To qualify for Medi-Cal in California, you need to live in the state and have household income at or below the limit for your eligibility category. For most adults under 65, that limit is 138 percent of the federal poverty level, which works out to about $1,835 a month for one person or $3,795 a month for a family of four in 2026.1U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 2026 Poverty Guidelines Children, pregnant individuals, seniors, and people with disabilities qualify under different rules, and assets are counted only for some groups.
Residency and Immigration Status
You must live in California and intend to stay, either permanently or indefinitely.2Cornell Law School. California Code of Regulations Title 22, 50320 – California Residence – General Moving here for a job or to look for one counts. You do not need a fixed address; people experiencing homelessness qualify as long as they are physically present in California.
Immigration status is not a barrier. Since January 1, 2024, California has offered full-scope Medi-Cal to all income-eligible adults aged 26 through 49 regardless of immigration status.3Department of Health Care Services. Ages 26 Through 49 Adult Full Scope Medi-Cal Expansion With earlier expansions for children, adults under 26, and adults 50 and older, every low-income California resident can now access full Medi-Cal benefits without regard to immigration status.
Income Limits for 2026
Most applicants are evaluated using Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI), which is your federal adjusted gross income plus certain non-taxable income like tax-exempt interest.4Medicaid.gov. Implementation Guide – MAGI Based Methodologies Under MAGI, only your income counts. Savings, investments, and property are not part of the calculation.
For adults under 65, the ceiling is 138 percent of the federal poverty level. Based on the 2026 guidelines, the approximate annual and monthly limits are:1U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 2026 Poverty Guidelines
- Individual: $22,025 per year, or $1,835 per month
- Family of two: $29,767 per year, or $2,481 per month
- Family of four: $45,540 per year, or $3,795 per month
Children get more generous thresholds. A child under 19 can receive Medi-Cal if household income is up to 266 percent of the federal poverty level.5Department of Health Care Services. Income Eligibility Comparison Chart Pregnant individuals qualify for full Medi-Cal at up to 213 percent, and the Medi-Cal Access Program covers pregnancies up to 322 percent for higher-income households.6Covered California. Program Eligibility by Federal Poverty Level
For people who need nursing home or long-term care, the income cap is set at 300 percent of the SSI federal benefit rate, which is $2,982 per month in 2026.7Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. 2026 SSI and Spousal Impoverishment Standards
Do Your Assets Count?
If your eligibility runs through MAGI, which covers most adults under 65, children, and pregnant individuals, your assets are not counted at all. There is no cap on savings, home equity, or vehicle value.
California reinstated asset limits on January 1, 2026, but only for applicants whose eligibility is not based on MAGI. That group is mainly people who are 65 or older, blind, or disabled.8California Department of Health Care Services. Asset Limit Fact Sheet The reinstated limits are much higher than the old federal figures:
- One person: $130,000 in countable assets
- Each additional household member: $65,000 more, up to 10 people
Not everything counts. Your primary home, main vehicle, household belongings, and retirement accounts you draw regular payments from are all excluded.9DHCS. Asset Limit Frequently Asked Questions Cash, bank accounts, second vehicles, and additional properties do count. Married couples where one spouse needs nursing home care may qualify for spousal impoverishment protections that let the at-home spouse keep additional resources; your county Medi-Cal office can walk through the specifics.
Automatic Qualification Through Other Programs
If you are already in certain public assistance programs, you qualify for Medi-Cal without a separate financial screening:
- Recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or the State Supplementary Payment (SSP) are automatically enrolled.
- Families receiving CalWORKs cash aid are eligible.
- Current foster youth qualify, and former foster youth up to age 26 qualify if they were in care on their 18th birthday in any state.
You do not need to file a Medi-Cal application if you fall into one of these groups. Enrollment is handled through the program you are already in.
Pathways for Specific Groups
Pregnancy
Pregnant individuals can get Medi-Cal at income levels above the standard adult threshold, up to 213 percent of the federal poverty level. Coverage runs through the pregnancy and continues for a full 12 months after delivery no matter how your income changes during that period.10CA.gov. Pregnancy – Medi-Cal Providers The extended postpartum coverage includes all medically necessary services.
Aged, Blind, or Disabled
If you are 65 or older, legally blind, or have a qualifying disability, you may be eligible through a non-MAGI pathway. These pathways use different income rules and apply the asset limits described above.
Share of Cost for High Medical Expenses
If your income is too high for standard Medi-Cal but you have significant medical bills, the Medically Needy program may still cover you. It is available to people who are aged, blind, or disabled, and it sets a monthly “share of cost” you pay toward your medical expenses before Medi-Cal starts paying. It functions like a deductible: once your bills for the month exceed your share of cost, Medi-Cal picks up the rest of the covered services that month.
Immediate Coverage If You Need Care Now
If you need medical care right away and are not on Medi-Cal, participating hospitals can approve up to 60 days of temporary coverage through the Hospital Presumptive Eligibility program. Approval is based on the income information you provide, and no documentation is required at that stage.11Department of Health Care Services. Hospital Presumptive Eligibility Program You need to have low income, live in California, and not already be enrolled.
Presumptive eligibility is a bridge. File a full Medi-Cal application during the 60-day window so you do not lose coverage when the temporary period ends.
Changes Coming in 2026 and 2027
Two federal changes are worth knowing about before you apply.
Starting December 31, 2026, adults who qualify through Medicaid expansion, generally adults aged 19 through 64 without disabilities, will have their eligibility reviewed every six months instead of once a year. Keeping up with renewal paperwork becomes more important if this applies to you.
Starting January 1, 2027, that same group will need to work, volunteer, participate in job training, or attend school for at least 80 hours per month to keep coverage. Broad exemptions apply, including pregnant individuals, people with disabilities, caregivers of children under 14, veterans with a total disability, current or recent foster youth under 26, and people receiving SSI or Social Security Disability Insurance. Watch for official guidance from the Department of Health Care Services as the date gets closer.