Florida Medicaid has income and asset limits that vary by age and family situation

Florida Medicaid covers people whose income and resources fall below state thresholds. The limits change depending on whether you are applying as a child, parent, pregnant person, elderly adult, or person with a disability. Income is measured as gross monthly earnings before taxes. Assets include bank accounts, vehicles, and property — though your home and one car usually do not count against the limit.

Florida uses Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) to calculate may be able to access for most groups. This means the state looks at your federal tax return income, not what you actually take home. For elderly and disabled adults, Florida uses a different method called SSI-related rules, which can be more generous on assets but stricter on income in some cases.

The state updates income limits each year in January. You can find the current limits on the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) website, or call your county's Medicaid office to ask what the threshold is for your situation right now.

Key Takeaways

  • Florida Medicaid income limits depend on your age, family size, and whether you are pregnant, disabled, or caring for children — there is no single number that applies to everyone.
  • You must report your income, assets, household size, and citizenship or immigration status when you apply; the state verifies income through tax records and employment databases.
  • Children in Florida often have higher income limits than adults, and pregnant people have their own threshold separate from the parent limit.
  • You can apply online through Florida CONNECT, by mail, in person at your county office, or by phone; processing usually takes 30 to 45 days.
  • If you are denied, you have the right to request a hearing within 90 days and can bring documents or a representative to explain your situation.

Income limits for children, parents, and pregnant people

Florida Medicaid for children under 19 covers families with income up to about 200% of the federal poverty level, though the exact amount changes yearly. A family of three with a child might have a limit around $4,200 per month gross income, but you should verify the current number with DCF because it shifts annually.

Parents and caretaker relatives have a lower income limit — typically around 19% to 23% of the federal poverty level depending on family size. This means a parent of two children might be limited to roughly $500 per month gross income. This low threshold is why many working parents do not meet the income test, even if they earn modest wages.

Pregnant people in Florida have their own income category, usually set higher than the parent limit but lower than the child limit. Pregnancy coverage typically extends through 60 days after delivery, after which the person must reapply under the parent or adult category if they remain income-may be able to access.

Income and asset rules for elderly and disabled adults

Florida Medicaid for people aged 65 and older, and for working-age adults with disabilities, uses SSI-related income and asset limits. The income limit is usually around $1,150 per month for a single person, though some income is excluded — for example, the first $65 of earned income per month does not count, and certain work incentives allow higher earnings for people with disabilities.

Asset limits for elderly and disabled adults are $2,000 for a single person and $3,000 for a couple. This includes savings, checking accounts, stocks, and bonds. Your home, one vehicle, and personal items do not count. Burial plots and life insurance with a face value under $1,500 are also excluded. If you are over the asset limit, you may be able to spend down by paying medical bills or making home repairs, though you should ask your caseworker what counts before you spend the money.

Some elderly and disabled adults also meet the income test but have too much in assets. In that case, you might be able to set up a Special Needs Trust to hold assets without disqualifying you, though this requires legal help and is not available in all situations.

Citizenship and immigration status requirements

You must be a U.S. citizen or a may have access to immigrant to receive Florida Medicaid. may have access to immigrants include lawful permanent residents (green card holders), refugees, asylees, and certain other immigration statuses. You will need to provide proof — usually a birth certificate for citizens, or a green card, refugee document, or asylum approval letter for immigrants.

Undocumented immigrants do not meet the citizenship requirement for regular Medicaid. However, Florida does cover emergency medical services for undocumented people through a program called Emergency Medicaid, which pays for hospital care, emergency room visits, and dialysis when the condition is life-threatening. You still must meet the income test to receive Emergency Medicaid.

If you are a may have access to immigrant but have been in the U.S. for fewer than five years, you may not meet the standard rules. Some states cover newer immigrants through their own funds, but Florida's coverage for this group is limited. Ask your county office whether you fall into an exception.

How to report income and what documents you will need

When you apply for Florida Medicaid, you report your household's gross monthly income — that is, earnings before taxes and deductions. Include wages from employment, self-employment income, Social Security, pensions, unemployment benefits, child support, and any other regular money coming in. Do not subtract rent, utilities, or other expenses; the state only looks at what comes in.

The state verifies income through the Federal Data Services Hub, which connects to IRS tax records, Social Security Administration databases, and employment verification systems. This means you do not always need to bring pay stubs, though having them helps if there is a mismatch. If you are self-employed or have irregular income, bring tax returns and recent bank statements showing deposits.

You will also need to report assets. Bring statements from all bank accounts, investment accounts, and retirement accounts (even if you cannot withdraw from them yet). If you own a vehicle, provide the registration. For your home, you only need to confirm you own it — the value does not count against the limit.

The application process and timeline in Florida

You can apply for Florida Medicaid through Florida CONNECT, the state's online portal at myflorida.gov/connect. You can also apply by mail, in person at your county Department of Children and Families office, or by calling 1-866-762-2237. The phone line can answer questions and mail you an application, but you cannot complete the full application by phone alone.

Processing usually takes 30 to 45 days from the date the state receives your complete application. If you are pregnant or applying for a child, the state may process faster — sometimes within 7 to 10 days. If the state needs more information, it will send you a notice asking for documents by a certain date. If you do not respond, your application will be denied, but you can reapply.

Once you are approved, your coverage starts on the first day of the month in which you applied, or sometimes retroactively to cover medical bills from the three months before you applied. Your Medicaid card will arrive by mail within two weeks. You must report changes in income, household size, or address within 30 days, or your coverage could end.

What to do if you are denied or lose coverage

If your application is denied, the state will send you a written notice explaining why. Common reasons include income over the limit, missing documents, or not meeting citizenship requirements. You have the right to request a fair hearing within 90 days of the denial notice. At a hearing, you can present documents, explain your situation, and bring a representative — a lawyer, advocate, or family member.

If you lose coverage because your income increased or you reported a change, you can still request a hearing if you believe the state made an error. You also have the right to continue coverage for a short time while your hearing is pending, though you must request this within 10 days of receiving the termination notice.

If you are denied or terminated, contact your county DCF office or a legal aid organization in your area. Many offer free help with Medicaid hearings. You can find a legal aid provider through the Florida Justice Center at floridajustice.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my spouse's income count if we are married but file taxes separately?

Yes. Florida counts the income of your spouse even if you file separate tax returns. The state considers you a household unit for Medicaid purposes. If your spouse has high income, it may push your household over the limit even if your own earnings are low.

Can I get Medicaid if I am working part-time?

It depends on your income and family size. Many working people do not meet Florida's income limits because the thresholds are very low — especially for parents and caretaker relatives. Children in your household may still be covered even if you are over the parent limit, since child income limits are higher. Ask your county office to run your specific numbers.

What happens if I inherit money or receive a lump sum payment?

A lump sum counts as an asset on the day you receive it. If it pushes you over the asset limit, you will lose Medicaid unless you spend it down on allowed expenses like medical bills, home repairs, or burial arrangements. You should contact your caseworker before spending the money to confirm what counts, because some expenses do not reduce your asset total.

Can I have a car and still meet the asset limit?

Yes. One vehicle does not count toward your asset limit, no matter its value. If you own more than one car, only one is excluded. The second vehicle and any others count as assets and could push you over the limit.

How do I know if my immigration status qualifies me for Medicaid?

Lawful permanent residents, refugees, asylees, and certain other statuses may have access to. Undocumented immigrants do not meet the standard requirement but may be covered for emergency medical services only. Contact your county DCF office with your immigration documents, and they can tell you whether you meet the requirement for your specific status.