2025 Medicaid Income Limits by State | December Updated

Last Update: 26 December 2025 (by Government benefits Akash Biswas)

I researched and collected all the information for the 2026 Medicaid eligibility income chart. During my research, I found many confusing details—even on the first page of Google.

Most websites explain this information in a way that is difficult for regular users like you and me to understand.

That’s why I, Akash Biswas, explain all the data and rules in a simple and easy way, so you can understand them without any confusion.

If you have trouble reading or viewing the table on your mobile phone, turn on Desktop Mode by clicking the three dots on the top right of your browser and selecting Desktop site.

Here is a simple summary of what you will find in this new update:

• The table shows monthly Medicaid income limits by state for seniors.
• Income is only one part of Medicaid eligibility.
• Other requirements include:
  • Asset limits
  • Medical level-of-care rules
  • State-specific guidelines
• Income limits vary based on:
  • Marital status
  • Whether both spouses are applying
  • Type of Medicaid (Nursing Home, HCBS Waiver, or Aged/Blind/Disabled)
• Being over the income limit does not mean you are disqualified.
  • Many states allow spend-down programs or special trusts to help people qualify.
• Nursing Home Medicaid:
  • Most income must be paid toward care.
  • Only a small monthly allowance is kept.
• Medicaid at home (HCBS Waivers):
  • Beneficiaries can keep more income to pay for living expenses.

2026 Medicaid Income Eligibility Limits (Updated Dec. 2025)

Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Vermont

Virginia

Washington

Washington, DC

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Wyoming

*Many institutional programs require income above a small personal needs allowance to be paid toward care costs. †Kansas HCBS requires income over the cap to be paid toward care (income spend-down).

2025 Medicaid Income Limits by Household Size for All States

Here are the newest 2025 federal poverty guidelines. Medicaid programs use these numbers to decide if you qualify. (These apply in 48 states + Washington, D.C. Alaska and Hawaii are higher.)

*Most adults under 65 in Medicaid expansion states can qualify up to 138% of FPL.

👉 Direct answer examples:

• If you live alone, you may qualify if you make $21,597 or less per year.
• If you have a family of four, you may qualify if your income is $44,367 or less per year.
• Each extra person adds about $5,500 to the limit.

Medicaid Income Limits for Adults 2025

2025 Medicaid Gross Monthly Income Limits for Children (Ages 6–18)

Here is the fully corrected, 100% accurate Medicaid gross monthly income limits table for children ages 6–18 for all states, using official 2025 Federal Poverty Level data and verified Medicaid.gov eligibility percentages.

PREGNANT WOMEN 2025: Medicaid Monthly Income Limits

PARENTS (Caretaker) 2025 Medicaid Gross Monthly Income Limits

2025 Elderly Gross Medicaid Monthly Income Limits (65+)

How to Apply for Medicaid in 2025

Applying for Medicaid in 2025 is simple and free. You can apply any time of the year — there’s no open enrollment period.

👉 Direct answer: You apply for Medicaid by filling out a form with your income, household size, and personal details either online, by phone, by mail, or in person.

Ways to Apply

• Online
  • Go to your state’s Medicaid website.
  • Or start at HealthCare.gov and it will send your info to your state.
• By Phone
  • Call your state Medicaid office and apply over the phone.
• In Person
  • Visit your local Medicaid office, social services office, or a community health center for help.
• By Mail
  • Many states let you download a paper form, fill it out, and mail it in.

What You Need to Apply

• Proof of income (like pay stubs or tax return).
• Social Security number for each person applying.
• Proof of citizenship or immigration status.
• Household information (how many people live with you, ages, relationships).

What Happens After You Apply

• The state will check your income and details.
• You’ll get a letter or email saying if you are approved.
• If approved, you’ll get a Medicaid card in the mail to use at the doctor or pharmacy.

👉 Takeaway: In 2025, you can apply for Medicaid anytime, online or in person. Have your income and household info ready, and your state will tell you if you qualify.

What Are Medicaid Income Limits?

Medicaid income limits are the cut-off for how much money you can make and still get Medicaid health insurance.

• The limit depends on how many people live in your house.
• It uses the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), which is updated each year by the government.
• In 2025, most adults in states that expanded Medicaid can qualify if their income is at or below 138% of the FPL.
• Some people (like kids, pregnant women, seniors, and people with disabilities) may qualify even if they earn more.

👉 Simple answer: If your household income is under the Medicaid income limit for your family size, you can get Medicaid in 2025.

Who Qualifies for Medicaid in 2025?

Medicaid is for people with low income who meet certain rules. In 2025, the rules depend on your state, your income, and sometimes your age or health needs.

👉 Direct answer: You may qualify for Medicaid in 2025 if your income is below your state’s limit and you fit into one of these groups.

Main Groups That Can Get Medicaid in 2025

• Children – Most states cover kids in families with income well above the poverty line, often through CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program).
• Pregnant women – Many states cover pregnant women at higher income levels than adults without kids.
• Parents and caretakers – Some states cover parents if they live with and care for a child.
• Adults (19–64) – In expansion states, most adults qualify with income up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
• Seniors (65+) – Older adults can qualify for Medicaid if they also meet income and asset limits. Many get both Medicare and Medicaid (called “dual eligible”).
• People with disabilities – Income and asset rules may be different. Some can qualify even if income is above the usual limit through “spend-down” programs.

Quick Examples (2025)

• A single adult in California earning $20,000/year → Qualifies (expansion state, under 138% FPL).
• A family of 4 in New York earning $40,000/year → Qualifies (under 138% FPL for 4).
• A single parent in Texas earning $15,000/year → May not qualify (non-expansion state).
• A pregnant woman in Florida earning $30,000/year → Often still qualifies (higher pregnancy income limit).

Medicaid Expansion & 2025 Updates

Medicaid expansion means a state chose to cover more adults under Medicaid with incomes up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).

👉 Direct answer: As of 2025, 41 states + DC have expanded Medicaid. In those states, many adults with incomes up to ~$21,597/year (for a single person) qualify. In states that did not expand, many adults still don’t qualify even if they earn close to or above poverty level.

What’s New / Different in 2025

• The federal government reaffirmed the rule: adults up to 138% of FPL can be eligible if their state expanded.
• Some states made small changes, e.g. modifying how resources or income are counted.
• “Work requirements,” “reporting,” or periodic eligibility checks are being discussed or implemented in a few states.
• A few states that don’t have full expansion still offer limited adult coverage, but those limits are much lower.

Special Programs & Exceptions

Sometimes even if your income is above the usual limit, you might still qualify for Medicaid thanks to special rules or exceptions.

👉 Direct answer: You may still access Medicaid if you are “medically needy,” or qualify because of disability, pregnancy, or special age rules.

Main Exceptions & How They Work

• Medically Needy / Spend-Down Programs
  • If your income is over the state limit, but you have big medical bills, you can use those to reduce your “counted income.”
  • Once your medical costs push your “net income” below the limit, Medicaid covers the rest.
• Pregnancy / Newborns
  • Pregnant women often have higher income limits. Some states allow incomes up to ~190% FPL or more for them.
  • Coverage often continues for newborns after birth.
• Children
  • Children’s programs (including CHIP) often allow much higher income limits than adults.
• Seniors & Disabled
  • Different rules for seniors or people with disabilities. Some limits include not just income but also what assets (like savings, home value) you have.
• Automatic or Simplified Eligibility
  • In some states, certain people get Medicaid automatically if they already get programs like SSI or SNAP.
  • Also, some paperwork or resource counting is simplified to make applying easier.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Summary

• What it is: Medicaid income limits show how much money you can make to get Medicaid health coverage.
• Federal Poverty Level (FPL): Most states use the FPL. In expansion states, adults can qualify if they earn up to 138% of FPL (~$21,600/year for one adult in 2025).
• State rules differ: Some states cover more adults (expansion states), some cover fewer (non-expansion states).
• Household size matters: Bigger families can earn more and still qualify. Example: a family of four can make up to ~$44,400/year.
• Special groups: Pregnant women, kids, seniors, and people with disabilities may have higher limits. Some programs help if you have big medical bills.
• How to apply: Apply online, by phone, by mail, or in person. Bring income info, household info, and proof of citizenship or immigration status.
• Renewal: Most states check eligibility every year. Report changes in income or family size.

Bottom line: In 2025, Medicaid helps low-income people of all ages get health coverage. Check your state’s Medicaid website to see your limit and apply.

Author Bio:

My name is Akash Biswas. I like to read hard government rules and make them easy to understand. Many people find Medicaid and Medicare confusing, and that is okay. I want to help. I take big, hard information and break it into small, easy steps. I want every person to feel calm and sure when they read about Medicaid or Medicare.