Medicaid may be able to access depends on your income, household size, assets, and which state you live in

Medicaid is not one national program with one set of rules. Each state runs its own Medicaid program within federal guidelines, which means the income limit in one state may be different from the limit in another. Generally, you must have income below a certain threshold and assets below a certain amount, but those thresholds vary. Some states have expanded Medicaid to cover more people; others have not. Your state of residence is the first thing that determines whether you can participate.

The second factor is your household income. Medicaid measures income as a percentage of the federal poverty line. In 2024, the federal poverty line for a single person is around $14,600 per year, and for a family of four around $30,000 per year — but these figures change annually. Most states set their Medicaid income limit somewhere between 100% and 200% of the poverty line, though some go higher or lower. You will need to know your gross household income (before taxes) and your household size to see where you fall.

The third factor is assets. Medicaid has asset limits — the total amount of money and property you can own and still be may be able to access. These limits vary by state and by category (for example, Medicaid for children often has higher asset limits than Medicaid for adults). Your home and one vehicle are usually not counted as assets, but savings accounts, investment accounts, and other property are.

Key Takeaways

  • Income limits and asset limits are set by your state, not by the federal government, so you must check your state's specific rules.
  • Medicaid measures income as a percentage of the federal poverty line, which changes each year and depends on your household size.
  • Your home and one vehicle typically do not count toward asset limits, but cash savings and investments do.
  • Some states have expanded Medicaid to cover adults earning up to 138% of the poverty line; others have not expanded and have lower limits.
  • You can find your state's current income and asset limits on your state health department website or by calling your local Medicaid office.

How income is counted and what counts as household size

Medicaid counts gross income — the money you earn before taxes, deductions, or withholdings. This includes wages, self-employment income, Social Security, unemployment benefits, child support, and some other sources. It does not include certain things like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or some types of assistance, but the rules are specific to each income source.

Household size includes you, your spouse if you are married, and any children under 19 who live with you and are claimed as dependents. Some states count other relatives; others do not. If you are self-employed or have irregular income, Medicaid typically averages your income over the past three months or uses your most recent tax return. If your income changes significantly — you lose a job, get a raise, or have a major life change — you should report it to your state Medicaid office, because your may be able to access may change.

Asset limits and what property counts

Asset limits are the total amount of money and property you can own. These limits differ by state and sometimes by age or category. For example, a state might set the asset limit for a single adult at $2,000 and for a couple at $3,000, but these are examples — your state's actual limits may be different. You need to check your state's current limits because they do not change often, but they are not the same everywhere.

Your primary residence (the house you live in) and one vehicle are typically excluded from the asset count, no matter their value. Excluded assets also usually include personal items like furniture and clothing, and sometimes life insurance with a low face value. Counted assets include bank accounts, savings accounts, investment accounts, stocks, bonds, and property you own but do not live in. If you are married and applying for Medicaid, some states count only your assets; others count both spouses' assets depending on the program.

Medicaid expansion and how it changed income limits

In 2014, the Affordable Care Act allowed states to expand Medicaid to cover adults earning up to 138% of the federal poverty line. As of 2024, about 40 states have adopted this expansion, and about 10 have not. If you live in an expansion state and are an adult without dependent children, you may be able to get Medicaid even if you earn more than your state's traditional limit. If you live in a non-expansion state, the income limit for adults without children is often much lower — sometimes 0% of the poverty line, meaning you must have almost no income.

This is one of the biggest differences between states. A single adult earning $18,000 per year might be may be able to access in an expansion state but not in a non-expansion state. You can find out whether your state has expanded Medicaid by visiting your state health department website or calling your local Medicaid office. The expansion status affects not just income limits but also which groups of people can get Medicaid at all.

Special rules for children, pregnant people, and seniors

Medicaid has different income and asset limits for different groups. Children often have higher income limits than adults — a state might cover children up to 200% of the poverty line while covering adults only up to 100%. Pregnant people and parents of young children may also have higher limits in some states. These higher limits exist because federal law requires states to cover certain groups, and states often set the limits higher than the minimum.

Seniors (usually age 65 and older) and people with disabilities may have different asset limits and income rules, particularly if they are receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSI has its own asset limit of $2,000 for individuals and $3,000 for couples, and Medicaid often uses the same limits for people receiving SSI. If you are a senior or have a disability, ask your local Medicaid office whether you fall under these special rules, because they can make a significant difference in your may be able to access.

How to find your state's specific income and asset limits

The fastest way to find your state's limits is to visit your state health department website and search for "Medicaid income limits" or "Medicaid asset limits." Most states publish these limits in a table or chart that shows the limit for each household size. You can also call your local Medicaid office — the phone number is usually on your state health department website — and ask what the current limits are for your household size and situation.

When you call or visit, have your household size and approximate income ready. The staff member can tell you whether you fall below the limit and what documents you will need to provide if you want to move forward. Some states also have online screening tools that ask you questions about your income and household and give you an immediate answer about whether you might be may be able to access. These tools are not official determinations, but they can give you a quick sense of where you stand.

What happens if your income or assets change

If your income or assets change after you are enrolled in Medicaid, you should report the change to your state Medicaid office. Most states allow you to report changes online, by phone, or by mail. If your income increases above the limit, your Medicaid coverage will end, usually at the end of the month in which you reported the change. If your income decreases, you may become may be able to access if you were not before, or you may stay may be able to access if you already were.

Some states have a "continuous enrollment" rule that keeps you on Medicaid for a certain period even if your income goes up, so you do not lose coverage immediately. Other states end coverage right away. Ask your state Medicaid office what the rules are in your state. If you do not report a change and your income is actually above the limit, the state may ask you to repay benefits you received while ineligible, though this is less common than it used to be.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my spouse's income count if I am applying for Medicaid?

It depends on your state and your situation. If you are married and applying together, both spouses' income counts toward the household total. If you are applying alone, your spouse's income may or may not count depending on your state's rules and whether you file taxes jointly. Call your state Medicaid office with your specific situation to get a clear answer.

What if I am self-employed or have irregular income?

Medicaid typically averages your income over the past three months or uses your most recent tax return to determine your income. If your income is very irregular — you have months with high earnings and months with none — ask your Medicaid office how they will calculate your average. Bring recent pay stubs or tax documents to show what you actually earn.

Can I have a savings account and still get Medicaid?

Yes, as long as your total assets stay below your state's limit. If your state's asset limit is $2,000, you can have a savings account with money in it as long as the total does not exceed $2,000. Your home and one vehicle do not count, so you can own those without affecting your may be able to access.

Do I lose Medicaid if I get a job or a raise?

If your income goes above your state's limit, your Medicaid coverage will end. However, some states have earned income disregards or other rules that let you keep some of your work income without losing coverage. Also, if you lose Medicaid because of income, you may be able to get coverage through your employer's health plan or through the health insurance marketplace. Ask your Medicaid office what happens in your state.

How do I know if my state expanded Medicaid?

Visit your state health department website and search for "Medicaid expansion," or call your local Medicaid office and ask directly. They can tell you whether your state covers adults without dependent children and what the income limit is. This is one of the most important factors in determining your may be able to access.