California Medi-Cal Asset Limits:
2026 and 2027
Medi-Cal does not apply an asset test to everyone.
Beginning January 1, 2026, California again began counting assets for many Non-MAGI Medi-Cal programs, including programs serving:
- People age 65 and older;
- People with disabilities;
- People with a Medi-Cal Share of Cost;
- Some Medicare beneficiaries; and
- People who need nursing-home or other long-term care.
The amount that matters is your countable property. Your principal residence, one vehicle and certain other property may not count toward the limit.
Review the official DHCS Medi-Cal Asset Limit Frequently Asked Questions.
Current Medi-Cal Asset Limits
These limits apply through June 30, 2027:
- One person: $130,000
- Two people: $195,000
- Three people: $260,000
- Four people: $325,000
- Five people: $390,000
- Add $65,000 for each additional eligible family member.
- A maximum of ten people may be included.
These limits apply to countable assets, not necessarily everything a person owns.
Not everyone who lives in the home is necessarily included in the Medi-Cal household. For example, an adult child living with a parent may not be included in the parent’s Medi-Cal household.
Asset Limits Are Scheduled to Drop in July 2027
Under current California Department of Health Care Services guidance, the asset limits beginning July 1, 2027 will be:
- One person: $21,000
- Two people: $31,000
- Add $1,550 for each additional eligible household member.
- A maximum of ten people may be included.
This would be a substantial reduction from the limits currently in effect.
People who have Medi-Cal based on age, disability, Medicare eligibility or long-term-care needs should carefully review future renewal notices and updated DHCS guidance.
Which Medi-Cal Programs Use These Asset Limits?
The asset limits generally apply to most Non-MAGI Medi-Cal programs, including:
- Aged, Blind and Disabled Medi-Cal;
- Medically Needy Medi-Cal;
- Medi-Cal with a Share of Cost;
- The 250% Working Disabled Program;
- Long-Term-Care and Nursing-Home Medi-Cal;
- Certain Home and Community-Based Services programs; and
- Medicare Savings Programs, including:
- Qualified Medicare Beneficiary — QMB;
- Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary — SLMB;
- Qualifying Individual — QI; and
- Qualified Disabled and Working Individual — QDWI.
Important exception: Under current DHCS guidance, the Pickle, Disabled Adult Child and Disabled Widow or Widower programs remain exempt from the reinstated asset test under separate federal waiver authority.
Does the Asset Test Apply to MAGI Medi-Cal?
Generally, no.
Most people who qualify under the MAGI Medi-Cal tax and income rules are not subject to the Non-MAGI asset limit.
MAGI Medi-Cal commonly covers:
- Adults under age 65;
- Parents and caretaker relatives;
- Children;
- Pregnant individuals; and
- Other people whose eligibility is determined primarily by income and tax-household rules.
Income, household size, residency and other eligibility requirements still apply.
Review our MAGI Medi-Cal income and eligibility information.
See the official DHCS explanation of who is affected by the asset limits.
Which Assets May Count?
Countable assets may include:
- Cash;
- Checking accounts;
- Savings accounts;
- Certificates of deposit;
- Stocks, bonds and brokerage accounts;
- Second homes or other real estate;
- Additional vehicles;
- Certain retirement or investment accounts;
- Financial resources held jointly with another person; and
- Other financial resources located inside or outside California.
An asset may need to be reported even when you believe that it should be exempt. Your county Medi-Cal office makes the official determination about whether an asset counts.
Which Assets Usually Do Not Count?
Examples of property that may be excluded from the asset calculation include:
- Your principal residence;
- Your primary vehicle;
- Furniture and ordinary household property;
- Clothing and personal effects;
- Certain property used for self-support; and
- Certain retirement funds when you are receiving regular payments.
Different rules may apply to retirement accounts, life-insurance policies, annuities, burial arrangements, business property and jointly owned property.
Do not assume that an asset is automatically exempt merely because it is labeled a retirement account or is difficult to sell.
Review the DHCS examples of counted and exempt assets.
Read CANHR’s explanation of asset limits for Non-MAGI Medi-Cal.
Special Asset Protection for a Spouse at Home
Special spousal-impoverishment protections may apply when one spouse or registered domestic partner:
- Lives in a skilled nursing facility;
- Receives qualifying Home and Community-Based Services;
- Is on a waiting list for a qualifying Home and Community-Based Services program; or
- Otherwise meets Medi-Cal’s definition of an institutionalized or high-need spouse.
For 2026, the Community Spouse Resource Allowance is $162,660.
The Medi-Cal applicant may also have a separate allowable property amount. The rules depend on who is applying, how the property is owned and whether both spouses are requesting Medi-Cal.
Ask the county specifically whether you qualify for:
- The Community Spouse Resource Allowance;
- A spousal income allocation;
- The Minimum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance; and
- Home and Community-Based Services spousal protections.
Review the official 2026 DHCS spousal-impoverishment guidance.
Do Not Give Away Property Without Getting Advice
Asset-transfer rules are especially important for people applying for nursing-home or other long-term-care Medi-Cal.
- California may review certain transfers made during the previous 30 months.
- A gift or sale for less than fair market value may create a period during which Medi-Cal will not pay for nursing-facility-level care.
- Transfers of exempt property are generally treated differently from transfers of countable property.
- Special exceptions may apply to transfers involving a spouse, a child with a disability or certain other people.
- Selling property for its full fair-market value is different from giving the property away.
Do not transfer a home, bank account, investment or other property merely to qualify for Medi-Cal without first obtaining knowledgeable legal or benefits advice.
Review our page on qualifying for Medi-Cal nursing-home benefits.
Review the official DHCS long-term-care Medi-Cal information.
Reliable Medi-Cal Asset-Limit Resources
More Information on Our Website
- Aged and Disabled Medi-Cal
- Medi-Cal Share of Cost
- 250% Working Disabled Program
- Medi-Cal Nursing-Home Benefits
- Medicare Savings Programs
- Medi-Cal Contacts and Help
Official and Nonprofit Resources
- DHCS Asset Limit Frequently Asked Questions
- DHCS Medi-Cal Changes
- CANHR 2026 Asset Limit Reinstatement FAQ
- CANHR Asset Limits for Non-MAGI Medi-Cal
- California Health Advocates: Medi-Cal for People With Medicare
- California HICAP Medicare Counseling
- Find Your County Medi-Cal Office
- DHCS.CA.Gov Asset Limits FAQ’s
- CANHR Asset Limits FAQ’s
- CA Health Care Advocates Medi Cal for people with Medicare
- A Medicaid Medi Cal ‘spend down’ may get an older person long-term care coverage but isn’t a DIY strategy ApnNews March 2026
California’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program is called HICAP. HICAP provides free and confidential counseling about Medicare, Medicare Savings Programs, long-term-care insurance and related coverage issues.
HICAP statewide telephone number: 1-800-434-0222
Who Makes the Final Medi-Cal Decision?
Your county Medi-Cal office determines:
- Which Medi-Cal program applies to you;
- Which people are included in your Medi-Cal household;
- Which assets must be reported;
- Which assets count toward the limit;
- Which assets are exempt;
- Whether spousal-impoverishment protections apply; and
- Whether additional documentation is required.
Steve Shorr Insurance does not make Medi-Cal eligibility decisions and does not provide legal, tax or estate-planning advice.
We may be able to help explain how Medi-Cal coordinates with:
- Medicare;
- Medicare Advantage plans;
- Medicare Supplement Medi Gap insurance;
- Dental and vision insurance; and
- Medi-Cal Share of Cost.
Email is the best way to reach us:
[email protected]
For a decision about your Medi-Cal eligibility or asset calculation, contact your county Medi-Cal office.
