Medicaid Eligibility
Calculator
Medicaid pays for long-term care for millions of Americans, but qualifying is complicated. Income limits, asset tests, and community-spouse protections all vary by state. Use our free calculator to check whether you or a loved one may qualify based on your household income, assets, and state of residence.
Important: This tool provides educational estimates only — not legal advice. Made For Law is not a law firm and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to any federal, state, county, or local government agency or court system. Calculator results are based on statutory formulas and publicly available fee schedules — not AI. Supporting content is AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. Results may not reflect recent legislative changes or your specific circumstances. Do not rely solely on these estimates — always verify with official sources and consult a licensed attorney before making legal or financial decisions. Full disclaimer
Check Your Medicaid Eligibility
Enter your income, assets, and household information to see if you may qualify for Medicaid long-term care coverage in your state.
How Medicaid Eligibility Works
Medicaid uses two different methods to evaluate income depending on the type of coverage you're applying for:
MAGI (Modified Adjusted Gross Income)
Used for most adults under 65, children, and pregnant women. Based on tax income with specific deductions. No asset test in most cases. Income limit is typically 138% FPL in Medicaid expansion states.
Non-MAGI (Long-Term Care / Aged & Disabled)
Used for nursing home care, home & community-based services, and aged/disabled programs. Includes both an income test and an asset test. Asset limits are typically $2,000 for individuals and $3,000 for couples.
Community Spouse Resource Allowance (CSRA): up to $162,660 in 2026
Protects the at-home spouse from losing all assets when one spouse needs nursing home care.
Countable vs Non-Countable Assets
Medicaid only counts certain assets when determining eligibility. Understanding what counts can make the difference between qualifying and being denied.
Countable Assets
- Bank accounts (checking & savings)
- Stocks, bonds, and mutual funds
- Second homes and vacation properties
- Cash and certificates of deposit
- Non-ERISA retirement accounts (in some states)
- Life insurance cash value over $1,500
- Investment real estate
- Vehicles beyond the first one
Non-Countable (Exempt) Assets
- Primary home (equity below $713,000)
- One vehicle (any value in most states)
- Personal belongings and household goods
- Prepaid burial plans and funeral expenses
- ERISA-qualified retirement accounts
- Term life insurance (no cash value)
- Wedding and engagement rings
- Business assets needed for self-support
MMMNA — Protecting the Community Spouse
The Minimum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance (MMMNA) ensures the community spouse — the spouse who remains at home — has enough income to live on when their partner enters a nursing home on Medicaid.
2026 MMMNA: $2,643.75/month (federal minimum)
States may set higher amounts. Maximum allowance is $3,853.50/month.
If the community spouse's own income is below the MMMNA, they can receive a portion of the institutionalized spouse's income to bring them up to the minimum. This allocation happens before Medicaid calculates the patient's contribution to care costs.
The MMMNA can be increased above the standard amount through a fair hearing or court order if the community spouse has exceptional expenses like high shelter costs or medical bills.
State Medicaid Income Limits
Long-term care Medicaid eligibility limits for individuals. These figures represent the most common program thresholds; your state may have additional pathways to eligibility.
| State | Income Limit | Asset Limit | Home Equity Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $1,732 | $130,000 | $713,000 |
| New York | $1,732 | $31,175 | $1,071,000 |
| Florida | $2,829 | $2,000 | $713,000 |
| Texas | $2,829 | $2,000 | $713,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $2,829 | $2,000 | $713,000 |
| Illinois | $1,732 | $2,000 | $713,000 |
| Ohio | $2,829 | $2,000 | $713,000 |
| Massachusetts | $2,829 | $2,000 | $1,071,000 |
| New Jersey | $2,829 | $2,000 | $1,071,000 |
| Connecticut | $2,829 | $1,600 | $1,071,000 |
Income limits shown are monthly. Asset and home equity limits are for individuals. Figures reflect 2026 thresholds where available.
Medicaid Planning Strategies
Legal strategies exist to protect assets while qualifying for Medicaid. These must be implemented carefully — ideally with an elder law attorney — to avoid triggering penalties.
Irrevocable Trusts
Assets placed in an irrevocable trust are no longer owned by you and don't count toward Medicaid limits. However, the transfer must occur more than 60 months before your Medicaid application (the look-back period) to avoid penalties.
Spousal Refusal
In some states (notably New York and Florida), the community spouse can legally refuse to make their assets available for the institutionalized spouse's care. Medicaid must then approve the application and can choose to pursue the community spouse for reimbursement — though this rarely happens.
Caregiver Agreements
A written agreement paying a family member for caregiving services at fair market rates converts countable assets (cash) into non-countable assets (compensation for services rendered). The agreement must be signed before services begin and reflect reasonable rates.
Medicaid-Compliant Annuities
A Medicaid-compliant annuity converts a lump sum of countable assets into an income stream. The annuity must be irrevocable, non-assignable, actuarially sound, and name the state Medicaid agency as the primary beneficiary up to the amount of benefits paid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Edited and reviewed by our editorial team. Answers are general information — not legal advice.
What are Medicaid income limits?
Medicaid income limits vary by state and program type. For long-term care Medicaid, most states cap income at $2,829/month (300% of SSI in 2026) for individuals. For MAGI-based Medicaid (adults under 65), limits are tied to the Federal Poverty Level — typically 138% FPL in expansion states. Some states use medically needy programs that allow higher-income individuals to qualify after spending down medical expenses.
What assets count for Medicaid?
Countable assets include bank accounts, stocks and bonds, mutual funds, second homes or vacation properties, cash value of life insurance over $1,500, and any other liquid assets. Non-countable assets include your primary home (if equity is below $713,000 in most states), one vehicle, personal belongings, prepaid burial plans, and ERISA-qualified retirement accounts in many states. The asset limit is $2,000 for individuals and $3,000 for couples in most states.
Can I keep my house on Medicaid?
Yes, your primary home is generally exempt from Medicaid asset calculations as long as your equity is below the state limit (up to $713,000 in most states, higher in some). You must intend to return home, or your spouse or dependent must live there. However, Medicaid may place a lien on your home and seek recovery from your estate after death through the estate recovery program.
What is the community spouse resource allowance?
The Community Spouse Resource Allowance (CSRA) protects the at-home spouse from impoverishment when one spouse enters a nursing home. In 2026, the community spouse can keep up to $162,660 in countable assets (minimum $32,532). The CSRA is calculated at the time of the institutional spouse's Medicaid application based on the couple's combined assets.
How long does the Medicaid application take?
Medicaid applications typically take 45 days for standard applications and up to 90 days for disability-based applications. Processing times vary significantly by state and county. Incomplete applications, missing documentation, or questions about asset transfers during the look-back period can cause substantial delays. Some states allow retroactive coverage for up to 3 months before the application date.
Can Medicaid take my home after death (estate recovery)?
Yes. Federal law requires states to seek recovery of Medicaid long-term care costs from the estates of deceased recipients. This is called Medicaid Estate Recovery. States can place liens on your home and recover costs from the proceeds of a sale. However, recovery is delayed if a surviving spouse, minor child, or disabled child lives in the home. Some states limit recovery to probate assets only, while others pursue all assets.
Do I need an elder law attorney?
An elder law attorney is strongly recommended if you have significant assets, own a home, need to plan for a spouse remaining in the community, have made asset transfers within the past five years, or are facing a Medicaid denial. Elder law attorneys specialize in Medicaid planning strategies like irrevocable trusts, spousal refusal, and caregiver agreements that can legally protect assets while maintaining eligibility.
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