Texas Medicaid covers different groups with different income limits

Texas Medicaid is not one program with one income limit. The state runs separate tracks for children, pregnant people, parents, seniors, and people with disabilities — each with its own income threshold and rules. A single adult with no children almost never qualifies in Texas unless they are over 65, blind, or disabled. A parent of two children might may have access to at a higher income than a childless adult. A pregnant person has a different cutoff than the same person would have after giving birth.

Texas uses Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) to calculate whether you fall under the limit. This is roughly your household income before taxes, with some deductions removed. The state counts income from wages, self-employment, Social Security, unemployment, and most other sources. It does not count certain things: Supplemental Security Income (SSI), child support you receive, or some tribal payments.

Income limits change yearly. The figures below are for 2024, but you should confirm the current year's limits when you apply, because they shift with federal poverty guidelines.

Key Takeaways

  • Texas Medicaid has separate income limits for children, pregnant people, parents, seniors, and people with disabilities — you may may have access to under one category but not another.
  • A single adult under 65 with no disability almost never qualifies for Texas Medicaid, regardless of income.
  • Income is calculated using MAGI, which includes wages, self-employment income, and most benefits, but excludes SSI and some other payments.
  • You must live in Texas, be a U.S. citizen or may have access to immigrant, and meet the income and category rules to be considered.
  • The fastest way to learn your specific status is to start an application through Your Texas Benefits (YTB) or call 211 for a local referral.

Income limits for children and teens

Texas covers children under 19 at 200% of the federal poverty level. For 2024, that means a child in a household of one can have up to about $28,000 in annual income; a household of four can have up to about $57,000. These limits are higher than for adults because the state prioritizes child coverage.

Children do not have to be born in Texas or be citizens — they only need to live in the state and meet the income test. If a child's parents earn too much, the child may still may have access to on their own. If a child receives SSI (Supplemental Security Income), they are automatically covered by Medicaid in Texas and do not need to pass an income test.

Income limits for pregnant people and new mothers

Texas covers pregnant people and people up to 60 days after delivery at 200% of the federal poverty level — the same threshold as children. For a household of one, that is roughly $28,000 per year in 2024. This coverage begins as soon as pregnancy is confirmed and continues through the postpartum period, even if income rises during that time.

After the 60-day postpartum window closes, coverage ends unless the person qualifies under another category (such as parent of a dependent child). This is a hard cutoff, so if you are pregnant or recently gave birth, applying now protects you through that window.

Income limits for parents and caretakers

Texas covers parents and caretakers of children under 19, but only at 19% of the federal poverty level — one of the lowest rates in the country. For a household of three (one adult and two children), the 2024 limit is roughly $4,100 per month or $49,000 per year. For a household of four, it is roughly $5,000 per month or $60,000 per year.

This means most working parents in Texas do not may have access to. A parent earning minimum wage at full-time hours will exceed the limit. You must be the legal guardian or caretaker of a child under 19 living in your home. Grandparents raising grandchildren, aunts raising nieces, and other relatives can may have access to if they are the primary caretaker and meet the income test.

Income limits for seniors and people with disabilities

Texas covers people 65 and older and people who receive SSI (Supplemental Security Income) or SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) at 100% of the federal poverty level. For 2024, a single person can have up to roughly $14,000 per year; a couple can have up to roughly $18,700 per year. These limits are much lower than for children or pregnant people.

If you receive SSI, you are automatically enrolled in Medicaid — you do not have to apply separately. If you receive SSDI, you must still apply and pass the income and resource tests, but your SSDI income is counted differently than other income. Some SSDI recipients who would fail the income test may still may have access to because of how SSDI is treated in the calculation.

Citizenship and residency requirements

You must be a U.S. citizen or a may have access to immigrant to receive Medicaid in Texas. may have access to immigrants include people with a green card, refugees, asylees, people granted withholding of removal, and certain other statuses. You must provide proof of citizenship or immigration status when you apply — a passport, birth certificate, green card, or other document the state accepts.

You must also live in Texas. The state does not require you to have lived there for any minimum time, but you must be physically present and intend to stay. If you are homeless, you can still apply — the state accepts a shelter address, a friend's address, or a general delivery address at a post office.

Resource limits and other rules

Texas Medicaid has resource limits for seniors and people with disabilities, but not for children, pregnant people, or parents. A single person can have up to $2,000 in countable resources; a couple can have up to $3,000. Resources include bank accounts, stocks, and property you own — but not your home, your car (usually), or certain retirement accounts.

You cannot be claimed as a dependent on someone else's tax return to may have access to. If you are a student, you may still may have access to if you meet the income and category tests. If you are in prison or a state hospital, you do not may have access to. If you are in a nursing home or long-term care facility, you may may have access to under a different set of rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get Medicaid in Texas if I am a single adult with no kids or disabilities?

Not unless you are 65 or older, blind, or have a disability that qualifies you for SSI or SSDI. Texas does not cover able-bodied childless adults under its regular Medicaid program, regardless of income. You may be able to purchase coverage through the federal marketplace instead.

What counts as income for the Medicaid test?

Wages, self-employment income, Social Security, unemployment benefits, pensions, and most other regular income count. SSI does not count. Child support you receive does not count. Some tribal payments do not count. When you apply, the state will ask for recent pay stubs, tax returns, and proof of any benefits you receive.

If I get SSDI, do I automatically get Medicaid?

No — SSDI recipients must apply and pass the income and resource tests. However, SSDI is counted differently than other income, and some SSDI recipients who would fail the test under regular rules may still may have access to. If you receive SSI instead, you are automatically enrolled and do not need to apply separately.

Can I apply if I am not a citizen?

Only if you are a may have access to immigrant — someone with a green card, refugee status, asylee status, or certain other immigration statuses. You will need to provide proof of your status. Undocumented immigrants do not may have access to for regular Medicaid in Texas, though some may be able to access emergency services.

How long does it take to learn about I may have access to?

The state has 45 days to make a decision from the date you submit a complete application. In practice, many decisions come faster — sometimes within two weeks — but you should not count on it. You can apply through Your Texas Benefits (YTB) online, by phone, by mail, or in person at a local office.