Medicaid Eligibility Checker 2026
Will you likely qualify for Medicaid, CHIP, or Marketplace subsidies in your state? Enter your state, household size, and income for a fast screen — built on the official 2026 HHS poverty guidelines and each state's Medicaid expansion status.
Your situation
Coverage verdict
Income is measured as MAGI. This is a general eligibility screen using 2026 HHS poverty guidelines and KFF Medicaid-expansion status (May 2026); final eligibility is determined by the state Medicaid agency. Free application help: call 211, or visit healthcare.gov.
How the screen works
The tool compares your income to the 2026 federal poverty level for your household size (HHS guidelines, effective January 13 2026 — separate tables for Alaska and Hawaii). If your state expanded Medicaid and your income is at or below 138% FPL, you likely qualify for Medicaid. Above 138% and up to 400% FPL, Marketplace premium tax credits usually apply. In the ten states that have not expanded, most adults without dependent children have no Medicaid pathway at any income — the tool tells you that up front instead of sending you through a doomed application.
2026 federal poverty levels (annual income)
| Household | 48 states + DC | Alaska | Hawaii |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $15,960 | $19,950 | $18,360 |
| 2 | $21,640 | $27,050 | $24,890 |
| 3 | $27,320 | $34,150 | $31,420 |
| 4 | $33,000 | $41,250 | $37,950 |
| 5 | $38,680 | $48,350 | $44,480 |
| 6 | $44,360 | $55,450 | $51,010 |
| 7 | $50,040 | $62,550 | $57,540 |
| 8 | $55,720 | $69,650 | $64,070 |
Source: HHS Poverty Guidelines for 2026, Federal Register (effective January 13, 2026). Add $5,680 (contiguous), $7,100 (AK), or $6,530 (HI) per additional person beyond 8.
Open data
State-by-state Medicaid expansion status, notes, and the 2026 FPL tables behind this tool are published as an open dataset: state-mental-health-access-2026.json (CC BY 4.0). 2026 FPL tables are in the HHS source above.
Not eligible? Free and low-cost care still exists
- Federally qualified health centers (sliding scale): findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov
- Call 211 for local services in any state
- Marketplace plans with premium tax credits: healthcare.gov
Frequently asked questions
What income limit qualifies for Medicaid?
In the 41 states (including DC) that expanded Medicaid, adults generally qualify up to 138% of the federal poverty level — for 2026, about $37,702 for a household of three. In non-expansion states, most adults without dependent children do not qualify at any income, and parent limits are far lower.
What is the 2026 federal poverty level for my family size?
2026 HHS guidelines (effective Jan 13, 2026): $15,960 for one person, $21,640 for two, $27,320 for three, $33,000 for four, plus $5,680 per additional person. Alaska and Hawaii have higher tables.
If I do not qualify for Medicaid, what are my options?
Between 100% and 400% FPL you likely qualify for premium tax credits on the Health Insurance Marketplace (healthcare.gov) — often reducing monthly premiums substantially. Below 100% FPL in non-expansion states, community health centers offer sliding-scale care; call 211 for local help.
Is this a guarantee of eligibility?
No. This is a general screen using 2026 poverty guidelines and KFF expansion status. Final eligibility is decided by your state Medicaid agency, which considers MAGI income, household composition, and state-specific rules.
Related pages
- Mental health care by state (2026) — Medicaid status, parity law, and free help per state
- Mental health resources hub — all self-checks, guides, and crisis lines
- US help: 988, Crisis Text Line, SAMHSA
You are not alone. These free, confidential services are staffed by trained counselors 24/7. If you are thinking about harming yourself, reach out now.
- 988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineCall or text 988 (US, 24/7)
- Crisis Text LineText HOME to 741741 (US)
- SAMHSA National Helpline1-800-662-4357 (US)
- World Health Organization (WHO)Global mental-health resources
Moodfig is an educational self-tracking tool, not a substitute for professional care. See Mental Health Help (US) for licensed-provider directories and authority sources (NIMH, SAMHSA, APA, WHO).