Texas Medicaid has different income and household rules depending on which program you're in

Texas Medicaid is not one program — it's several, and which one you might be in depends on your age, disability status, pregnancy, or family situation. Each program has its own income limit, asset rules, and citizenship requirements. A single parent with two children faces different rules than a 65-year-old, who faces different rules than someone with a disability. Understanding which program applies to your household is the first step.

Texas uses Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) to calculate whether your household income is low enough. MAGI includes wages, self-employment income, and some other sources, but it excludes certain things like child support received or some retirement income. The income limit changes each year and varies by family size.

You do not have to be a U.S. citizen to be in Texas Medicaid, but you do have to be a lawful permanent resident, refugee, asylee, or other may have access to non-citizen status. Undocumented immigrants are not covered under regular Medicaid, though Texas does offer emergency services coverage for anyone regardless of immigration status.

Key Takeaways

  • Texas Medicaid programs have different income limits based on whether you are a parent, child, pregnant person, elderly, or disabled — you need to know which category applies to you.
  • Income is calculated using MAGI, which includes wages and self-employment but excludes child support received and some retirement income.
  • You must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, asylee, or other may have access to non-citizen — undocumented immigrants do not may have access to for regular Medicaid.
  • Texas has no asset limit for most Medicaid programs, but some programs for elderly or disabled people do count assets.
  • You report your household information through the Texas Health and Human Services portal or by mail; the state then sends a decision letter.

Income limits for parents and children in Texas

If you are a parent or caregiver of a child, your household income must be below a certain percentage of the federal poverty level. For a parent or caregiver, that limit is typically around 19% of the federal poverty level in Texas, which is one of the lowest in the nation. For a child under 19, the income limit is higher — usually around 200% of the federal poverty level, though this varies by age.

These income limits change each year on January 1st. For the current year, you can find the exact dollar amounts on the Texas Health and Human Services website by looking up the MAGI income limits table. The table shows limits by family size, so a family of three has a different limit than a family of four.

If your income is above the limit for parents but below the limit for children, your children may still be covered even if you are not. Texas counts income from all household members, including any adults living with you who contribute to household expenses.

Income and asset rules for elderly and disabled people

If you are 65 or older or have a disability, Texas Medicaid has different income and asset rules than the programs for families with children. The income limit for elderly or disabled people is typically around 75% of the federal poverty level, though some programs go higher. Unlike the family programs, these programs do count your assets — bank accounts, vehicles, and property.

For most elderly and disabled programs, you can have up to $2,000 in countable assets as a single person or $3,000 as a couple. A home you live in does not count toward this limit, and neither does one vehicle. Some assets, like life insurance and retirement accounts, may not count depending on the program.

If you are disabled and under 65, you may also be able to work and still receive Medicaid through a program called Medicaid for Workers with Disabilities. This program allows you to earn more income than the standard disabled program while keeping your coverage.

Pregnancy and postpartum coverage in Texas

If you are pregnant, Texas covers you under a separate program with a higher income limit — usually around 196% of the federal poverty level. This coverage starts as soon as you report your pregnancy and continues for 60 days after the end of your pregnancy, whether the pregnancy ends in birth, miscarriage, or abortion.

Your income is counted the same way as for other programs — using MAGI — but the higher limit means more pregnant people may have access to. You do not need to be a parent or have other children to get this coverage; pregnancy alone qualifies you if your income is low enough.

After the 60-day postpartum period ends, you will need to reapply for a different program if you want to stay covered. If you have a newborn, the child is automatically covered for one year after birth if you were covered during pregnancy.

How to report your income and household information

You report your household information through the Texas Health and Human Services portal at yourtexasbenefits.com or by mailing a paper application. Online is faster — you can submit your application and upload documents the same day. You will need to create an account, answer questions about your household size, income, and citizenship, and upload proof of income and identity.

Proof of income can be recent pay stubs, tax returns, a letter from your employer, or bank statements showing regular deposits. Proof of identity can be a driver's license, passport, or state ID. If you are applying for a child, you need proof of the child's citizenship or immigration status and proof of your relationship to the child.

After you submit your application, the state sends you a notice by mail within 30 days telling you whether you are covered, not covered, or need to send more information. If you are approved, your coverage usually starts on the first day of the month you applied or the month after, depending on when the state processes your application.

Citizenship and immigration status requirements

To be in Texas Medicaid, you must be a U.S. citizen or a may have access to non-citizen. may have access to non-citizens include lawful permanent residents (green card holders), refugees, asylees, victims of trafficking, and some other statuses. You will need to provide proof of your status — a green card, refugee letter, or other immigration document.

If you are undocumented, you do not may have access to for regular Medicaid. Texas does offer emergency services coverage for anyone, regardless of immigration status, which covers emergency room visits and emergency surgeries. Some counties also offer local programs for uninsured people, but these are not Medicaid.

If you are not sure what your immigration status is called or whether it qualifies, you can contact a local immigration legal aid organization or call 211 to ask about programs in your area. Do not let uncertainty stop you from applying — the state will tell you if your status does not may have access to.

What happens after you are approved

Once you are approved, the state mails you a Medicaid card or sends you information about how to access your coverage online. Your coverage is active on the date shown in your approval letter. You can use your coverage at any doctor, hospital, or pharmacy that accepts Medicaid in Texas.

Your coverage continues as long as you stay below the income limit and meet the other requirements for your program. The state will send you a renewal notice before your coverage ends — usually once a year. You need to respond to the renewal notice to keep your coverage active.

If your income or household changes during the year, you should report it to the state right away. If your income goes above the limit, you may lose coverage. If your income goes down or your household size changes, you may become newly covered or move to a different program.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Texas Medicaid count child support I receive?

No. Child support received is not counted as income for Medicaid purposes. However, child support you pay to someone else is not deducted from your income either. If you receive child support, report it on your application but know it will not affect whether you may have access to.

What if my income is just slightly above the limit?

If your income is above the limit, you do not may have access to for that program. Texas does not have a grace period or small overage exception. However, you may may have access to for a different program — for example, if you do not may have access to as a parent, your children might still may have access to under the child program, which has a higher limit.

Can I have a job and still get Medicaid?

Yes. Medicaid counts your income, not whether you work. If your job pays you less than the income limit for your program, you may have access to. Some programs, like Medicaid for Workers with Disabilities, are specifically designed for people who work and have a disability.

How long does it take to get approved?

The state has 30 days to make a decision on your application. If you submit everything online with all required documents, you may hear back in two to three weeks. If you mail a paper application or need to send additional documents, it may take closer to 30 days.

What if I was denied before — can I apply again?

Yes. If your situation has changed — your income went down, your household size changed, or you now may have access to for a different program — you can apply again. You should apply again if anything about your household is different from the last time you applied.