In most states, you can earn up to 138% of the federal poverty level (FPL) and still qualify for Medicaid in 2026, according to HealthCare.gov's guide to Medicaid expansion and income eligibility. That's the limit for adults in states that expanded Medicaid. The 10 states that haven't expanded set lower limits for adults. Children, pregnant people, and people with disabilities follow separate rules.
State income charts can be hard to read, and most of them assume you already know what the FPL is. The FPL is an income figure the federal government sets for each household size and updates every year. Your state turns it into a dollar limit. This guide shows you how to find yours.
How much can I earn and still qualify for Medicaid?
The answer starts with where you live. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) gave states the option to open Medicaid to nearly all adults with low incomes, which is known as Medicaid expansion.
In expansion states, you can qualify based on income alone. The line is 138% of the FPL, according to HealthCare.gov. You don't need to have children or a disability.
To turn 138% into dollars, take the 2026 poverty guideline for your household size and multiply it by 1.38. HealthCare.gov lists income amounts by household size. Your state's chart is the one that decides your case, so check the figure there. You can find your state's program through Medicaid.gov's state program overviews.
Most states look at your current monthly income, not what you earned last year. That matters when things change fast. Say you're 58, you live alone, and your hours were cut to 20 a week this spring. Last year's tax return might be over the limit, but this month's pay may not be. Divide your state's yearly limit by 12 and compare it with what you earn now.
Here's how the income rules compare by group.
Who | How income is judged | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
Adults 19 to 64 in expansion states | Up to 138% of the FPL | Your state's adult income chart |
Adults in non-expansion states | Lower limits, often only for parents | Your state's Medicaid agency |
Children | Separate limits, often higher than adults' | Your state's Medicaid and CHIP chart |
Pregnant people | Separate limits, often higher than adults' | Your state's pregnancy chart |
Adults 65+ and people with disabilities | Different rules that often count savings too | Your state's aged, blind, and disabled program |
Which states haven't expanded Medicaid in 2026?
As of 2026, these 10 states haven't adopted full Medicaid expansion: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. States can change their programs, so confirm your state's current status in Medicaid.gov's state program overviews before you rely on this list.
In most of these states, adults without children can't get Medicaid based on income alone. Parents can qualify, but usually only at very low incomes. Wisconsin covers some adults with very low incomes without full expansion. Georgia runs a limited program with its own work and income rules, so check that state's current requirements.
Some adults in these states land in what's called the coverage gap. HealthCare.gov explains that if your income is below 100% of the FPL in a non-expansion state, you may not qualify for Medicaid or for savings on a Marketplace plan. (The Marketplace is where you shop for private health insurance.) If that's you, it's still worth checking whether you fit another group, like pregnancy or disability.
What counts as income for Medicaid?
For adults under 65, children, and pregnant people, states generally use a method called modified adjusted gross income (MAGI). In plain terms, MAGI starts with the income on your federal tax return. Then it adds back a few things, like Social Security benefits that weren't taxed.
Your household is usually your tax household. That means you, your spouse if you're married, and anyone you claim as a dependent.
Usually counts | Usually doesn't count |
|---|---|
Wages, tips, and salary before taxes | Supplemental Security Income (SSI) |
Self-employment income after business expenses | Child support you receive |
Unemployment benefits | VA disability compensation |
Social Security, including Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), and pensions | Gifts and loans |
These are general patterns, and your state makes the final call, especially on unusual income like a lump-sum payment. Our guide on whether the government can take your settlement money covers what a settlement can mean for your benefits.
Are Medicaid income limits different for kids, pregnancy, seniors, or disability?
These groups do have their own rules. Some families qualify through a child even when the parents don't.
Children can qualify through Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). CHIP covers kids in families that earn too much for Medicaid but can't afford private coverage. Limits for kids are often well above the adult limit. Check for your children even if you don't qualify yourself.
Pregnant people often qualify at higher incomes, too. Coverage continues for a period after the baby is born.
Adults 65 and older and people with disabilities usually go through a different door. These programs don't use MAGI. Many count your savings and other assets, not just income. Their income limits are often tied to SSI, and in many states, SSI approval brings Medicaid with it. If you're sorting out which disability program fits you, start with our guide to the key differences between SSDI and SSI.
Some states also have a medically needy program. It lets people with high medical bills subtract those costs from their income until they reach the limit. People often call this a spend-down.
Will Medicaid check my income again after I'm approved?
Your state does review eligibility at renewal. You're also expected to report income changes in between. A raise or a new person in your home can change where you stand.
The rules are changing, too. A new federal law is set to add work requirements for many adults in expansion states starting in 2027, along with more frequent eligibility checks. Check the current rules with your state Medicaid office as details are finalized. Our guide to the new Medicaid work requirements explains who's exempt and what to prepare. Keep your address current with your state Medicaid office so renewal notices reach you.
What this means for you
Checking your own eligibility comes down to five steps.
- Find your state's status. Use the state overview on Medicaid.gov to see whether your state expanded Medicaid.
- Count your household. Include yourself, your spouse, and anyone you claim on your taxes.
- Add up this month's income. Use pay before taxes, plus anything from the "usually counts" column above.
- Compare with the right chart. Use your state's chart for your group: adult, child, pregnancy, or aged and disabled.
- Apply if you're close. Your state decides eligibility, not the chart you read online. Applying is free.
For how to apply, find your state's guide on the Turnout blog. Once you're approved, what Medicaid actually covers is likely more than you'd expect.
If your income is near the Medicaid line, you may be close to other limits, too. Our 2026 SNAP eligibility guide covers food assistance. For other programs, see our articles on navigating government benefits. If you'd rather talk it through with a person, contact our team.
FAQ
Can I have a job and still get Medicaid?
You can. Medicaid is based on income, not on whether you work. Many people with part-time or low-wage jobs qualify, so compare your current monthly pay with your state's limit.
Does Medicaid look at how much money I have in the bank?
For most adults under 65, children, and pregnant people, it doesn't. MAGI rules look at income only. Programs for seniors and people with disabilities often do count savings, so check your state's rules for that group.
What if my income is a little over the limit?
Apply anyway if you're close. Your state makes the final decision, and some income you counted may not count. You may also qualify through another group, a spend-down program, or savings on a Marketplace plan through HealthCare.gov.
Does unemployment count as income for Medicaid?
Unemployment benefits generally count under MAGI rules. If your unemployment ends, report the change, because a lower income could change your eligibility.
Turnout is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation.
It's your turn
Your state's Medicaid limit is one number, and it's rarely the only program worth checking. Eligibility rules vary by program and by state, so see what Turnout offers as you look into which programs you may qualify for in your state.