Medi-Cal is California’s Medicaid program: free or very low-cost health coverage for people with limited income. For most working-age adults, qualifying comes down to one number, your income compared to the federal poverty level, and there’s no savings or asset test at all. That last part trips people up, because they assume money in the bank disqualifies them. For most adults in 2026, it doesn’t. Below: who qualifies, the 2026 income limits, and a rule change that took effect this January.
The short version
Adults 19–64 generally qualify for Medi-Cal with income up to 138% of the federal poverty level — about $21,597 a year for one person or $44,367 for a family of four in 2026. For these adults, there is no asset test.
Seniors (65+) and people who are blind or disabled follow different “Non-MAGI” rules, and those do have an asset limit again as of January 1, 2026.
Apply anytime at BenefitsCal.com or through your county; Medi-Cal has no enrollment deadline.
Do you qualify? A 30-second check
- Are you a California resident? Required, but you don’t need a permanent home.
- Is your household income at or under 138% of the poverty level? (the table below)
- Are you 19–64? Then you’re in the “MAGI” group: income-only, no asset test.
- Are you 65+, blind, or disabled? Different rules apply, including an asset limit (see below).
Immigration status matters but doesn’t automatically disqualify you. In 2024, California opened full-scope Medi-Cal to all income-eligible adults regardless of status. Important 2026 update: as of January 1, 2026, new full-scope enrollment is frozen for undocumented adults 19 and older. New applicants in that group qualify only for restricted-scope (emergency and pregnancy) coverage, while those already enrolled keep their coverage at renewal. Children and pregnant people are not affected by the freeze.
What Medi-Cal is
Medi-Cal is the same thing as Medicaid, under California’s name. It’s jointly funded by the state and federal government and covers doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, mental health, dental (Denti-Cal), and more, usually at no monthly premium for those who qualify by income. It’s administered by the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) and enrolled through your county.
2026 income limits (adults, 138% FPL)
These are the limits for the main adult group (MAGI), effective January 1, 2026:
| Household size | Annual income limit | Monthly (≈ annual ÷ 12) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $21,597 | ~$1,800 |
| 2 | $29,187 | ~$2,432 |
| 3 | $36,777 | ~$3,065 |
| 4 | $44,367 | ~$3,697 |
| Each additional | +$7,590 | +$633 |
Eligibility uses Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI), roughly your taxable income. If you’re close to the line, apply anyway; how income counts can work in your favor.
MAGI vs Non-MAGI: which rules apply to you
This distinction decides whether your savings matter:
- MAGI Medi-Cal covers most adults 19–64, children, pregnant people, and parents. It looks only at income. No asset or savings test. Your bank balance, car, and home don’t count.
- Non-MAGI Medi-Cal covers people 65+, blind, or disabled, and those linked to long-term care. It has both income and asset rules.
Special groups with higher limits
- Pregnant individuals qualify for full-scope Medi-Cal up to 213% FPL, and the Medi-Cal Access Program (MCAP) covers pregnancy care up to 322% FPL.
- Children under 19 qualify at higher income levels, up to 266% FPL.
How to apply
- Apply at BenefitsCal.com anytime, there’s no open-enrollment window for Medi-Cal. You can also apply through Covered California or your county social services office.
- Provide income and identity details. Your county verifies eligibility, often by checking electronic records, so you may not need to mail much.
- Get a decision. Counties generally process Medi-Cal within 45 days (90 if a disability determination is needed). Coverage can be retroactive up to three months before you applied if you were eligible then.
Already on, or applying for, CalFresh? The income groups overlap heavily, so many CalFresh households also qualify for Medi-Cal. You still enroll in each separately, but the same income picture usually carries over. See how programs connect in our California benefits stacking guide and the CalFresh 2026 guide.
Quick answers
Does Medi-Cal check my savings?
For most adults 19–64 (MAGI), no, there is no asset test. For people 65+, blind, or disabled (Non-MAGI), yes, and as of January 1, 2026 the asset limit is $130,000 for an individual.
Can I qualify if I have a job?
Yes, if your income is within 138% of the poverty level. Many working adults qualify and don’t realize it.
What if I earn a little too much?
You may qualify for low-cost coverage with subsidies through Covered California, and children and pregnant people have higher Medi-Cal limits.
Does using Medi-Cal affect immigration status?
Medi-Cal is generally not counted in the federal public-charge test. California still covers eligible children and pregnant people regardless of status, and people already enrolled keep coverage. But since January 1, 2026, undocumented adults 19 and older who newly apply qualify only for restricted-scope (emergency) coverage.
Bottom line
Most California adults qualify for Medi-Cal on income alone, up to about $21,597 a year for one person in 2026, with no asset test. The big 2026 change is narrow: seniors and disabled applicants under Non-MAGI rules face an asset limit again, but working-age adults don’t.
Check your household against the income table, then apply at BenefitsCal.com anytime. And if you qualify for Medi-Cal, check CalFresh too, the income limits overlap and most people who get one are eligible for the other.