Medi-Cal Income Limits 2026: California Medicaid Chart by Household Size

California's own chart, effective January 1, 2026, lets one adult have up to $1,835.42 a month (the annual figure divided by 12) and a household of four up to $3,795 a month for adults, which is 138% of the federal poverty level. Figures in bold come from the state agency's own chart, effective January 1, 2026; figures in italic are FedRateCalc's calculation from the state's percentage and the 2026 poverty guidelines, not from federal averages or the old Medicaid.gov table.

Maintained by Archie Chang · Charts and sources checked October 30, 2026 · Methodology & sources

Check your income

DHCS's pregnancy chart (ACWDL 26-01 enclosures) could not be read, so it is not listed; DHCS's 2025 comparison lists MCAP at 266 to 322 percent, so the checker offers adults, parents and children only.

$

Enter the whole household's countable income. States count income with MAGI rules, so this is a starting point, not a decision.

Result

Your income is at or below California's chart amount for this group.

Your income, a year
$18,000
Household size used in the chart
1
California chart amount, a year, 138%
$22,025
California chart amount, a month
$1,835.42

This is not an eligibility decision. California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) decides what income counts (MAGI rules), who is in the household and the final result. Apply to find out: Apply for Medi-Cal (DHCS).

California Medicaid income limit chart, 2026

Monthly and annual limits by household size for each group the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) prints. Bold figures are printed by the state; italic figures are FedRateCalc's calculation (a monthly figure times 12, an annual figure divided by 12, or, for the groups marked "Computed by FedRateCalc", the state's percentage times the 2026 poverty guideline, divided by 12 and rounded to a dollar). The state chart effective date is January 1, 2026.

Medicaid income limits by household size and coverage group
Household sizeAdults 19 to 64138%Effective January 1, 2026Parents and caretaker relatives (New Adult Group amounts)138%Effective January 1, 2026Children under 19 (OTLICP; 266% from a DHCS table dated March 12, 2025)266%Computed by FedRateCalcEffective percentage from a DHCS comparison dated March 12, 2025, on the 2026 guideline
1$1,835 a month$22,025 a year$1,835 a month$22,025 a year$3,538 a month$42,456 a year
2$2,489 a month$29,863 a year$2,489 a month$29,863 a year$4,797 a month$57,564 a year
3$3,142 a month$37,702 a year$3,142 a month$37,702 a year$6,056 a month$72,672 a year
4$3,795 a month$45,540 a year$3,795 a month$45,540 a year$7,315 a month$87,780 a year
5$4,448 a month$53,378 a year$4,448 a month$53,378 a year$8,574 a month$102,888 a year
6$5,101 a month$61,217 a year$5,101 a month$61,217 a year$9,833 a month$117,996 a year
7$5,755 a month$69,055 a year$5,755 a month$69,055 a year$11,092 a month$133,104 a year
8$6,408 a month$76,894 a year$6,408 a month$76,894 a year$12,351 a month$148,212 a year
  • Adults 19 to 64: DHCS prints annual amounts only (the page adds $7,839 for each person after 12); monthly figures are the annual amount divided by 12. The page prints no date; DHCS letter 26-01 says the new poverty levels are effective January 1, 2026 for people whose Medi-Cal is determined using MAGI.
  • Parents and caretaker relatives (New Adult Group amounts): DHCS's letter ACWDL 25-30 says the MAGI New Adult Group includes parents with income over 109% but at or below 138% of the federal poverty level, so parents up to 138% use the adult amounts shown; the DHCS chart page prints no separate parent column, and the Medicaid.gov table of December 1, 2023 shows 109% for California parents.
  • Children under 19 (OTLICP; 266% from a DHCS table dated March 12, 2025): DHCS's 2025 comparison prints dollar amounts for the 2025 poverty level, so they are not used; this column is the 266% printed there times the 2026 guideline. 266% equals the CMS table's 261% of December 1, 2023 plus 5 points by FedRateCalc's arithmetic, so the checker adds nothing on top.
  • DHCS prints one public chart, the Eligibility by Federal Poverty Level page, for the 138% limit: $22,025 a year for one person, $45,540 for four, and $7,839 more for each extra person. Its 138% amounts equal 138% of the 2026 guideline by FedRateCalc's arithmetic; the page does not say the 5% disregard is included.
  • DHCS letter 26-01 (January 21, 2026) says that for applicants and recipients whose Medi-Cal is determined based upon Modified Adjusted Gross Income methodologies, the new federal poverty level figures are effective January 1, 2026. It lists a separate effective date of April 1, 2026 for the aged, blind and disabled programs.
  • DHCS's comparison, last updated March 12, 2025, says the Optional Targeted Low-Income Children's Program serves children under 19 years of age with a household MAGI up to 266% FPL, and that C-CHIP and the Medi-Cal Access Program cover the range above 266% up to and including 322% FPL. The CMS table of December 1, 2023 shows 261% for children and 208% for pregnant women.
  • DHCS's pregnancy chart (ACWDL 26-01 enclosures) could not be read, so it is not listed; DHCS's 2025 comparison lists MCAP at 266 to 322 percent, saying the Medi-Cal Access Program provides comprehensive coverage to uninsured pregnant individuals and later their newborns above 266% up to and including 322% FPL.

Chart sources: California DHCS: Eligibility by Federal Poverty Level (138% FPL income limits); California DHCS: All County Welfare Directors Letter 26-01, 2026 Federal Poverty Levels (January 21, 2026); California DHCS: Program Income Eligibility Comparison (last updated March 12, 2025, 2025 poverty level).

How California counts the 5 percent disregard

Federal rules tell states to subtract 5 percentage points of the poverty level from income for the eligibility group with the highest income standard. That is why some state charts print a percentage such as 133% and others print the total, such as 138%.

“Effective January 1, 2014, in determining the eligibility of an individual using MAGI-based income, a state must subtract an amount equivalent to 5 percentage points of the Federal poverty level for the applicable family size only to determine the eligibility of an individual for medical assistance under the eligibility group with the highest income standard using MAGI-based methodologies in the applicable Title of the Act, but not to determine eligibility for a particular eligibility group.”
42 CFR 435.603(d)(4) (source)

The household size in the chart for a pregnant woman counts the children she is expected to deliver:

“In the case of determining the family size of a pregnant woman, the pregnant woman is counted as herself plus the number of children she is expected to deliver. In the case of determining the family size of other individuals who have a pregnant woman in their household, the pregnant woman is counted, at State option, as either 1 or 2 person(s) or as herself plus the number of children she is expected to deliver.”
42 CFR 435.603(b), definition of family size (source)

In California's chart, the amounts for Adults 19 to 64; Parents and caretaker relatives (New Adult Group amounts); Children under 19 (OTLICP; 266% from a DHCS table dated March 12, 2025) equal a standard percentage plus 5 points (for example 138% is 133% plus 5) by FedRateCalc's arithmetic; the chart does not say the 5% disregard is included, so the checker adds nothing on top.

California Medicaid programs and expansion

California's Department of Health Care Services describes the MAGI New Adult Group as extending Medicaid eligibility to all adults aged 19 to 64, including those without dependent children and parents with income over 109% but at or below 138% of the federal poverty level; Medicaid.gov's table, as of December 1, 2023, shows the expansion group at 133% for California.

  • Medi-Cal. DHCS's own letter on the work requirement refers to Medicaid ("Medi-Cal" in California). Adults 19 to 64 are in the MAGI New Adult Group, shown in the table at the 138% limit that DHCS prints on its Eligibility by Federal Poverty Level page.
  • Optional Targeted Low-Income Children's Program (OTLICP). DHCS's program comparison, last updated March 12, 2025, says the program serves children under 19 years of age with a household MAGI up to 266% FPL. The children's column in the table is FedRateCalc's calculation of that percentage on the 2026 guideline.
  • County Children's Health Initiative Program (C-CHIP) and Medi-Cal Access Program (MCAP). The same comparison says C-CHIP covers children under 19 with MAGI above 266% and up to and including 322% FPL, and MCAP covers uninsured pregnant individuals and later their newborns in that range. DHCS's 2026 poverty levels letter says C-CHIP is available in San Francisco, Santa Clara, and San Mateo counties only.

How to apply for Medicaid in California

DHCS lists four ways to sign up for Medi-Cal: online through BenefitsCal (the State Benefits Portal) or Covered California (the State Health Insurance Marketplace), by mail with a downloaded application, by phone with your county office, or in person at a county office. You can also apply through Covered California, California's own Marketplace; HealthCare.gov sends California residents there.

Apply for Medi-Cal (DHCS)

California Medicaid changes in 2027

DHCS's H.R.1 implementation plan, dated January 29, 2026, lists work reporting requirements and six-month renewals for the New Adult Group as effective January 1, 2027 and says renewals stay annual for children, pregnant people, older adults and other groups; DHCS calls its December 30, 2025 work-requirements letter preliminary guidance subject to change.

“Work Reporting Requirements (Effective January 1, 2027): Requires adult expansion enrollees eligible for federally-funded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, also called the “New Adult Group” to work, study or volunteer at least 80 hours per month unless exempt.”
California DHCS, H.R.1 Implementation Plan (January 29, 2026) (source)
“Six-Month Renewals (Effective January 1, 2027): Requires the New Adult Group members to renew Medi-Cal every six months instead of once a year. The renewal period continues to be on an annual basis for all other populations, such as children, pregnant people, older adults, persons with disabilities, and American Indian and Alaska Natives.”
California DHCS, H.R.1 Implementation Plan (January 29, 2026) (source)
“The MAGI New Adult Group (i.e. aid code M1), as prescribed in Section 1902(a)(10)(A)(i)(VIII) of the ACA, extends Medicaid eligibility to all adults aged 19 to 64, including those without dependent children and parents with income over 109% but at or below 138% of the federal poverty level (FPL).”
California DHCS, ACWDL 25-30 (December 30, 2025, preliminary guidance) (source)

The federal law behind these changes, Public Law 119-21, is explained with its exemptions and dates on the Medicaid income limits page. The income limits in the table above do not change because of it.

Frequently asked questions

What is the California Medicaid income limit in 2026?

California's own chart, effective January 1, 2026, lets one adult have up to $1,835.42 a month (the annual figure divided by 12) and a household of four up to $3,795 a month for adults, which is 138% of the federal poverty level.

Did California expand Medicaid?

California's Department of Health Care Services describes the MAGI New Adult Group as extending Medicaid eligibility to all adults aged 19 to 64, including those without dependent children and parents with income over 109% but at or below 138% of the federal poverty level; Medicaid.gov's table, as of December 1, 2023, shows the expansion group at 133% for California.

How do I apply for Medicaid in California?

DHCS lists four ways to sign up for Medi-Cal: online through BenefitsCal (the State Benefits Portal) or Covered California (the State Health Insurance Marketplace), by mail with a downloaded application, by phone with your county office, or in person at a county office. You can also apply through Covered California, California's own Marketplace; HealthCare.gov sends California residents there.

What changes for California Medicaid in 2027?

DHCS's H.R.1 implementation plan, dated January 29, 2026, lists work reporting requirements and six-month renewals for the New Adult Group as effective January 1, 2027 and says renewals stay annual for children, pregnant people, older adults and other groups; DHCS calls its December 30, 2025 work-requirements letter preliminary guidance subject to change. The charts on this page are 2026 charts; the community engagement requirement and six-month renewals are separate from the income limits.

Do the same limits apply to California seniors and people with disabilities?

No. Medicaid for people who are aged, blind or disabled uses different income and resource rules from the MAGI groups in this chart. Ask the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) or see Medicare vs Medicaid on this site.

How often does California update its Medicaid income limits?

The charts follow the federal poverty guidelines, which HHS updates each year, and California's source on this page is dated January 1, 2026. FedRateCalc will look for California's 2027 chart after HHS publishes the 2027 guidelines.

Related pages

FedRateCalc is not a government site and cannot decide eligibility. Charts change when the state updates them; confirm with the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) before relying on a figure.

Sources

All sources are government pages, read October 30, 2026, except the pages marked below, which were read from Internet Archive captures because the agency's site refused direct connections or no longer serves the page. The Medicaid.gov table is dated December 1, 2023 and is used only as a cross-check.