Who gets approved for Medi-Cal?

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Medi-Cal provides free or low-cost health coverage for California residents who meet specific income, residency, and rules.

Basic Requirements

  • Residency: You must live in the state of California.
  • Income Limits: Most single adults qualify if household income is at or below 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), which is roughly $1,676 per month. Limits vary by family size and specific groups (such as higher thresholds for children or pregnant individuals).
  • Asset Limits: Asset rules vary by program. For seniors (65+) and disabled individuals in non-MAGI programs, asset limits are $130,000 for a single individual and $195,000 for a couple. General income-based MAGI Medi-Cal for most adults and children has no asset limit.
  • Immigration Status: You may qualify for health coverage or restricted services regardless of citizenship status, though rules differ by age group.

How to Apply

You can check your estimated eligibility or submit an application through the official Medi-Cal Qualify Tool or via Covered California.

What makes someone eligible for Medi-Cal?

You are eligible for Medi-Cal if you are a California resident with a low income that meets specific program limits.

Eligibility depends mainly on your household size, income, age, and sometimes assets. You can check your estimated eligibility or submit an application through the Department of Health Care Services or CA.gov.

Core Requirements

  • California Residency: You must live in California.
  • Income Limits (MAGI): For most adults aged 19 to 64, household income must be at or below 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Children (ages 0–19) and pregnant individuals often qualify at higher income levels, such as up to 266% FPL for children.
  • Non-MAGI Categories: Seniors (65+), people who are blind or disabled, and those needing long-term care follow different non-MAGI rules. These programs may look at property or asset limits (such as $130,000 for a single individual or $195,000 for a couple for certain programs like long-term care).
  • Automatic Qualification: Individuals who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) qualify automatically.

What will disqualify you from Medi-Cal?

Exceeding income limits, having excess assets (for seniors or people with disabilities), or failing to meet residency and renewal requirements will disqualify you from Medi-Cal.

Income Limits

  • Adults (Ages 19–64): Household income above 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) can disqualify you from free coverage, though higher earners may qualify for a "share of cost" or Covered California.
  • Aged, Blind, and Disabled: Strict monthly income caps apply depending on your specific category.

Asset Limits (Seniors 65+ and Disabled Individuals)

  • Excess Property/Cash: For non-MAGI programs (seniors and disabled individuals), countable assets over $130,000 for a single person or $195,000 for a couple will disqualify you.
  • Asset Transfers: Transferring assets for less than fair market value within the 30-month look-back period can trigger penalties and loss of long-term care coverage.

Residency and Documentation

  • State Residency: You must be a resident of California. Moving out of state permanently disqualifies you.
  • Failure to Renew: Not responding to annual eligibility checks or failing to report household changes within 10 days can result in termination.
  • Immigration Status Rules: New enrollment restrictions apply to certain undocumented adults under current state guidelines.

You can check your status or ask questions through the Medi-Cal Helpline.

What is the maximum income to qualify for Medi-Cal California?

For most adults (ages 19–64) in California, the maximum annual income to qualify for free Medi-Cal is 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), which translates to $21,597 per year ($1,800 per month) for a single person.

Income Limits by Household Size (138% FPL)

  • 1 person: $21,597 per year
  • 2 people: $29,187 per year
  • 3 people: $36,777 per year
  • 4 people: $44,367 per year
  • Add $7,590 for each additional person.

You can view the complete, official chart of limits based on household size and programs on the Department of Health Care Services Eligibility Chart.

Limits for Children and Pregnant Individuals

Income caps are higher for other groups:

  • Children (under age 19): Up to 266% of the FPL (e.g., $41,629 for a household of one).
  • Pregnant individuals: Up to 213% of the FPL.

Other Ways to Qualify

  • Higher Income / Share of Cost: If your income is above the limit, you might still qualify for Medi-Cal with a "Share of Cost" (similar to a monthly deductible).
  • Asset Limits: For most MAGI-based Medi-Cal programs, assets and savings do not count. For aged, blind, or disabled programs, asset limits are $130,000 for an individual and $195,000 for a couple.
  • Exceeding Limits: If your income is too high for Medi-Cal, you may qualify for discounted health plans and financial help through Covered California.

What is the income limit for Medi-Cal in 2026?

For most adults aged 19 to 64, the 2026 Medi-Cal income limit is 138% of the Federal Poverty Level, which is $1,800 per month ($21,597 per year) for a single person.

Income Limits by Household Size (138% FPL)

For standard MAGI-based Medi-Cal (adults, expansion groups):

  • 1 person: $1,800 / month ($21,597 / year)
  • 2 people: $2,432 / month ($29,187 / year)
  • 3 people: $3,065 / month ($36,777 / year)
  • 4 people: $3,697 / month ($44,367 / year)
  • 5 people: $4,330 / month ($51,957 / year)

You can check complete, official household charts directly through the Department of Health Care Services Eligibility Chart.

Limits for Other Groups

  • Children and Pregnant Individuals: Qualify at higher thresholds, up to 266% of the Federal Poverty Level (~$3,774/month for a single-person household).
  • Aged, Blind & Disabled (ABD): The basic non-MAGI limit sits around $1,801/month for a single individual (factoring in California's standard income disregard).
  • Working Disabled Program: Allows higher earnings up to 250% of the FPL (~$3,260/month for individuals).

What Is Medi-Cal? (Part 1)

9 related questions found

How much money can I have in the bank and still qualify for Medi-Cal?

You can have up to $130,000 in the bank for a single person and still qualify for Medi-Cal, provided you fall into specific non-MAGI categories.

Medi-Cal Asset Limits

  • One person: $130,000 limit
  • Two people / Couple: $195,000 limit ($130,000 plus $65,000 for the extra household member)
  • Additional members: Adds $65,000 per extra household member (up to a maximum of 10 people).

Who Do Asset Limits Apply To?

Asset limits do not apply to everyone. You only face this bank account check if you:

  • Are age 65 or older
  • Have a disability (physical, mental, or developmental)
  • Live in a nursing home
  • Are in a family that makes too much money to qualify under standard federal rules (non-MAGI programs).

(Note: Standard MAGI-based Medi-Cal for most children, pregnant women, and lower-income adults under 65 does not count bank accounts or assets at all.)

What Counts and What Doesn't?

  • Counted: Cash, bank accounts (checking and savings), investments, stocks, bonds, and second homes or secondary vehicles.
  • Excluded (Not Counted): Your primary home, one primary vehicle, and household goods.
  • You can check official updates and report asset details through the California Department of Health Care Services.

What if my income is too high for Medi-Cal?

If your income is too high for free Medi-Cal, you can shop for discounted private health insurance through Covered California, or qualify for Medi-Cal through a "Share of Cost" program.

Options If Your Income Is Too High

  • Covered California: This is the state’s official health insurance marketplace. If you make too much for regular Medi-Cal, you can get financial help and tax credits to lower the cost of a private plan. Losing Medi-Cal gives you a special window to sign up.
  • Share of Cost Medi-Cal: If your income is just a bit over the limit (often for seniors or people with disabilities), you might qualify for a program with a "Share of Cost". This works like a monthly deductible. You pay your own medical bills up to a certain amount each month, and then Medi-Cal pays for the rest of your care.
  • Working Disabled Program: If you have a disability and work, California lets you earn a higher income and still keep Medi-Cal, sometimes for little or no cost.
  • Deductions and Adjustments: Make sure you report all tax deductions and household changes. Certain expenses or changes in tax filing can lower your countable income to fit the limits.

Is Trump cutting Medi-Cal?

President Donald Trump's 2025 tax and budget legislation enacted federal cuts to Medicaid, which is leading to significant funding reductions and new restrictions for California's Medi-Cal program.

Impact on Medi-Cal

  • Funding Reductions: Federal legislation is projected to cut Medicaid spending by roughly $1 trillion nationally over a decade, translating to an estimated loss of around $30 billion per year for Medi-Cal in California.
  • Work and Eligibility Rules: The changes impose new 80-hour monthly work or community engagement requirements, more frequent six-month verification rules, and reduced retroactive coverage limits.
  • Coverage Loss: Policy analysts and state reports (such as those from CalMatters) estimate that millions of residents could lose coverage or face stricter qualification limits due to these federal shifts and related administrative changes.
  • Immigrant Eligibility: Federal rules have narrowed full-scope Medicaid definitions for certain non-citizens, though state adjustments have attempted temporary stopgap coverage for some impacted groups.

Further administrative actions by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) continue to roll out rules that expand these federal cuts.

Can Medi-Cal check your bank account?

Medi-Cal can check your bank account, but it depends on your age, health status, and household financial situation.

When Medi-Cal Checks Bank Accounts

  • Asset limits apply: Medi-Cal checks bank accounts and counts assets if you are 65 or older, have a disability, live in a nursing home, or are in a high-income family.
  • Assets are ignored for most: For most adults and children, Medi-Cal does not count assets or check bank accounts for general eligibility; they only check your income.
  • Asset limits in place: For groups where assets matter, the limit is $130,000 for a single person through June 30, 2027, before it changes later.
  • Electronic verification: Agencies can use electronic asset verification systems to review account balances when processing applications or renewals for those subject to asset rules.

Why would Medi-Cal be denied?

Medi-Cal can be denied because of income limits, missing documents, or failing to meet specific state eligibility rules.

Common Reasons for Denial

  • Income Over the Limit: Your household income is higher than the rules allow for your family size.
  • Asset or Resource Limits: For certain groups like seniors or people with disabilities, assets or property exceed the allowed limits.
  • Incomplete Application: Required paperwork, proof of income, or identification documents were left out or not submitted.
  • Missed Deadlines: You did not respond to requests for more information from the county welfare or Medi-Cal office in time.
  • Residency Issues: You cannot prove you live in California.
  • Lack of Cooperation: You failed to provide necessary details or cooperate with the verification process.

What You Can Do Next

If your coverage or application is denied, you receive a Notice of Action explaining why. You have the right to request a Medi-Cal Fair Hearing through the Department of Health Care Services within 90 days to challenge the decision.