Yes. Health insurance for DACA recipients in California is available primarily through Medi-Cal, the state’s Medicaid program, which covers low-income residents regardless of immigration status. The most important thing to know right now: if you aren’t already enrolled, apply before January 1, 2026, or you’ll be locked out of full-scope coverage. Employer plans, plans bought directly from insurers, student health plans, and community clinics fill in the gaps for people who don’t qualify for Medi-Cal.
Medi-Cal Is the Main Option
California ties Medi-Cal eligibility to income and state residency, not to the federal definition of lawful presence. The Department of Health Care Services has confirmed that DACA recipients continue to qualify for state-funded, full-scope Medi-Cal as long as they meet the program’s other requirements.1Department of Health Care Services. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals FAQ Full-scope coverage includes doctor visits, prescriptions, hospital care, mental health services, dental, and vision.
Who Qualifies by Income
Adults aged 19 through 64 qualify for full-scope Medi-Cal if their household income is at or below 138% of the Federal Poverty Level. For 2026, that is $22,025 per year for a single adult, and the limit rises with household size.2Covered California. Program Eligibility by Federal Poverty Level for 2026 Children and pregnant individuals have higher income ceilings, so if your household is mixed, check each person separately.
The January 1, 2026 Cutoff
This is the deadline that drives everything else. Starting January 1, 2026, adults with unsatisfactory immigration status who apply for Medi-Cal for the first time will receive only restricted-scope coverage, which pays for emergencies and pregnancy-related services and nothing more.3Department of Health Care Services. Important Medi-Cal Changes For Some Adult Immigrants If you are already enrolled in full-scope Medi-Cal before that date, your benefits continue as long as you remain otherwise eligible. If you aren’t, apply now.
How to Apply
The fastest route is online through BenefitsCal, the state’s benefits portal. Expect to spend 30 to 60 minutes on the application, and no interview is required.4BenefitsCal. How to Apply for Benefits You can also apply in person at your county social services office. Have these documents on hand:
- Proof of California residency, such as a utility bill or lease showing your address.
- Your DACA approval notice (Form I-797 from USCIS).5U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Form I-797 Types and Functions
- Proof of income, such as recent pay stubs, a tax return, or an employer letter.
You don’t need every document uploaded at submission. BenefitsCal will tell you what else the county needs after reviewing your application.
Covered California Is No Longer Available
A federal rule change in June 2025 removed DACA recipients from the ACA’s definition of “lawfully present,” and Covered California terminated coverage for affected enrollees on August 31, 2025.6Covered California. Covered California Offers Information and Resources for DACA Recipients No Longer Eligible for Affordable Care Act Coverage The federal Premium Tax Credits and Cost-Sharing Reductions that made marketplace plans affordable are gone with it, because both subsidies require lawful presence under the ACA.7Covered California. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) If your income qualifies you for Medi-Cal, that program replaces what the marketplace would have offered. If your income is too high for Medi-Cal, you’ll need one of the options below.
Other Ways to Get Covered
Employer-Sponsored Insurance
If your job offers health benefits, this is usually the simplest path. Employer plans are not subject to the “lawfully present” requirement that blocks marketplace access, and DACA recipients with valid work authorization can enroll during the employer’s open enrollment period. Cost depends on how your employer structures its benefits. Ask HR for the Summary of Benefits and Coverage document to see what you’d actually pay.
Plans Bought Directly From an Insurer
You can buy a health plan straight from an insurance company, outside the Covered California marketplace. Covered California confirms that DACA recipients can enroll directly through an insurer.8Covered California. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) FAQ These off-exchange plans offer the same essential benefits as marketplace plans. The drawback is cost: no subsidies apply, so you pay the full premium. Compare quotes from several insurers before committing.
Student Health Plans
If you’re enrolled at a California college or university, the campus likely offers a student health plan at a lower price than individual market coverage. Many UC and CSU campuses enroll students automatically and let you waive coverage if you already have a comparable plan. Check with your campus health center for details and deadlines.
Community Health Centers and County Programs
Federally Qualified Health Centers operate across California and must see patients regardless of insurance or ability to pay. They use a sliding fee schedule tied to income: patients at or below 100% of the federal poverty level get a full discount, and discounts phase out at 200% of poverty.9Health Resources & Services Administration. Chapter 9: Sliding Fee Discount Program These centers provide primary care, preventive services, dental, and behavioral health.
Many counties also run their own programs for uninsured residents, including Healthy San Francisco, the Health Program of Alameda County, and the County Medical Services Program covering 35 smaller counties. Rules and services differ by county, so contact your local health services department to see what’s offered where you live.
The California Tax Penalty for Going Uninsured
California has its own individual mandate, and residents without coverage can owe a tax penalty. For the 2025 tax year (filed in spring 2026), the penalty is the higher of $950 per adult and $475 per child, or 2.5% of household income above the filing threshold, capped at the cost of an average bronze plan.10State of California Franchise Tax Board. Health Care Mandate For 2026, the monthly cap is based on an average bronze premium of $420 per individual.11Covered California. 2026 Individual Shared Responsibility Penalty Calculation
Several exemptions may apply. The Franchise Tax Board lists an exemption for “certain non-citizens who are not lawfully present,” which could cover DACA recipients given how federal rules now classify them. Other exemptions include income below the filing threshold, unaffordable coverage, and short coverage gaps of three consecutive months or less. Exemptions are claimed on Form FTB 3853 with your California return, and a tax professional familiar with immigration-related filings can help identify the right code for your situation.
Protecting Your Coverage at DACA Renewal
Medi-Cal eligibility depends on meeting program requirements, and your DACA approval is part of what establishes your status. If your DACA lapses because of a delayed renewal, your Medi-Cal benefits can be affected. File your DACA renewal well before your current authorization expires, and keep copies of every USCIS notice. If a gap does happen, contact your county Medi-Cal office right away. You may still qualify for restricted-scope emergency and pregnancy-related coverage during the gap.