Medi-Cal Aged &  Disabled Federal Poverty Level
(A&D FPL) Program

Chart from CA Health Care Advocates 

Medi-Cal #Asset & Income Limits (2026)

For programs with an asset test (Aged/Blind/Disabled, Share-of-Cost, long-term care, Medicare Savings Programs):

• $130,000 for one person
• $195,000 for a couple
• +$65,000 for each additional household member (up to 10 people) (CalHealth Services)

These limits apply to countable assets, such as:

• Cash
• Bank accounts
• Stocks or brokerage accounts
• Certificates of deposit
• Additional real estate or second homes
• Extra vehicles (CalHealth Services)

Assets That Do NOT Count

Several assets are exempt, including:

• Your primary residence
• One vehicle
• Household goods and personal property
• Some retirement accounts if you are taking distributions our webpage
• Burial plots and certain prepaid funeral plans (CANHR)

This is why many people technically have more wealth than the limit but still qualify.

What If You’re Over the Asset Limit?

Yes — normally you must spend down assets until you fall below the limit.

Typical “spend-down” methods include:

Allowed spending

• Paying off debts (mortgage, credit cards, car loan)
• Home repairs or improvements
• Buying furniture or appliances
• Paying medical bills
• Prepaying rent or care costs
• Purchasing exempt assets (car, burial plan)

If your assets are still over $130,000 (or $195k for couples) when you apply or at renewal, Medi-Cal eligibility will be denied or terminated. (Justice in Aging)

Important Rule: Look-Back Period

For long-term-care Medi-Cal,  our webpage California can review up to 30 months of financial history.

If someone gave away assets or transferred them for less than fair value, it can create a penalty period where Medi-Cal will not pay for care. (CunninghamLegal)

This is why planning is often done carefully with attorneys.

Example

Let’s say a single person has:

• $200,000 in savings
• A home they live in (not counted)

Since the limit is $130,000, they must spend down about $70,000 before Medi-Cal eligibility.

They could do that by:

• Paying off debts
• Home improvements
• Medical expenses our webpage
• Buying exempt items

The asset test only applies to “non-MAGI” Medi-Cal (mostly seniors, disabled, and long-term care).

MAGI Medi-Cal (Affordable Care Act expansion) has no asset test at all — eligibility is based on income only. (Justice in Aging)

✅ Bottom line:

• Asset limit in 2026: $130k single / $195k couple
• If you exceed it, you generally must spend down assets before qualifying.
• Some assets (home, car, personal property) don’t count.
• Improper transfers can trigger penalties.
• Email us [email protected]  

If you want, Chat GBT can also explain three little-known strategies people use to qualify without just burning through their savings (these come up a lot in Medi-Cal planning and many agents don’t know them).

SSI #Resources & Income Limits

• Medi-Cal section of the
  • Disability Benefits 101 website.
• Countable resources are the things you own that count toward the resource limit. Many things you own do not count.

 ^{CA Health Care Advocates *  DHCS}  *

1. 1.  asset questionnaire
   2. CANHR Fact Sheet
   3. Understanding Medi-Cal’s Asset Test for Seniors and People With Disabilities
   4. Western Poverty Law 
   5. Nolo - SSI Income & Asset Limits
   6. Income SSA.Gov
      1. SSA Site
   7. Will my settlement affect my government benefits?  VIDEO
   8. dhcs.ca.gov/Asset-Limit-Changes-for-Non-MAGI-Medi-Cal
      1. dhcs.ca.gov/asset test amendment
      2. dhcs.ca.gov/Asset-Limits-Report
   9. california healthline.org/sset-test-elimination
   10. FAQ's
   11. Our webpage on SSI Resources & Income
2. Have less than... of FPL  in countable monthly income for an individual ... for a couple). ^{ca health advocates.org ADFPL    *  AB 715 Fact Sheet * Western Poverty Law  *} 
   1. Share of Cost if income is too high, but you qualify on asset test?

Resources & Links

•  Insure Me Kevin.com  *
• DHCS.CA.Gov *
  • How to report assets Insure Me Kevin.com

FAQ’s

Links & Resources

• Main Webpage on Medicare & Enrollment
• Publication 524 (2023), Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled  IRS.Gov *
• Publication 907 (2024), Tax Highlights for Persons With Disabilities  IRS.gov *
• Publication 554 (2024), Tax Guide for Seniors  IRS.Gov
• Negative MAGI Income  Carry Forward Loss  Our website
• The Health Consumer Alliance (HCA) is a statewide partnership that offers Free Over the Phone or In-Person Assistance to help California residents struggling to get or maintain health coverage and resolve problems with their plans.
• Disability Rights California (DRC) defends and improves the rights of Californians who have disabilities.
•  

Long Term Care Planning

Links – Resources

• Big change in Medi-Cal rules opens the door to more seniors  
• CA Health Advocates – Medi-Cal for People who have Medicare
• CANHR.org  *   Aged & Disabled
• Disability Benefits 101 
• Orange County Social Services Agency
• Chart – MAGI and NON-MAGI Qualification for Medi-Cal
• See also our site on Medi-Medi – both Medi-Cal and Medicare
• Insure Me Kevin.com – Friendly Competitor
• How to Report Income Change
• MC 239 Denial of Benefits
• Medi-Cal Eligibilty Procedures Manual Article 22 Disability 179 pages
• Medically Needy Program
• Program for All Inclusive Care For The Elderly
• Welfare & Instituions Code  General Provisions [14000 – 14042]