What is the maximum income you can make for Medi-Cal?

Exceeding income limits, having excess assets (for seniors and disabled individuals), or failing to live in California will disqualify you from Medi-Cal.

Income Limits

• Your household income must stay below specific federal poverty level guidelines.
• Most regular programs use modified adjusted gross income.
• Earning too much money during annual renewals ends your free or low-cost coverage.

Asset and Resource Limits

• Seniors (age 65+) and disabled individuals face a resource limit.
• The asset limit is $130,000 for a single person and $195,000 for a couple, with $65,000 added for each extra household member.
• Primary homes and cars do not count toward this total.

Residency and Documentation

• You must be a resident of California.
• Moving out of state means you lose eligibility.
• Failing to respond to annual renewal notices or failing to provide requested income and asset proofs will also cause a cancellation.

Immigration Status Rules

• New enrollments for undocumented adults (ages 19 and older) were paused starting January 1, 2026.
• Existing undocumented recipients can keep their coverage if they complete annual renewals.

Yes, you can get Medi-Cal if you have money in the bank, but the rules depend on your age, health status, and household income.

For Most Adults (Under Age 65)

If you are under 65, not disabled, and not in a nursing home, your bank account balance and savings do not matter. California does not count bank accounts, cash, or other assets for general Medi-Cal eligibility. Only your monthly income counts.

For Seniors (65+), People with Disabilities, or Long-Term Care

If you are 65 or older, have a disability, or need nursing home care, Medi-Cal does count your bank accounts and cash.

• Single person limit: Your total assets must be under $130,000.
• Extra household members: You get an extra $65,000 in asset limit for each additional person in your home.
• You can learn more about these rules directly through the Department of Health Care Services.

What Else Matters?

• Income limits: Even if your bank savings are allowed, your monthly income (such as a job, social security, or a pension) must still stay below the program limit.
• Exempt property: Your primary home and one car do not count toward your asset limit.

Yes, some people will face a loss of Medi-Cal coverage in 2026 due to newly implemented federal restrictions and reinstated state rules.

Who is at Risk of Losing Coverage

• Certain Immigrant Populations: Starting October 1, 2026, federal changes narrow the definition of qualified non-citizens for federal Medicaid funding, impacting certain refugees, asylees, and humanitarian parolees (though California provides a bridge of state-funded coverage for some groups through June 30, 2027).
• Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities: Effective January 1, 2026, California reinstated the asset limit test ($130,000 for an individual; $195,000 for a couple) for non-MAGI programs like long-term care. Those exceeding these countable property limits during their 2026 annual renewals will lose eligibility unless they reduce their assets.
• People Who Miss Renewal Deadlines: Regular checks and stricter administrative renewal requirements mean that failure to return paperwork on time can result in canceled coverage.

Exempt Groups Who Will Keep Medi-Cal

• Children ages 0–18
• Pregnant and postpartum individuals
• Current and former foster youth under age 26

You can read official updates and guidance directly from the California Department of Health Care Services.

Most adults in California qualify for free Medi-Cal if their household income is at or below 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), which is about $22,025 per year for a single person and $45,540 per year for a family of four.

Medi-Cal and Covered California are linked; if your income falls below the Medi-Cal threshold, you are directed to Medi-Cal, while incomes above 138% FPL qualify for private plans through the state marketplace.

Income Limits by Household Size (138% FPL)

• 1 person: Up to $22,025 per year ($1,836/month)
• 2 people: Up to $29,840 per year ($2,487/month approx)
• 3 people: Up to $37,660 per year ($3,138/month approx)
• 4 people: Up to $45,540 per year ($3,795/month approx)

Limits for Children and Pregnant Individuals

• Children (under age 19): Qualify up to 266% FPL (about $41,629 for a single person/child household up to much higher amounts for families).
• Pregnant individuals: Qualify up to 213% FPL for standard no-cost Medi-Cal, with higher tiers available through specialized programs like the Medi-Cal Access Program (MCAP) up to 322% FPL.

You can check your exact household eligibility using the Covered California Official Site or read more through the Department of Health Care Services.

You qualify for premium-free Medicare Part A if you are a U.S. citizen or legal resident for at least five years and you (or your spouse) have worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years (40 quarters).

However, Medicare itself is a federal program and is never entirely "free" (Part B always requires a monthly premium unless covered by assistance). In California, low-income residents can get help paying for Medicare premiums, deductibles, and copayments through Medi-Cal and Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs).

Who Qualifies for Free or Low-Cost Medicare Assistance in California

• Seniors & Individuals with Disabilities: People aged 65 or older, or younger than 65 with a qualifying disability, who meet specific income guidelines.
• Income Limits: Individual monthly or annual income below specific thresholds (for instance, individual Medicare Savings Programs income eligibility is generally under $22,025 per year).
• Asset Limits: Liquid resources and assets must be at or below $130,000 for an individual and $195,000 for a couple.
• SSI Recipients: Californians who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and are eligible for Part A are automatically enrolled in Medicare cost-saving assistance like the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program.