Last reviewed: August 24, 2026
Written by Akash Biswas, MSW — former Medicaid & SNAP caseworker trainer. Learn how we verify our information →
Covered California income limits in 2026 depend on which program you may qualify for. Standard adult Medi-Cal generally uses the current-year Federal Poverty Level (FPL) limit of up to 138% FPL, while Covered California uses a separate prior-year FPL table to determine marketplace financial help. That is why you may see different income figures in official California sources.
For example, California DHCS lists the 2026 standard adult Medi-Cal income limit at $21,597 a year for one person and $44,367 a year for a family of four. Covered California’s 2026 marketplace chart lists $22,025 for one person and $45,540 for a family of four at 138% FPL because Covered California and Medi-Cal use different FPL timing rules.dhcs.ca+1
This guide explains the 2026 limits, how to estimate your household’s FPL percentage, which income is counted, and what may happen if your income is too high for Medi-Cal but within the range for Covered California financial help.
Important: This article is an independent educational guide, not an official eligibility determination. Covered California, your county Medi-Cal office, and other state agencies make the final decision based on your application, household, income, immigration/coverage eligibility rules, and other program requirements.
Quick answer: Which California program may apply?
| If your household income is… | You may be considered for… | Important 2026 note |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 138% FPL | Standard adult Medi-Cal | DHCS uses current-year FPL limits for Medi-Cal |
| 100% to 400% FPL | Federal premium tax credits through Covered California, if other requirements are met | Consumers above 400% FPL are not eligible for a federal premium tax credit in 2026 |
| 100% to 165% FPL | California state premium subsidy, if eligible | This is separate from federal premium tax credits |
| 100% to 150% FPL | Enhanced Silver 94 plan eligibility, if eligible | Enhanced Silver plans can reduce deductibles, copays, and maximum out-of-pocket costs |
| More than 150% to 200% FPL | Enhanced Silver 87 plan eligibility, if eligible | Available through Covered California |
| More than 200% to 250% FPL | Enhanced Silver 73 plan eligibility, if eligible | Available through Covered California |
| Up to 266% FPL | Medi-Cal for children age 0–18 may be available | Children can qualify even when adults in the same household qualify for Covered California |
| Up to 213% FPL | Medi-Cal for pregnant individuals may be available | Pregnancy coverage uses different eligibility rules |
| More than 213% to 322% FPL | Medi-Cal Access Program, or MCAP, may be available for pregnant individuals | Additional eligibility conditions apply |
Covered California’s official 2026 chart states that federal premium tax credits apply from 100% to 400% FPL, the California state subsidy applies from 100% to 165% FPL, adult Medi-Cal generally reaches 138% FPL, Medi-Cal for children reaches 266% FPL, and pregnancy-related programs have separate limits.coveredca
Why Covered California and Medi-Cal limits differ
This is the most important part of understanding California health coverage income limits in 2026.
Medi-Cal and Covered California do not use the same FPL timing rule.
- Medi-Cal uses current-year FPL limits calculated by the California Department of Health Care Services, or DHCS.
- Covered California uses FPL limits from the previous year to determine eligibility for its marketplace programs and financial help.
Covered California’s 2026 chart specifically explains this distinction. As a result, the 138% FPL figure may be different depending on whether you are looking at a Medi-Cal table or a Covered California marketplace financial-help table.coveredca
Example: One adult
- Standard adult Medi-Cal’s 2026 annual limit at 138% FPL is $21,597 under DHCS’s eligibility chart.
- Covered California’s 2026 marketplace chart lists $22,025 at 138% FPL for one person.
Both figures appear in official California materials, but they apply to different program calculations. Do not assume one number applies to every program.dhcs.ca+1
2026 Covered California income limits
The table below shows the FPL figures used by Covered California for its 2026 marketplace programs and financial-help ranges. These annual amounts are useful for estimating whether a household may fall within the federal premium tax credit, California state subsidy, or Enhanced Silver ranges.
| Household size | 100% FPL | 138% FPL | 150% FPL | 165% FPL | 200% FPL | 250% FPL | 400% FPL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $15,650 | $22,025 | $23,475 | $25,823 | $31,300 | $39,125 | $62,600 |
| 2 | $21,150 | $29,864 | $31,725 | $34,898 | $42,300 | $52,875 | $84,600 |
| 3 | $26,650 | $37,702 | $39,975 | $43,973 | $53,300 | $66,625 | $106,600 |
| 4 | $32,150 | $45,540 | $48,225 | $53,048 | $64,300 | $80,375 | $128,600 |
| 5 | $37,650 | $53,379 | $56,475 | $62,123 | $75,300 | $94,125 | $150,600 |
| 6 | $43,150 | $61,217 | $64,725 | $71,198 | $86,300 | $107,875 | $172,600 |
| 7 | $48,650 | $69,056 | $72,975 | $80,273 | $97,300 | $121,625 | $194,600 |
| 8 | $54,150 | $76,894 | $81,225 | $89,348 | $108,300 | $135,375 | $216,600 |
| Each additional person | Add $5,500 | Add $7,839 | Add $8,250 | Add $9,075 | Add $11,000 | Add $13,750 | Add $22,000 |
How to read this table
- Income from 100% through 400% FPL may qualify for federal premium tax credits through Covered California if the household meets other eligibility requirements.
- Income from 100% through 165% FPL may qualify for California’s state premium subsidy if the household meets the program requirements.
- The 138% FPL column helps show where many consumers may be considered for Medi-Cal, but actual Medi-Cal eligibility should be checked using the DHCS figures and a completed application.
- The 400% FPL column is important in 2026 because consumers with income above 400% FPL are not eligible for a federal premium tax credit under the Covered California chart.coveredca
2026 Medi-Cal income limits for adults
For standard adult Medi-Cal, California DHCS lists the following annual income limits at 138% FPL.
| Household size | Annual income limit at 138% FPL | Approximate monthly amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $21,597 | $1,800 |
| 2 | $29,187 | $2,432 |
| 3 | $36,777 | $3,065 |
| 4 | $44,367 | $3,697 |
| 5 | $51,957 | $4,330 |
| 6 | $59,547 | $4,962 |
| 7 | $67,137 | $5,595 |
| 8 | $74,727 | $6,227 |
| Each additional person | Add $7,590 | Add about $633 |
DHCS publishes these as annual 138% FPL income limits for standard Medi-Cal eligibility. Your county and the state determine final eligibility, and some applicants may qualify through a different Medi-Cal pathway with different rules.dhcs.ca
Note on monthly figures: Monthly amounts in this article are approximate annual-income conversions for easier reading unless a specific official monthly table is cited. Eligibility systems may calculate income using program-specific rules, rounding, pay frequency, deductions, and household details.
Medi-Cal limits for children and pregnancy
California does not use one Medi-Cal income limit for every person in a household.
Medi-Cal for children
Children ages 0 through 18 may qualify for Medi-Cal with household income up to 266% FPL. This means a child may qualify for Medi-Cal even if a parent qualifies instead for a Covered California plan with financial help.coveredca
Medi-Cal for pregnant individuals
Pregnant individuals may qualify for Medi-Cal with household income up to 213% FPL. Coverage rules can vary based on pregnancy status, household composition, and other eligibility factors.coveredca
MCAP for pregnant individuals
The Medi-Cal Access Program, or MCAP, may be available to qualifying pregnant individuals with income over 213% FPL through 322% FPL. DHCS’s 2026 MCAP information provides household-size-specific monthly thresholds and additional program requirements.coveredca+1
CCHIP in certain counties
The County Children’s Health Initiative Program, or CCHIP, may be available to some children in San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties with household income over 266% through 322% FPL. Availability and eligibility depend on the county program and individual circumstances.coveredca
Covered California subsidies in 2026
Covered California financial help can include different forms of assistance. The amount a household receives is not based on income alone. It can also depend on household size, ages, county, the second-lowest-cost Silver plan in the area, and other eligibility details.
Federal premium tax credits
In 2026, Covered California’s chart states that consumers with household income from 100% through 400% FPL may qualify for federal premium tax credits if they meet the remaining requirements.
If your household income is above 400% FPL, you are not eligible for a federal premium tax credit in 2026 under the Covered California program chart.coveredca
California state premium subsidy
California’s state premium subsidy is available to eligible consumers from 100% through 165% FPL in 2026.
- From 100% through 150% FPL, the chart lists a 0% household-income premium contribution toward the benchmark plan.
- Above 150% through 165% FPL, the listed contribution range is 3.19% to 3.91% of household income.
- The premium you actually pay can still vary by plan, age, county, household circumstances, and available financial help.coveredca+1
Enhanced Silver plans
Covered California’s Enhanced Silver plans may reduce deductibles, copays, and out-of-pocket maximum costs for qualifying enrollees.
| Household income range | Potential Enhanced Silver level |
|---|---|
| 100% to 150% FPL | Silver 94 |
| More than 150% to 200% FPL | Silver 87 |
| More than 200% to 250% FPL | Silver 73 |
These benefits are different from premium tax credits. A household may need to select the appropriate Silver plan to receive applicable cost-sharing reductions.coveredca
What income counts for Covered California?
Covered California generally uses your household’s expected Modified Adjusted Gross Income, often called MAGI, for the coverage year.
MAGI is not always the same as your take-home pay or your gross paycheck amount. Depending on your circumstances, income considered in an application may include items such as:
- Wages, salaries, tips, and taxable employment income
- Net self-employment income
- Unemployment compensation
- Taxable interest and dividends
- Taxable retirement income
- Taxable Social Security income, when applicable
- Certain other taxable income reported on your federal tax return
Your household’s specific MAGI can be affected by tax-filing status, deductions, business income, retirement income, and which people you claim on your tax return.
Do not deliberately underestimate your annual income. If you receive advance premium tax credits and your final income is higher than the estimate used for enrollment, you may have to reconcile the assistance when filing your federal taxes. Covered California explains that reconciliation compares the financial help received with the amount you actually qualified for based on your final household income and situation.coveredca
For complex income—especially self-employment income, fluctuating hours, unemployment, investment income, or retirement distributions—consider reviewing the official Covered California application guidance or speaking with a qualified tax professional or certified enrollment counselor.
How Covered California counts household size
For marketplace coverage, household size is usually connected to your tax household—the people you expect to include on your federal tax return.
Your household may include:
- You
- Your spouse, if you expect to file jointly
- Dependents you expect to claim
However, household rules can become more complicated for:
- Parents who do not claim a child
- Divorced or separated parents
- Mixed immigration-status households
- Adult children
- Married couples filing separately
- People who are claimed as dependents by someone else
- Pregnant applicants
- People applying for Medi-Cal through a non-MAGI pathway
Do not assume that everyone living at the same address counts as part of your Covered California household. Complete the official application or speak with a certified enroller if your tax household is unclear.
What if your income changes?
Report significant income or household changes to Covered California as soon as you can. Examples include:
- Starting or leaving a job
- A major change in work hours, tips, commissions, or self-employment income
- Marriage or divorce
- Birth, adoption, or a change in dependents
- Moving to another county
- Gaining or losing other health coverage
- Changes in unemployment, retirement, or investment income
Updating your information can change whether you qualify for Medi-Cal, Covered California financial help, or a different plan option.
If you received advance premium tax credits, your final eligibility is reconciled at tax time. Covered California explains that if you received more financial help than you qualified for based on final income, you may have to repay some or all excess assistance, subject to applicable federal rules and repayment limits.coveredca
How to apply
You can apply for Medi-Cal and Covered California coverage through the official Covered California application process. The application can determine whether you or members of your household may qualify for:
- Medi-Cal
- Covered California plans
- Federal premium tax credits
- California state premium subsidies
- Cost-sharing reductions or Enhanced Silver plan options
For official help, use the Covered California Help Center or contact your county office for Medi-Cal support. California DHCS directs consumers to county offices and Covered California for assistance with Medi-Cal eligibility and applications.dhcs.ca
Frequently asked questions
What is the Covered California income limit for one person in 2026?
There is no one universal limit. For 2026, the Covered California marketplace chart lists $62,600 as 400% FPL for one person, which is the upper limit for federal premium tax credit eligibility under that chart. California’s state premium subsidy range reaches 165% FPL, or $25,823 for one person. Standard adult Medi-Cal is generally up to 138% FPL, and DHCS lists that as $21,597 annually for one person.dhcs.ca+1
What is the Covered California income limit for a family of four?
For a four-person household, Covered California’s 2026 chart lists $128,600 at 400% FPL and $53,048 at 165% FPL. DHCS lists the standard adult Medi-Cal limit at 138% FPL as $44,367 annually for a family of four.dhcs.ca+1
Is there an income limit to buy a Covered California plan?
You may be able to enroll in a Covered California health plan even if your income is above the range for financial help. However, the amount of premium assistance you may receive depends on program rules. Covered California’s 2026 chart states that consumers above 400% FPL are not eligible for a federal premium tax credit.coveredca
Why are the Medi-Cal and Covered California 138% FPL amounts different?
Medi-Cal uses current-year FPL values calculated by DHCS, while Covered California uses the previous year’s FPL values for its marketplace programs. The official Covered California chart specifically explains this timing difference.coveredca
Can my child qualify for Medi-Cal if I qualify for Covered California?
Yes, it may be possible. Children can have different eligibility rules from adults. Covered California’s 2026 chart states that Medi-Cal for children ages 0–18 may be available up to 266% FPL, while adult Medi-Cal generally reaches 138% FPL.coveredca
What happens if my income goes above 400% FPL?
According to Covered California’s 2026 chart, consumers above 400% FPL are not eligible for a federal premium tax credit. You may still be able to buy a Covered California plan, but you may pay the full premium unless you qualify for other assistance or have other coverage options.coveredca
Should I report a raise or income change?
Yes. Report changes promptly so Covered California can update your eligibility and financial-help estimate. This can reduce the risk of receiving more advance premium tax credit than you ultimately qualify for and having to repay excess assistance at tax time.coveredca
Sources and methodology
This guide was reviewed against current primary California sources available as of August 24, 2026.
- Covered California, Program Eligibility by Federal Poverty Level for 2026, dated March 2026. This source provides Covered California marketplace FPL figures, federal premium tax credit range, California state subsidy range, Enhanced Silver ranges, and program-specific Medi-Cal thresholds.coveredca
- California Department of Health Care Services, Eligibility by Federal Poverty Level. This source provides the 2026 standard adult Medi-Cal 138% FPL income limits by household size.dhcs.ca
- California Department of Health Care Services, 2026 FPL Calculation Chart.dhcs.ca
- Covered California, Paying Back Financial Help, for advance premium tax credit reconciliation information.coveredca
- California Department of Health Care Services, Who Qualifies for MCAP?, for pregnancy-related MCAP eligibility references.dhcs.ca
Income figures and program rules can change. Always check the latest official Covered California and DHCS materials before making enrollment or tax decisions.
About the Author
Akash Biswas holds a Master’s in Social Work and previously trained caseworkers on SNAP and Medicaid eligibility rules. He personally writes and verifies every article on CheckMedicaid.com against primary government sources. Read more about our editorial process →
Last verified: August 21, 2026, against the West Virginia Bureau for Medical Services and current HHS Federal Poverty Guidelines.
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