Medicaid may be able to access depends on your income, family size, age, disability status, and which state you live in

Medicaid is not one program with one set of rules. Each state runs its own version within federal guidelines, which means a person who qualifies in one state may not may have access to in another. The broadest rule: you must have income and assets below your state's limits. But "below the limit" looks different depending on whether you are a child, a parent, pregnant, elderly, or disabled — and it looks different in Texas than it does in New York.

The fastest way to know if you might may have access to is to enter your household income and state into your state Medicaid office's screening tool, or to call 211 and give them the same information. Both will give you a yes, no, or "you might may have access to — apply to find out" answer in minutes. This section explains what the main categories are and how they work.

Key Takeaways

  • Income limits vary by state and by family size, and they change each year — your state Medicaid office publishes the current numbers.
  • Children, pregnant people, parents, elderly people, and disabled people often have different income limits, with children usually having the highest limits.
  • Some states expanded Medicaid to cover adults earning up to 138% of the federal poverty line; others did not, creating a gap where some adults earn too much for Medicaid but too little for marketplace insurance.
  • Your state's Medicaid office can tell you in one conversation whether you meet the income test, whether your assets are within limits, and what documents you need to bring.

Income limits: what they are and how they work

Every state sets a maximum income for Medicaid. If your household income is above that line, you do not may have access to — with rare exceptions. The limit is expressed as a percentage of the federal poverty line, which changes each year. For 2024, the federal poverty line for a single person is roughly $14,600 per year; for a family of four, roughly $30,000. Your state then says something like "we cover people earning up to 138% of the poverty line" or "we cover people earning up to 100% of the poverty line."

Income limits also depend on family size. A single person has a lower limit than a parent with two children. Your state publishes a table showing the exact dollar amount for each family size. You can find this on your state Medicaid office's website, or you can call them and ask: "What is the income limit for a family of [your size]?" They will give you a number.

Income includes wages, self-employment earnings, Social Security, unemployment benefits, and child support. It does not include food stamps or housing assistance. Some income is excluded by rule — for example, the first $65 per month of earnings for a disabled person, or student income up to a certain amount. Your state Medicaid office can tell you whether a specific type of income counts.

Different rules for children, parents, pregnant people, and disabled people

States often set higher income limits for children than for adults. A state might cover children earning up to 200% of the poverty line but cover parents only up to 100%. This means a child in a household might may have access to for Medicaid while the parent does not. Pregnant people and newborns also usually have higher limits than other adults.

Disabled people and elderly people (usually age 65 and older) may have different rules altogether. Some states use a different income test for disabled people, and some allow more assets. If you are disabled or elderly, tell your state Medicaid office that when you contact them — they may have a separate application or a different process.

Parents' income limits vary widely by state. Some states cover parents earning up to 138% of the poverty line; others cover only those earning up to 100% or even less. This creates the "coverage gap": in states that did not expand Medicaid, a parent earning $15,000 per year might earn too much for Medicaid but too little to afford marketplace insurance even with a subsidy. Your state Medicaid office can tell you the exact limit for parents in your state.

The Medicaid expansion and why it matters where you live

In 2014, states had the option to expand Medicaid to cover more adults. About 40 states did; about 10 did not. States that expanded cover adults earning up to 138% of the poverty line. States that did not expand typically cover adults only if they are parents, disabled, elderly, or pregnant — and even then, often at lower income limits.

This means a 35-year-old with no children earning $16,000 per year might may have access to for Medicaid in an expansion state but not in a non-expansion state. If you live in a non-expansion state and do not fit into a category like "parent" or "disabled," your state Medicaid office will likely tell you that you do not may have access to, even if your income is very low. In that case, you may be able to buy insurance through the marketplace with a subsidy, or you may have no coverage option.

You can find out whether your state expanded Medicaid by searching "[your state] Medicaid expansion" or by calling your state Medicaid office and asking directly.

Asset limits and what counts as an asset

Most states set a limit on how much money and property you can own and still may have access to for Medicaid. The limit varies by state and by category. For a single person, it might be $2,000; for a couple, it might be $3,000. Some states have higher limits for elderly or disabled people.

Assets include bank accounts, savings, stocks, and vehicles. Your primary home usually does not count. A car used for work or transportation usually does not count. Retirement accounts like a 401(k) or IRA usually do not count. Your state Medicaid office can tell you what counts in your state and what the current limit is.

If your income is below the limit but your assets are above it, you do not may have access to — unless you are elderly or disabled, in which case some states have different rules. Ask your state Medicaid office whether your assets disqualify you, and whether there are any exceptions for your situation.

Citizenship and immigration status requirements

You must be a U.S. citizen or a may have access to immigrant to get Medicaid. may have access to immigrants include people with a green card, people granted asylum, people with temporary protected status, and certain other categories. Undocumented immigrants do not may have access to for regular Medicaid in most states, though some states cover emergency services or pregnancy-related care regardless of status.

When you apply, you will need to provide proof of citizenship or immigration status — usually a birth certificate, passport, green card, or asylum grant letter. If you are unsure whether your status qualifies, ask your state Medicaid office before you apply. They can tell you whether you are a may have access to immigrant under federal rules.

How to find out your state's specific rules

Because rules vary by state, the only way to know whether you may have access to is to contact your state Medicaid office or use your state's online screening tool. You can find your state office by searching "[your state] Medicaid" or by calling 211 and asking for a Medicaid referral.

When you contact them, have ready: your household income (or a recent pay stub), your family size, your age, and whether anyone in your household is disabled or pregnant. They can tell you in one call whether you meet the income test and what documents you need to bring if you want to apply.

Some states also have online tools where you enter your information and get an instant answer. These tools are usually on your state Medicaid office's website under "Check may be able to access" or "Screening Tool." Using the tool does not start an application — it just tells you whether you might may have access to.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my income have to be exactly at or below the limit, or can it be slightly over?

It must be at or below the limit your state sets. There is no "slightly over" — if the limit is $1,500 per month and you earn $1,501, you do not may have access to under the income test. However, some states have special rules for certain groups, like disabled people, so ask your state office whether an exception applies to you.

If I get a job and my income goes above the limit, do I lose Medicaid immediately?

No. Most states have a process called "continuous may be able to access" where you stay covered for a set period — often 12 months — even if your income rises. After that period ends, your coverage is reviewed. Ask your state Medicaid office what the continuous may be able to access period is in your state.

What if my income changes every month because I work irregular hours?

Your state Medicaid office will average your income over a period — usually the past three months or the past year — to determine whether you may have access to. Bring recent pay stubs or tax records showing your typical earnings. If your income is borderline, ask them how they calculate it for someone with variable income.

Can I have a job and still may have access to for Medicaid?

Yes. Medicaid is based on income level, not employment status. Many people who work part-time or earn low wages may have access to. Some states also have work incentive programs for disabled people that let you earn more and still keep Medicaid.

Do I have to be unemployed to may have access to?

No. You may have access to based on income, not on whether you are employed. If you work and your income is below your state's limit, you may have access to. If you are unemployed and your income (from unemployment benefits, Social Security, or other sources) is below the limit, you also may have access to.