (Medicaid for Pregnant Women) limit

189%of the federal poverty level ($3,400 of $1,803 a month at 100%)

  • MPW (Medicaid for Pregnant Women)$3,625/mo201% FPL · incl. 5% disregard

Estimate only. Medicaid counts income under MAGI rules and checks age, residency and immigration status; the state agency decides.

Limits as published by NC Medicaid (NCDHHS) and Medicaid.gov, as % of the 2026 HHS poverty guidelines, converted to monthly dollars. Includes the 5% income disregard where it applies. Estimate only.

NC Medicaid income limits by household size (April 2026)

From April 1, 2026, NC Medicaid covers adults 19 to 64 up to $1,836 a month for one person and $3,795 for four, with higher limits for children and pregnancy.[1][4] The Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) announced the new figures in Change Notice 03-26 on February 3, 2026, with an effective date of April 1.[3]

North Carolina Medicaid and CHIP monthly income limits by household size (2026 poverty guidelines)
Program and group% FPL123456
NC Medicaid Expansion (MXP-N)
Adult 19–64; incl. 5% disregard		138%$1,836$2,489$3,142$3,795$4,449$5,102
MAF-C/N (Family Medicaid, parents/caretakers)
Parent or caretaker of a child under 19; fixed dollar standard + 5% disregard		fixed $$500$659$780$881$985$1,085
NC Medicaid Expansion (MXP-N)
Parent or caretaker of a child under 19; incl. 5% disregard		138%$1,836$2,489$3,142$3,795$4,449$5,102
MPW (Medicaid for Pregnant Women)
Pregnant; incl. 5% disregard		201%$2,674$3,625$4,577$5,528$6,479$7,431
MIC-N / MIC-1 (infants)
Child under 1; incl. 5% disregard		216%$2,873$3,896$4,918$5,940$6,963$7,985
MIC-N / MIC-1 (ages 1-5)
Child 1–5; incl. 5% disregard		216%$2,873$3,896$4,918$5,940$6,963$7,985
MIC-N / MIC-1 (ages 6-18)
Child 6–18; incl. 5% disregard		216%$2,873$3,896$4,918$5,940$6,963$7,985
MAABD-N (aged, blind, disabled – categorically needy)
65 or older, blind or disabled; single / couple, non-MAGI rules, asset test applies		100%$1,330$1,804$1,804$1,804$1,804$1,804

The official chart, MA-3321, prints the expansion standard at 133% ($1,769 for one person, $3,658 for four) and lists the 5% disregard on a separate line: $66.50 for one person, $113.83 for three and $137.50 for four.[1] The table above adds the two together, which is how MAGI rules treat income just over the line.[10]

NC Medicaid’s consumer eligibility page shows the 138% amounts for most sizes ($1,835, $3,141 and $3,795 for one, three and four people) but $2,399 for a household of two, which is the 133% figure without the disregard. With the disregard, two people can have up to $2,489.[4][1]

Expansion since December 1, 2023, and the 90% trigger

North Carolina expanded Medicaid on December 1, 2023, after federal approval from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.[8] The expansion group (MXP) covers adults 19 to 64 with income up to 133% of poverty plus the disregard, and neither the MAGI groups nor MXP have a reserve (asset) limit.[1]

The state law that authorized expansion, Session Law 2023-7, includes a trigger: if the federal matching rate for the expansion group falls below 90%, coverage for that group “shall be discontinued as expeditiously as possible.”[9] None of the 2026 sources used here report that the trigger has been pulled, and NC Medicaid’s eligibility page, last modified September 17, 2026, still lists an adult limit of $1,835 for one person.[4]

Parents and caretakers also have a separate dollar standard (MAF-C/N) of $434 a month for one person, $667 for three and $744 for four; Medicaid.gov converts it to 36% of poverty.[1][10] With the 5% disregard the checker uses $500, $780 and $881. Parents 19 to 64 who earn more than that can still qualify through MXP, up to $3,142 for a family of three.[1]

Children, pregnancy and family planning

Every North Carolina child from birth to 18 qualifies for Medicaid up to 211% of poverty, which NC Medicaid’s page states as $2,807 a month for a family of one and $5,803 for four before the disregard.[4][1] Medicaid.gov lists no separate CHIP program for the state; instead, children are split into a lower band (MIC-N) and an upper band (MIC-1) that runs to 211%.[10][1]

NC Medicaid for Infants and Children (MIC): monthly limits before the 5% disregard, from April 1, 2026
Household sizeMIC-N under 1 (194%)MIC-N ages 1–5 (141%)MIC-N ages 6–18 (107%)MIC-1 top, all ages (211%)
1$2,581$1,876$1,424$2,807
2$3,499$2,543$1,930$3,806
3$4,417$3,211$2,437$4,804
4$5,335$3,878$2,943$5,803

Pregnant women qualify for Medicaid for Pregnant Women (MPW) up to 196% of poverty, 201% with the disregard.[1] The unborn child counts in the household, so NC Medicaid lists $3,535 a month for a pregnant woman with no other children, the two-person amount.[4] Family Planning Medicaid (MAF-D) covers family-planning services up to 195%: $2,594 a month for one person and $5,363 for four.[1]

Seniors and people with disabilities: MAABD and Medicare Savings

For people 65 or older, blind or disabled, the full-coverage limit (MAABD-N) is 100% of poverty, $1,330 a month for one person and $1,804 for a couple, with a reserve limit of $2,000 or $3,000.[2] SSI recipients are eligible automatically.[2]

NC non-MAGI income and reserve limits (MA-2252, effective April 1, 2026)
ProgramIncome, 1 personIncome, 2 peopleReserve, 1 / 2
MAABD-N (full Medicaid)$1,330$1,804$2,000 / $3,000
MQB-Q (Medicare Savings, 100%)$1,330$1,804$9,950 / $14,910
MQB-B (Medicare Savings, 120%)$1,596$2,164$9,950 / $14,910
MQB-E (Medicare Savings, 135%)$1,796$2,435$9,950 / $14,910
MWD (workers with disabilities, 200%)$2,660$3,607$4,000 / $6,000

North Carolina also has medically needy coverage with a deductible (MAF-M for families, MAABD-M for aged, blind and disabled people). Its amounts, $242 a month for one person and $317 for two, are protected income levels used to set the deductible, not eligibility caps.[2]

Applying through ePASS or your local DSS

NC Medicaid takes applications online through ePASS, where the program is called “Medical Assistance”, and also through HealthCare.gov.[5] To apply by phone, contact your local Department of Social Services (DSS); for questions, the NC Medicaid Contact Center is 1-888-245-0179 (TTY 711).[5][4]

NC’s January 1, 2027 work requirement and other changes

Starting January 1, 2027, most adults 19 to 64 on NC Medicaid must earn at least $580 a month or spend 80 hours a month working, going to school, training or volunteering to keep coverage.[6][12] Parents of children under 14, pregnant and postpartum members and people with disabilities are among those exempt.[6]

  • Renewal every 6 months. From January 1, 2027, expansion adults renew twice a year instead of once.[6]
  • Retroactive coverage. From January 1, 2027, back-coverage for old bills is 1 month for most adults 19 to 64 and 2 months for children, people 65 or older and people with disabilities; applications made by December 31, 2026 keep 3 months.[7]
  • Non-citizens. A narrower federal rule on which non-citizens qualify started October 1, 2026.[7][13]

The income limits themselves follow the poverty guideline, which for 2026 is $15,960 for one person plus $5,680 per additional member.[11] For food help, read North Carolina food stamps or the national food stamps income limit tables. Medicaid rules elsewhere: New York Medicaid income limits, Indiana Medicaid income limits and Ohio Medicaid income limits. The SNAP calculator estimates benefits in any state.

Frequently asked questions

What is the income limit for Medicaid in NC for one person?

$1,836 a month for an adult aged 19 to 64 from April 1, 2026. The state chart shows $1,769 plus a $66.50 disregard, and NC Medicaid’s own page lists $1,835.

When did North Carolina expand Medicaid, and could it end?

Expansion started December 1, 2023. Session Law 2023-7 ends coverage for the expansion group if the federal match for it falls below 90%.

What is the Medicaid income limit for a pregnant woman in NC?

196% of poverty, 201% with the disregard. The unborn child counts, so a pregnant woman with no other children is a household of two: $3,535 a month on NC Medicaid’s page, or $3,625 with the disregard.

Is there an asset limit for Medicaid in North Carolina?

Not for expansion adults, children, parents or pregnant women. The aged, blind and disabled group (MAABD-N) has a $2,000 limit for one person and $3,000 for two, and Medicare Savings programs allow $9,950 and $14,910.

Sources

  1. MA-3321: MAGI Medicaid and Medicaid Expansion Income Limits · NC Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Health Benefits, effective April 1, 2026 (revised April 1, 2026)
  2. MA-2252: Non-MAGI Medicaid Income and Reserve Limits · NC Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Health Benefits, effective April 1, 2026 (revised April 1, 2026)
  3. Change Notice 03-26, Family and Children’s Medicaid Manual: 2026 FPL income limits · NC Department of Health and Human Services, February 3, 2026
  4. Medicaid eligibility (income amounts by family size) · NC Medicaid, NC Department of Health and Human Services, page last modified September 17, 2026
  5. Apply for Medicaid · NC Medicaid, NC Department of Health and Human Services, accessed November 13, 2026
  6. Work and community engagement requirement · NC Medicaid, NC Department of Health and Human Services, accessed November 13, 2026
  7. Medicaid is changing (H.R. 1 and federal changes) · NC Medicaid, NC Department of Health and Human Services, accessed November 13, 2026
  8. North Carolina gets federal approval to launch Medicaid Expansion Dec. 1 (press release) · NC Department of Health and Human Services, October 13, 2023
  9. Session Law 2023-7 (G.S. 108A-54.3C, expansion trigger) · North Carolina General Assembly, 2023
  10. Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program and Basic Health Program Eligibility Levels (MAGI groups by state) · Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (Medicaid.gov), data as of December 1, 2023
  11. 2026 Poverty Guidelines for the 48 contiguous states, Alaska and Hawaii · U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, ASPE, January 2026
  12. Medicaid Program; Community Engagement Requirement for Certain Individuals (CMS-2454-IFC), implementing P.L. 119-21 § 71119 · Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (Federal Register, 91 FR 33348), June 3, 2026; effective July 31, 2026
  13. State Health Official Letter SHO #26-001: Medicaid and CHIP eligibility of certain immigrants (P.L. 119-21 § 71109) · Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, April 8, 2026