How much you can earn and still get Medicaid in South Carolina

South Carolina Medicaid has different income limits depending on which program you're trying to join. For most adults, the limit is 138% of the federal poverty level — about $1,967 per month for a single person in 2024, though this changes yearly. Children, pregnant people, seniors, and people with disabilities often have higher limits or different rules altogether. The program you may have access to for depends on your age, health status, family size, and whether you're pregnant or disabled.

Income limits are not the only factor. South Carolina also counts your resources (savings, property, vehicles) for some programs, and the state has specific rules about what counts as income. A job that pays above the limit might still may have access to you if certain deductions apply, or you might may have access to for a different program with a higher threshold.

Key Takeaways

  • Standard adult Medicaid in South Carolina covers people earning up to 138% of federal poverty level, roughly $1,967 monthly for one person.
  • Children can earn more — up to 211% of poverty level — and pregnant people have their own higher income threshold.
  • Seniors and people with disabilities may may have access to through different programs with separate income and resource limits.
  • Your actual income limit depends on family size, and the state counts certain deductions that can lower your countable income.

Income limits for working-age adults

If you're between 19 and 64 and not pregnant or disabled, South Carolina's standard Medicaid program covers you if your income is at or below 138% of the federal poverty level. For a single person, that's roughly $1,967 per month. For a family of three, it's around $4,163 per month. These figures update each year in January when the federal poverty guidelines change.

The state counts gross income before taxes, but certain earnings don't count. If you're self-employed, you can deduct business expenses. If you receive child support, some of it may not count toward your income limit. Work-related expenses for people with disabilities are also deductible in some cases. You'll need to report your actual income and provide recent pay stubs or tax returns to verify it.

Income limits for children and pregnant people

Children under 19 have a much higher income limit: 211% of the federal poverty level. That means a child in a household earning around $4,500 per month (for a family of three) can still may have access to. This higher threshold exists because South Carolina's Medicaid program for children is more generous than the adult program.

Pregnant people may have access to at 211% of poverty level as well, the same as children. Once you give birth, your income limit drops to the standard adult level (138%) unless you're caring for a child under 19, in which case you may stay on the higher threshold. Pregnancy-related coverage typically continues for 60 days after the pregnancy ends, even if your income changes.

Income limits for seniors and people with disabilities

If you're 65 or older, or if you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you may may have access to through a different Medicaid pathway. The income limit for seniors and people receiving SSI is much lower — around $943 per month for a single person — but these programs also count resources differently and may have different rules about what income counts.

People receiving SSDI have a slightly higher income limit. If you're on SSDI, you can earn up to the substantial gainful activity (SGA) limit set by Social Security, which is higher than the SSI limit. Some people on SSDI also may have access to for a "Medicaid Buy-In" program that allows higher earnings while keeping coverage. You'll need to contact the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services to learn which program fits your situation.

How South Carolina counts income and resources

Not all money counts as income for Medicaid purposes. South Carolina excludes certain types of earnings: the first $65 per month of any income, plus half of remaining earnings, don't count if you're working. Some benefits don't count at all — for example, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and certain tax credits are excluded. Gifts and loans also typically don't count as income.

For programs that check resources (mainly seniors and people with disabilities), South Carolina allows you to own a home and one vehicle without it affecting your coverage. You can also keep up to $2,000 in savings as a single person, or $3,000 if you're married. Amounts above that may disqualify you or reduce your benefits. Working-age adults on standard Medicaid don't have a resource limit, so savings don't matter.

What happens if your income changes

If you're already on Medicaid and your income rises above the limit, you have a grace period before coverage ends. South Carolina allows a one-month grace period for most programs, meaning you can earn over the limit for one month without losing coverage. If you stay over the limit into the next month, your coverage will end, though you can reapply if your income drops again.

If your income drops, you can report the change and your coverage will adjust. You don't have to wait for your annual renewal. Report changes to the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services through their online portal, by phone, or by mail. Keep records of income changes — pay stubs, letters from employers, or tax documents — because the state will ask for proof.

How to find your exact income limit

Income limits change every January, so the numbers in this article may shift. The fastest way to learn your specific limit is to contact the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services directly at 1-888-549-0820. They can tell you the current limit for your household size and situation. You can also visit the state's Medicaid website, which publishes updated income guidelines each year.

If you're unsure whether you may have access to, you can start the process without applying formally. Many people call first to ask whether their income fits, and the state can give you a quick answer. If you're close to the limit, it's worth calling — deductions and the way the state counts income can sometimes make the difference between may have access to and not.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my spouse's income count if we're married?

Yes, for most Medicaid programs in South Carolina, household income includes both spouses' earnings. If you're applying as a couple, the state adds both incomes together and compares the total to the limit for a household of two. If one spouse is over the limit but the other isn't, you may still may have access to through a different program or pathway.

What if I'm self-employed or have irregular income?

Self-employed income is counted, but you can deduct business expenses. South Carolina typically looks at your income over the past three months to average it out, so a single high-earning month won't automatically disqualify you. Bring your tax return and recent business records to show your actual average earnings.

Can I get Medicaid if I'm working part-time and earn just over the limit?

Possibly. South Carolina excludes the first $65 of monthly earnings plus half of anything above that. If you earn $2,100 per month, only about $1,017.50 counts as income. This work incentive can push you under the limit even if your gross pay is higher. Contact the state to calculate your countable income.

Do student loans or financial aid count as income?

No. Student loans and financial aid are not counted as income for Medicaid purposes. Scholarships and grants also don't count. If you have a job while in school, only your job income counts toward the limit.

What if my income is seasonal or changes month to month?

South Carolina typically averages your income over three months to account for seasonal work. If you have months with no income and months with higher income, the state looks at the average. Bring documentation of your typical earnings pattern — pay stubs from multiple months or a letter from your employer explaining the seasonal nature of the work.