The California Department of Health Care Services has implemented the 2026 federal poverty levels (FPL) for the numerous programs county Medi-Cal offices administer. For most individuals and families, the higher income limits will be retroactive to January 1, 2026. Covered California will adjust their income table in February 2026 to reflect the higher dollar amounts only for Medi-Cal eligible programs relative to adults, pregnant individuals, and children.
A single adult can now earn up to $1,836 monthly and retain MAGI Medi-Cal eligibility. This is an increase of $35 from 2025.
For a household of three individuals, the new MAGI monthly income for adults to retain Medi-Cal is $3,143 (138% FPL). If the household includes a pregnant individual, the household can earn up to $4,851 (213% FPL) per month and the pregnant individual can retain full-scope Medi-Cal. If there are children in the household, the income needs to be less than $6,057 (266% FPL) a month for them to keep Medi-Cal. Families in the C-CHIP region of Santa Clara, San Mateo, and San Francisco counties can earn up to $7,332 and keep the children on Medi-Cal.
On an annual MAGI income basis, adults in household of three can earn up to $37,702. For children at 266% FPL, the household income needs to be under $72,672.
The 2026 Covered California income table will be adjusted to reflect the higher income amounts but only for 138%, 213%, 266%, and 322% FPL. All other columns will remain the same for 2026.
YouTube video on 2026 Medi-Cal income limits.
