Medicaid: who qualifies and how to apply
Income limits and qualifying groups. Covers both expansion and non-expansion states.
Who can get Medicaid?
Medicaid is health coverage for people with low incomes. The groups covered depend on whether your state has expanded Medicaid under the ACA.
In expansion states (40 states + DC)
Adults 19 to 64 with income up to 138% of the federal poverty level ($20,783/year for a single person in 2026) can get Medicaid — regardless of family status, disability, or immigration status (if lawfully resident).
In non-expansion states (10 states)
Coverage for adults is more limited. You generally need to be a parent of a dependent child with very low income, pregnant, disabled, elderly, or in another specific qualifying group. Single adults without children often cannot get Medicaid in non-expansion states unless they are disabled.
How to apply
You can apply year-round through:
- Your state's Medicaid website or Benefits.gov
- HealthCare.gov (the Marketplace application automatically screens for Medicaid)
- Your state's Medicaid office in person
- Phone — call your state Medicaid office
What documents you need
- Proof of identity and citizenship or immigration status
- Social Security numbers for all applicants
- Proof of income (pay stubs, tax return, benefit letters)
- Proof of state residency
Starting a Marketplace application at HealthCare.gov during Open Enrollment automatically checks if you qualify for Medicaid. If you qualify, you're enrolled — you don't need a separate application.
Medicaid and CHIP at HealthCare.govHow long does it take?
Most states process Medicaid applications within 45 days (90 days if a disability determination is required). Some states can approve you same-day or within a few days if you clearly qualify. Once approved, coverage can be backdated up to 3 months in some states.