Health & Medical 7 min read Updated 2026-01-10
Medicaid Eligibility 2026: Income Limits in Every State
Medicaid covers over 80 million Americans. If your income is low-to-moderate, you almost certainly qualify — especially in the 41 states that expanded Medicaid.
Expansion states (138% FPL cutoff for adults)
If you live here, single adults earning under ~$20,800/yr qualify: AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SD, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, DCNon-expansion states (much stricter)
In FL, GA, KS, MS, SC, TN, TX, WI, WY — adult coverage is limited to parents earning under ~15% FPL. Kids, pregnant women, elderly, and disabled still have standard coverage.Who always qualifies
- Kids under 19 up to 200%+ FPL
- Pregnant women up to 138–220% FPL depending on state
- Adults 65+, blind, or disabled (SSI recipients auto-enroll)
- Parents of dependent children (expansion state limits apply)
Required documents
- Photo ID
- Social Security number (or immigration docs)
- Proof of income (3 most recent pay stubs)
- Proof of residency
- Proof of pregnancy (if applicable)
Apply fast during Open Enrollment (Nov–Jan)
Outside Open Enrollment, you can still apply anytime for Medicaid — it has no enrollment window. Coverage starts the month you apply.Don't lose it — renew yearly
Medicaid requires annual renewal. Missing the form = coverage termination. We'll send you reminders on UnifiedAid.CHIP for kids
If your kids don't qualify for Medicaid, CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program) covers them at up to 300% FPL in most states — often free or low-cost.Helpful next steps
Tools that stretch your benefits
Advertising disclosure: UnifiedAid earns a commission when you use these partner links. This never affects your eligibility results. Learn more