South Carolina Medicaid limits by household size
SCDHHS states every Healthy Connections limit as a percentage of the federal poverty level, with the new amounts in effect from March 1, 2026; the table translates them into monthly income for one to six people.[1][5]
| Program and group | % FPL | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parent/Caretaker Relatives (formerly Low Income Families) Parent or caretaker of a child under 19 | 62% | $825 | $1,119 | $1,412 | $1,705 | $1,999 | $2,292 |
| Pregnant Women and Infants Pregnant | 194% | $2,581 | $3,499 | $4,417 | $5,335 | $6,254 | $7,172 |
| Partners for Healthy Children (Medicaid/CHIP) Child under 1 | 208% | $2,767 | $3,751 | $4,736 | $5,720 | $6,705 | $7,690 |
| Partners for Healthy Children (Medicaid/CHIP) Child 1–5 | 208% | $2,767 | $3,751 | $4,736 | $5,720 | $6,705 | $7,690 |
| Partners for Healthy Children (Medicaid/CHIP) Child 6–18 | 208% | $2,767 | $3,751 | $4,736 | $5,720 | $6,705 | $7,690 |
| Aged, Blind or Disabled (ABD) 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 |
SCDHHS prints its amounts to the cent ($1,411.53 for a parent in a family of three, for example), and the table rounds them up to whole dollars.[1] SCDHHS does not say whether the federal 5% MAGI disregard is added on top of 62%, 194% or 208%. Those three figures match the Medicaid.gov standards that leave the disregard out, so this page uses them exactly as published.[1][4]
Adults and parents without Medicaid expansion
South Carolina is one of the states that has not expanded Medicaid, so an adult 19 to 64 with no child at home, no disability and no pregnancy generally has no full Medicaid group to qualify for.[4] Parents and caretaker relatives (the group SCDHHS used to call Low Income Families) qualify at or below 62% of poverty:[1]
- 2 people: $1,118.06 a month
- 3 people: $1,411.53
- 4 people: $1,705.00
- 5 people: $1,998.46
- Each additional person: +$293.46
Family Planning coverage uses a higher line, 194% of poverty.[1] Medicaid.gov’s federal table, with data as of December 2023, also noted a section 1115 demonstration covering some additional low-income adults, with limits, an enrollment cap and not offered statewide.[4]
Pregnant women, infants and Partners for Healthy Children
Pregnant women qualify with income at or below 194% of poverty, $3,499 a month in a household of two, and the mother’s coverage continues for 12 months after the baby is born while the infant is covered up to age one.[1] For children under 19, Partners for Healthy Children uses a single limit of 208% of poverty for every age and includes both Medicaid and CHIP:[1]
- Family of 2: $3,750.93 a month
- Family of 3: $4,735.46
- Family of 4: $5,720.00
- Each additional person: +$984.53
A child does not lose coverage because a parent earns too much for the 62% parent group; the two tests are separate.
ABD Medicaid: 65 and older, blind or disabled
South Carolinians who are aged, blind or disabled qualify for ABD Medicaid at or below 100% of poverty, $1,330 a month for one person or $1,804 for two, with resources up to $9,950 or $14,910 (effective January 1, 2026).[1] SCDHHS lists several related programs:[1]
- QMB: same 100% limit and resources; SLMB 120% and QI 135%
- Working Disabled: under 250% of poverty
- Nursing facility and home and community-based services: up to 300% of the SSI benefit rate, $2,982
- Optional State Supplementation: net income up to $1,804, resources up to $2,000
- TEFRA (Katie Beckett) children: the child’s income under $2,982, resources up to $2,000
How to apply for Healthy Connections Medicaid
You can apply online at apply.scdhhs.gov, and the SCDHHS Member Help Center at (888) 549-0820 answers questions.[2][1] Parents, pregnant women and children are tested on modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) for the household; the ABD programs have their own income and resource tests.[4][1] Enter income before taxes in the checker.
South Carolina Medicaid in 2026–27
In 2026 South Carolina made only the yearly updates: the poverty-based limits changed on March 1, 2026, and the ABD resource limits on January 1, 2026.[1] SCDHHS’s waiver page lists its Community Engagement waiver among inactive waivers.[3] The federal changes land unevenly here:
- Work rule and 6-month renewals from January 1, 2027 are written for the Medicaid expansion group and equivalent waiver adults (80 hours a month or $580 in earnings).[6][7] South Carolina has no expansion group, so they do not change the parent, child, pregnancy or ABD limits above.
- Immigrant eligibility narrows for every group from October 1, 2026: federal Medicaid and CHIP funding is limited to citizens, green-card holders, Cuban and Haitian entrants and COFA migrants, with narrow exceptions.[8]
We are not SCDHHS or Healthy Connections. This independent page converts the published limits into dollars; only SCDHHS can approve or deny coverage.
Compare South Carolina’s rules with Virginia Medicaid income limits, Idaho Medicaid income limits and North Carolina Medicaid income limits. For grocery help, the food stamps income limit tables cover every state, and the SNAP calculator estimates a benefit.
Frequently asked questions
What is the income limit for Medicaid in SC for a single person?
A single adult under 65 who is not pregnant or disabled usually cannot qualify, because South Carolina has not expanded Medicaid. If you are 65+, blind or disabled, ABD Medicaid allows up to $1,330 a month and $9,950 in resources.
What is the Medicaid income limit for a family of 4 in South Carolina?
$1,705.00 a month for the parents (62%), $5,720.00 for the children under 19 (208%) and $5,335.00 for a pregnant woman in a household of four (194%).
Does South Carolina have Medicaid expansion?
No. Adults qualify only through specific groups: parents and caretakers up to 62% of poverty, pregnancy, disability or age 65+. Federal data as of December 2023 also note a limited section 1115 program for some low-income adults.
What is the asset limit for Medicaid in South Carolina?
For ABD Medicaid and QMB, $9,950 for one person or $14,910 for two (from January 1, 2026). Optional State Supplementation and TEFRA children have a $2,000 limit.
Sources
- Program eligibility and income limits (Healthy Connections Medicaid)
- Healthy Connections Medicaid home page (apply, Member Help Center)
- Waivers (active and inactive)
- Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program and Basic Health Program Eligibility Levels (MAGI groups by state)
- 2026 Poverty Guidelines for the 48 contiguous states, Alaska and Hawaii
- 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)
- State Health Official Letter SHO #26-001: Medicaid and CHIP eligibility of certain immigrants (P.L. 119-21 § 71109)