Hawaii’s Medicaid program, Med-QUEST, uses different income limits depending on your age, household size, and whether you’re pregnant, a child, or an adult applying based on age or disability.
The limits below took effect February 1, 2026 (technically January 13, 2026, per the state’s official chart). Most groups have no asset test, but seniors and people with disabilities do.
Quick Answer
- Adults 19–64: Qualify with income up to $2,112/month for one person (138% of the Federal Poverty Level, with Hawaii’s 5% disregard applied).
- Pregnant women: Qualify up to $2,999/month for one person (196% FPL). Coverage continues for 12 months after birth, no matter what happens to your income.
- Children (0–18): Qualify up to $4,789/month for a one-person household under Hawaii’s CHIP-funded Medicaid group (313% FPL) — one of the highest child income limits in the country.
- No asset test applies to adults, children, or pregnant women under these MAGI-based rules.
- Seniors (65+) and people who are blind or disabled: The standard Medicaid income limit is $994/month for one person, not the higher figures used for MAGI groups. Hawaii allows a spend-down to $469/month if your income is higher.
- Asset limit for seniors/disabled applicants: $2,000 for one person, $3,000 for a couple.
- Work requirements: Not in effect yet. Federal rules starting January 1, 2027 will require many adults ages 19–64 to complete 80 hours a month of work or approved activities to keep coverage — but this doesn’t affect your eligibility in 2026.
- Next step: Apply at mybenefits.hawaii.gov, or call Med-QUEST at 1-800-316-8005 to confirm your exact limit by household size.
Income Limits for Most Applicants (MAGI Groups)
Most people who apply for Hawaii Medicaid — children, pregnant women, parents, and adults under 65 — are evaluated under Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) rules. This method counts most taxable income and does not look at savings, vehicles, or other assets.
The table below shows the maximum monthly income allowed, including Hawaii’s standard 5% income disregard. This disregard is applied only when it’s the difference between qualifying and not qualifying.
| Household Size | Adults 19–64 (138% FPL) | Pregnant Women (196% FPL) | Children 0–18 (313% FPL) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2,112 | $2,999 | $4,789 |
| 2 | $2,863 | $4,066 | $6,493 |
| 3 | $3,614 | $5,132 | $8,196 |
| 4 | $4,365 | $6,199 | $9,899 |
| Each additional person | +$750 | +$1,066 | +$1,703 |
Source: Hawaii Med-QUEST Division, 2026 MAGI Income Standards Chart, effective 01/13/2026.
There is no asset or resource test for any of these groups. This means savings accounts, retirement funds, a home, or a car do not affect eligibility.
Parents and caretaker relatives are assessed at a lower threshold — 105% of the Federal Poverty Level ($1,607/month for one person, per Med-QUEST’s chart) — because this is a separate eligibility category from the general adult expansion group. If you’re a parent whose income is too high for this category but under 138% FPL, you may still qualify as an ACA expansion adult.
Income Limits for Seniors, Blind, or Disabled Applicants (Non-MAGI)
If you’re 65 or older, or you’re blind or have a qualifying disability, Hawaii uses a different set of rules that do include an asset test.
| Category | Single Applicant | Two-Person Household |
|---|---|---|
| Standard ABD income limit (SSI-related) | $994/month | $1,491/month |
| Medically needy spend-down limit | $469/month | $632/month |
| Asset limit | $2,000 | $3,000 |
Source: Hawaii Med-QUEST Division, 2026 MAGI-Excepted Income Standards Chart, effective 01/13/2026.
This means what it says: if you’re single and your countable income is above $994 a month, you don’t automatically lose eligibility. Hawaii is a “medically needy spend-down” state, so you can subtract verified medical expenses from your income each month. Once your remaining income drops to $469 or below, you may qualify for that month.
A common mix-up: You may see $1,530/month listed elsewhere as the Hawaii ABD income limit. That figure is actually the Optional Categorically Needy standard (100% FPL), used for a different purpose — the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) and Medicare Savings Programs, which help pay Medicare premiums and cost-sharing. It is not the standard used to determine regular ABD Medicaid eligibility.
Assets that don’t count toward the $2,000/$3,000 limit generally include:
- Your primary home, if your equity is below $1,130,000 and you live in it
- One vehicle
- Personal belongings and household goods
If you’re married and only one spouse is applying for long-term care (such as a nursing home or home-based waiver services), the non-applicant spouse can typically keep more. In 2026, Hawaii allows the at-home spouse to retain up to $162,660 in countable assets under the Community Spouse Resource Allowance — the federal maximum.
Why Hawaii’s Numbers Look Higher Than Other States
Hawaii calculates its Medicaid income limits using its own, higher Federal Poverty Level guidelines rather than the standard used in the 48 contiguous states. This is why a single adult in Hawaii can earn more than a single adult in most other states and still qualify at the same 138% FPL threshold. If you’re comparing figures from a national Medicaid guide, don’t assume it reflects Hawaii’s actual dollar amounts — always check Hawaii-specific figures.
Work Requirements: Not Yet in Effect for 2026
Federal legislation (the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed July 2025) will eventually require many Medicaid expansion adults ages 19–64 to complete at least 80 hours per month of work, job training, education, or community service to keep their coverage. States must implement this by January 1, 2027, though some states have started earlier through waivers.
As of this writing, Hawaii has not announced an earlier start date, so this requirement does not affect your Medicaid eligibility for the rest of 2026. Pregnant women, people with disabilities, and several other groups will be exempt once the rule takes effect. If you’re in the affected age group, it’s worth watching for notices from Med-QUEST later in 2026 about how to report your hours.
How to Apply
You can apply for Hawaii Medicaid (Med-QUEST) in a few ways:
- Online: mybenefits.hawaii.gov
- By phone: 1-800-316-8005
- In person: A Med-QUEST District Office on Oahu, Maui, Hawaii Island, or Kauai
Have recent pay stubs, proof of household size, and identification ready. If your application involves a disability determination, processing can take longer than a standard application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my savings account affect my Medicaid eligibility in Hawaii?
Only if you’re applying based on age (65+), blindness, or disability. If you’re applying as a child, pregnant woman, parent, or adult under 65, there is no asset test — only your income counts.
What if my income is slightly over the limit for my category?
If you’re 65 or older, blind, or disabled, you may still qualify through the medically needy spend-down program by subtracting medical expenses from your income. If you’re in a MAGI group and over the limit, you may want to check Marketplace coverage through Healthcare.gov, which offers subsidies starting at 100% of the poverty level.
Will I lose coverage if my income changes during the year?
Pregnant women keep coverage for 12 months after giving birth regardless of income changes. Other groups may need to report income changes, which could affect eligibility at your next renewal.
Do work requirements apply to me right now?
No. As of 2026, no Hawaii Medicaid enrollee is required to report work hours. This starts nationally on January 1, 2027, for certain adults ages 19–64.
Is the income limit the same for CHIP as it is for children’s Medicaid?
In Hawaii, children up to 313% FPL are covered directly through Medicaid rather than a separate CHIP program with different rules, which is part of why the state’s child income limit is unusually high.
Where can I double-check my exact limit?
Contact Med-QUEST directly at 1-800-316-8005, since your household size, income type, and category all affect the exact figure that applies to you.
Last Updated: September 8, 2026
Sources:
- Hawaii Med-QUEST Division, 2026 MAGI and MAGI-Excepted Income Standards Chart (effective 01/13/2026)
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Interim Final Rule on Medicaid Community Engagement Requirements (June 1, 2026)
- CMS CMCS Informational Bulletin, Updated 2026 SSI and Spousal Impoverishment Standards (April 27, 2026)
Disclaimer: CheckMedicaid.com is not affiliated with any government agency. This content is for educational purposes only. For an official eligibility decision, contact Med-QUEST or your state Medicaid agency.
