In California, children qualify for free or low-cost health coverage through Medi-Cal when the family’s income is at or below 266% of the federal poverty level. California folds federal CHIP dollars into Medi-Cal, so the CHIP income limits in California by household size are the Medi-Cal children’s limits. For 2026, that works out to about $57,563 a year for a household of two, $72,672 for three, and $87,780 for four.
2026 Income Limits for Children by Household Size
Eligibility is measured against the federal poverty level, which updates each January. Children from birth through age 18 qualify at up to 266% of the FPL.1Covered California. Program Eligibility by Federal Poverty Level for 2026 The 2026 monthly and annual ceilings:2California Department of Health Care Services. DHCS Letter 26-01 – 2026 Federal Poverty Levels
- Household of 2: $4,799 per month / $57,563 per year
- Household of 3: $6,057 per month / $72,672 per year
- Household of 4: $7,315 per month / $87,780 per year
- Household of 5: $8,576 per month / $102,889 per year
- Household of 6: $9,835 per month / $117,998 per year
For households larger than six, add about $1,524 per month ($18,290 per year) for each additional person. These figures come from the 2026 federal poverty guidelines published by the Department of Health and Human Services.3HealthCare.gov. Federal Poverty Level (FPL)
How CHIP Works Inside Medi-Cal
California does not run a separate CHIP program. Children whose family income is below 138% of the FPL are covered through the standard Medicaid portion of Medi-Cal. Children between 138% and 266% are covered using federal CHIP dollars. The distinction is invisible to families: both groups receive the same full-scope Medi-Cal benefits.4California Department of Health Care Services. Income Eligibility Comparison Chart So if you are searching for a California CHIP income chart, the Medi-Cal children’s table above is it.
Why 266% and Not a Round Number
The 266% figure already includes a built-in cushion. Under the Affordable Care Act, anyone whose eligibility is determined using MAGI-based rules gets a 5 percentage point disregard. The base standard for children is 261% of the FPL, and the disregard effectively raises it to 266%.5Medicaid.gov. With Respect to MAGI Conversion, How Will the 5% Disregard Be Applied You don’t need to do that math yourself. If your income is at or under the dollar amounts above, your child qualifies.
Higher Limits in San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara
Children living in San Francisco, San Mateo, or Santa Clara County may qualify under the County Children’s Health Initiative Program, or CCHIP. It covers children in families earning between 266% and 322% of the FPL.1Covered California. Program Eligibility by Federal Poverty Level for 2026 For a family of four in 2026, that stretches the ceiling to roughly $106,260 a year.
CCHIP carries a premium of $13 per month per child, capped at $39 per family.6Covered California. What Does Medi-Cal for Children Cost? If parents are enrolled in a Covered California plan and the children are CCHIP-eligible, the kids should go on CCHIP. Declining it means the children can only be placed on a full-cost, unsubsidized marketplace plan.7Covered California. Parents in Covered California, Kids in CCHIP
What Counts as Income
California uses Modified Adjusted Gross Income to measure eligibility. MAGI starts with the adjusted gross income from your federal tax return and adds back three items if they apply to you: non-taxable Social Security benefits, tax-exempt interest, and foreign income that isn’t taxed.8HealthCare.gov. Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) – Glossary For most families, the result is the same as or close to their AGI.
Income that counts includes wages, self-employment earnings, unemployment benefits, and retirement income. Assets are not part of the test. Savings accounts, property, vehicles, and investments do not factor in. Only income matters.
Self-Employment Income
If you are self-employed, you may be asked to verify income with a self-employment ledger. There is no required format. A spreadsheet, accounting software printout, or handwritten record of income and expenses works, as long as the information is accurate and detailed.9HealthCare.gov. Reporting Self-Employment Income to the Marketplace For MAGI, self-employment income is your net earnings after business expenses, not your gross revenue.
Whose Income Counts
The household used for MAGI follows tax filing rules. If you file jointly, both spouses’ income counts. A child claimed as a dependent on your return generally has their own income counted only if it’s high enough to require them to file a tax return. A teenager with a small part-time job typically does not move the family’s number.
Other Eligibility Requirements
Income is the main hurdle. A few other rules apply.
Age. Children qualify from birth through age 18. Coverage ends the month the child turns 19.
Residency. The child must live in California with the intent to stay. For children living with their parents, residency follows the parents. Parents who do not meet residency requirements themselves can still establish California residency for their children if they intend for the children to remain in the state.10Legal Information Institute. California Code of Regulations Title 22 Section 50320 – California Residence – General
Immigration status. California provides full-scope Medi-Cal to all income-eligible children regardless of immigration status, using state funds for those who do not qualify for federal Medicaid. Beginning January 1, 2024, California completed the expansion of full-scope Medi-Cal to all income-eligible adults as well.11California Department of Health Care Services. Ages 26 Through 49 Adult Full Scope Medi-Cal Expansion In mixed-status families, each member’s eligibility is determined individually, and applying for a child does not trigger immigration enforcement.
What Coverage Costs
For most families, children’s Medi-Cal is free. There are no monthly premiums, no deductibles, and no copays for the vast majority of services.6Covered California. What Does Medi-Cal for Children Cost? Some children in the CHIP-funded income range (138%–266% FPL) or in CCHIP may owe a $13 per child monthly fee, capped at $39 per family. The application will tell you whether any fee applies.
How to Apply
The fastest route is online through Covered California at CoveredCA.com. One application checks eligibility for both Medi-Cal and marketplace coverage, so you do not have to decide which program fits before you start.12Covered California. How Do I Apply for Medi-Cal? You can also apply through BenefitsCal.com or in person at your county human services office.13Covered California. Get Started – How to Apply
Phone applications are available at (800) 300-1506, and mail-in applications come in 11 languages. Free help from certified enrollment counselors is available in person and in multiple languages. Federal rules give states up to 45 days to process MAGI-based applications like children’s Medi-Cal.14Medicaid.gov. Ensuring Timely and Accurate Medicaid and CHIP Eligibility Determinations at Application Simple applications often move faster. If you hear nothing after 45 days, contact your county office or Covered California to check the status.