Medicaid may be able to access depends on your income, family size, and which state you live in

Medicaid is a joint federal and state program, which means each state sets its own income limits and coverage rules within federal guidelines. There is no single national threshold. A person who qualifies in one state may not may have access to in another. The main factors are your household income, family size, age, disability status, and whether you are pregnant or a parent of dependent children.

Most states use the federal poverty level as a starting point, then add their own adjustments. Some states are more generous; others are stricter. You need to check your specific state's rules because the difference between may have access to and not may have access to can be a few hundred dollars per month.

Key Takeaways

  • Income limits vary by state and family size, so you must check your state's Medicaid program directly to know your threshold.
  • Household income is calculated differently depending on whether you are explore as an individual, a parent, a child, or a pregnant person.
  • Some states expanded Medicaid to cover adults earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level; others did not, creating a coverage gap for some workers.
  • Your state's Medicaid office or a 211 referral can tell you within minutes whether your income and family situation meet your state's rules.

Income thresholds and how they are calculated

Your income is measured against the federal poverty level, which changes each year. For 2024, the federal poverty level for a single person is about $15,000 per year; for a family of four, it is about $31,000. Most states use a percentage of this level to set their own limits.

The calculation includes wages, self-employment income, Social Security, unemployment benefits, and child support you receive. It does not include food stamps, housing information, or most other government benefits. Some income sources are excluded entirely—for example, the first $65 per month of earned income is often disregarded.

Your state's Medicaid office publishes its exact income limits in a table organized by family size. You can find this on your state health department website or by calling your state Medicaid hotline. The limits change once per year, usually in January.

Medicaid expansion and the coverage gap

In 2014, the Affordable Care Act allowed states to expand Medicaid to cover adults earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level, regardless of disability or family status. As of 2024, about 40 states have adopted this expansion. The other states have not, which means a working adult without children or a disability may fall into a coverage gap—earning too much for traditional Medicaid but not enough to afford marketplace insurance.

If you live in a non-expansion state and have no dependent children or disability, your income threshold is typically much lower—often around 50% of the federal poverty level. This means you might earn $800 per month and still not may have access to. If you live in an expansion state, the same person would likely may have access to.

Your state's name and expansion status are straightforward to verify online. Search "[your state] Medicaid expansion" or call your state Medicaid office to confirm whether you fall under the expanded rules.

Special rules for children, pregnant people, and parents

Children and pregnant people often have higher income limits than working-age adults without children. Many states cover children in households earning up to 200% or even 300% of the federal poverty level. Pregnant people are usually covered up to 185% or 200% of poverty in most states.

Parents of dependent children typically may have access to at a higher threshold than childless adults, though still lower than children themselves. The exact limits depend on your state. A parent of two children might may have access to at 100% of poverty in one state and 150% in another.

If you are explore for a child or a pregnant household member, use the income limit for that person's category, not your own. Your state's Medicaid office can tell you which category applies to each household member.

Assets and resource limits

Most states have asset limits—a cap on how much money, property, or other resources you can own and still may have access to. For individuals, this limit is often $2,000; for couples, $3,000. Your home and one vehicle are usually excluded from this count. Retirement accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs are also typically excluded.

Liquid assets—cash, savings accounts, checking accounts, stocks—count toward the limit. If you are over the limit, you may be asked to spend down those assets on medical care or other allowed expenses before Medicaid begins.

Some states have eliminated asset limits entirely. Check your state's rules, because this can be the difference between may have access to and not.

Citizenship and residency requirements

You must be a U.S. citizen or a may have access to non-citizen to receive Medicaid. may have access to non-citizens include lawful permanent residents (green card holders), refugees, asylees, and certain other immigration statuses. Undocumented immigrants are not may be able to access for regular Medicaid in most states, though some states cover emergency services regardless of immigration status.

You must also live in the state where you are explore. You do not need to have lived there for a certain length of time, but you must be a resident at the time of process.

How to find your state's specific rules

The fastest way to learn your state's exact income limits and rules is to contact your state Medicaid office directly. You can find the phone number on your state health department website or by searching "[your state] Medicaid contact."

You can also call 211 (dial 2-1-1 from any phone) and ask for your state's Medicaid information line. They will tell you your state's income threshold for your household size and situation in one call.

Many states also have online income calculators on their Medicaid websites. These are not binding—they are for information only—but they give you a rough idea of whether you are in range before you contact the office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my income have to be below the poverty line to may have access to for Medicaid?

Not necessarily. Most states set their income limits above the federal poverty level. In expansion states, the limit is 138% of poverty. In non-expansion states, it varies widely—some are at 100% of poverty, others at 50%. Check your state's specific threshold.

If I get a raise at work, will I lose Medicaid?

Only if your new income exceeds your state's limit. Many states have a grace period or allow a small income increase before coverage ends. Some also have rules that let you keep Medicaid for a few months after exceeding the limit. Ask your state Medicaid office about your state's income change policy.

Do I have to report my income every month?

Most states require you to report changes in income, family size, or living situation within 30 days. You do not have to report every month unless your state specifically asks. But if your income or household changes, you must tell them so your coverage stays accurate.

What counts as household income for Medicaid?

Wages, self-employment income, Social Security, unemployment, and child support all count. Most government benefits like food stamps and housing information do not. Some income is excluded—typically the first $65 per month of earned income. Your state's Medicaid office can give you a complete list of what counts in your state.

Can I may have access to if I am unemployed?

Yes, if you have no income or very low income, you likely may have access to. Unemployment benefits count as income, so your may be able to access depends on the amount you receive. In expansion states, you may also may have access to based on your household size alone, even with no income.