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 home – principal residence,
  • one vehicle and
  • certain other property may not count toward the limit.
• Citations
  • official DHCS Medi-Cal Asset Limit Frequently Asked Questions. FAQ’s
  • Medi-Cal Is Changing in 2027: Here’s What You Need to Know  Goff Legal  Video 
    • Luther Kenney Video
  • ca.db101.org/medi_cal/ categories

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.

See the current asset-limit amounts on the DHCS website.

Asset Limits Are Scheduled to be much lower  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.
  • For someone already enrolled, the law applies the lower limit beginning with their first annual renewal conducted on or after July 1, 2027, assuming implementation proceeds as scheduled.
  • It does not automatically make every existing member over the limit on July 1.
    • Citation: Welfare and Institutions Code §14005.62(b), added by SB 164, §69.
• 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.
• References & Citations
  • DHCS.CA.Gov Medi Cal Changes 
  • dhcs.ca.gov/asset-limit-frequently-asked-questions/

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.
• Review DHCS All County Welfare Directors Letter 25-14.  June 30, 2025
• REINSTATEMENT OF ASSET LIMITS FOR THE the Pickle, Disabled Adult Child (DAC), AND DISABLED WIDOW/ER (DW) PROGRAMS  9/17/2026 DHCS 

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.
• Review the
  • DHCS asset-reporting information letter.
    • Including FAQ’s
  •  dhcs.ca.gov frequently-asked-questions/#what-assets

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.
  •  cal able.ca.gov/overview
    • FAQ’s  
  •  cdss.ca.gov/ /calable
  • integris wealth.com/understanding-able-accounts-in-california/
  •  cookman law.com/able-accounts-in-california/
• References & Citations
  • Review our page on qualifying for Medi-Cal nursing-home benefits.
  • Review the official DHCS long-term-care Medi-Cal information.
  •  dhcs.ca.gov/ asset-limit-frequently-asked-questions/

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
  • Benefits Cal.com
• 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.

Find your county Medi-Cal office.

Benefits Cal.com