Qualifying for Medicaid in California is a straightforward process. It’s based on factors like income, family size, and disability status. For example, a single person earning less than $17,655 a year or a family of four earning less than $36,156 a year may qualify. Also, people with disabilities, pregnant women, and children may be eligible regardless of income. To apply, you can fill out an application online, by mail, or at your local county office. You’ll need to provide documents like proof of income, identity, and residency. Once your application is processed, you’ll get a decision within 45 days. If approved, you’ll receive a Medicaid card that you can use to access healthcare services.
Income Eligibility Guidelines
To qualify for Medicaid in California, you must meet certain income and resource limits. The income limits are based on the federal poverty level (FPL). For 2023, the FPL for a single person is $13,590 and for a family of four is $27,750.
- For individuals: Your income must be at or below 138% of the FPL.
- For families: Your income must be at or below 200% of the FPL.
- For pregnant women: Your income must be at or below 200% of the FPL.
- For children: Your income must be at or below 206% of the FPL.
There are some exceptions to these income limits. For example, you may still qualify for Medicaid if you are over 65, blind, or disabled. You may also qualify if you are a pregnant woman or a child under the age of 19.
To find out if you qualify for Medicaid in California, you can apply online or by calling the state’s Medicaid office. You will need to provide information about your income, resources, and household size.
Resource Limits
In addition to income limits, there are also resource limits for Medicaid eligibility in California. Resources include things like cash, bank accounts, stocks, and bonds. The resource limit for an individual is $2,000 and the resource limit for a family is $3,000.
There are some exceptions to these resource limits. For example, you may be able to keep more resources if you are over 65, blind, or disabled. You may also be able to keep more resources if you are a pregnant woman or a child under the age of 19.
| Individual | Family of 2 | Family of 3 | Family of 4 | Family of 5 | Family of 6 | Family of 7 | Family of 8 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100% FPL | $13,590 | $17,970 | $22,350 | $26,730 | $31,110 | $35,490 | $39,870 | $44,250 |
| 138% FPL | $18,673 | $24,442 | $30,211 | $35,980 | $41,749 | $47,518 | $53,287 | $59,056 |
| 200% FPL | $27,180 | $35,940 | $44,700 | $53,460 | $62,220 | $70,980 | $79,740 | $88,500 |
Who Qualifies for Medicaid in California?
If you’re a California resident with low income and few assets, you may qualify for Medicaid, a government health insurance program that helps pay for medical care for low-income people. To learn more about How to Qualify for Medicaid in California and how to apply, visit the Covered California website or call 1-800-300-1506.
Disability and Medicaid in California
If you have a disability, you may be eligible for Medicaid even if you do not meet the income and asset limits. To qualify for Medicaid based on disability, you must:
- Be a California resident
- Have a disability that prevents you from working
- Meet the income and asset limits
Some of the disabilities that may qualify you for Medicaid include:
- Blindness
- Deafness
- Intellectual disability
- Autism
- Mental illness
- Chronic physical conditions, such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes
Income and Asset Limits for Medicaid in California
The income and asset limits for Medicaid in California vary depending on your household size and whether you have a disability. For example, in 2023 the income limit for a single person with a disability is $1,766 per month and the asset limit is $2,500, whereas the income limit for a family of four with a disability is $3,573 per month and the asset limit is $4,000.
| Household Size | Income Limit |
|---|---|
| 1 | $1,766 |
| 2 | $2,382 |
| 3 | $2,998 |
| 4 | $3,573 |
| 5 | $4,148 |
| 6 | $4,723 |
| 7 | $5,298 |
| 8 | $5,873 |
| Household Size | Asset Limit |
|---|---|
| 1 | $2,500 |
| 2 | $3,750 |
| 3 | $5,000 |
| 4 | $6,250 |
| 5 | $7,500 |
| 6 | $8,750 |
| 7 | $10,000 |
| 8 | $11,250 |
If you meet the income and asset limits and other eligibility requirements, you can apply for Medicaid online, by phone, or by mail. You can also get help applying for Medicaid from a social worker or other health care provider.
Applying for Medicaid in California
If you’re a California resident, you may be eligible for Medicaid. In California, Medicaid is called Medi-Cal. To apply for Medi-Cal, you can:
- Apply online at the Covered California website.
- Call the Medi-Cal Managed Care Plan at 1-800-430-4268.
- Visit the local county social services office.
Documents you’ll need:
To complete your application, you’ll need to provide the following documentation:
- Proof of identity (driver’s license, passport, birth certificate)
- Proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, Social Security benefits statement)
- Proof of residency (utility bill, lease agreement, voter registration card)
- Social Security number
- Citizenship status (birth certificate, green card)
Eligibility:
To be eligible for Medi-Cal, you must meet certain eligibility requirements, including:
- Income:
- Your income must be at or below a certain level. The income limit varies depending on your family size and whether or not you have a disability.
- Assets:
- You must have limited assets, such as cash, bank accounts, and property. The asset limit varies depending on your family size and whether or not you have a disability.
- Citizenship:
- You must be a U.S. citizen, a permanent resident, or a qualified non-citizen.
- Residency:
- You must be a California resident.
| Family Size | Income Limit |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $1,628 per month |
| 2 people | $2,181 per month |
| 3 people | $2,735 per month |
| 4 people | $3,288 per month |
Medicaid in California
Medicaid is a government health insurance program for people with limited income and resources. In California, it is known as Medi-Cal.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for Medi-Cal, you must meet certain income and resource limits.
- Income Limits: Income limits vary depending on your family size and composition. For example, in 2023, the income limit for a single person is $1,768 per month. For a family of four, the income limit is $3,613 per month.
- Resource Limits: Resource limits also vary depending on your family size and composition. For example, in 2023, the resource limit for a single person is $2,000. For a family of four, the resource limit is $4,000.
There are also some special rules for eligibility. For example, pregnant women and children under the age of 19 are automatically eligible for Medi-Cal, regardless of their income or resources.
Resources for Medicaid Applicants
- Covered California: Covered California is the state’s health insurance marketplace. You can apply for Medi-Cal through Covered California.
- County Social Services Offices: You can also apply for Medi-Cal at your county social services office.
- Health Care Advocates: Health care advocates can help you apply for Medi-Cal and answer your questions about the program.
Applying for Medi-Cal
To apply for Medi-Cal, you will need to submit an application form. You can get an application form from Covered California, your county social services office, or a health care advocate. You can also download the application form online.
Once you have completed the application form, you will need to submit it to your county social services office. The social services office will review your application and determine if you are eligible for Medi-Cal.
If you are approved for Medi-Cal, you will receive a Medi-Cal card. Your Medi-Cal card will allow you to access healthcare services from Medi-Cal providers.
Medi-Cal Benefits
Medi-Cal covers a wide range of health care services, including:
- Doctor visits
- Hospitalization
- Prescription drugs
- Mental health services
- Substance abuse treatment
- Dental care
- Vision care
Medi-Cal also covers long-term care services, such as nursing home care and home health care.
| Family Size | Monthly Income Limit |
|---|---|
| 1 | $1,768 |
| 2 | $2,372 |
| 3 | $2,975 |
| 4 | $3,613 |
| 5 | $4,252 |
| 6 | $4,890 |
| 7 | $5,529 |
| 8 | $6,168 |
| Family Size | Resource Limit |
|---|---|
| 1 | $2,000 |
| 2 | $3,000 |
| 3 | $4,000 |
| 4 | $5,000 |
| 5 | $6,000 |
| 6 | $7,000 |
| 7 | $8,000 |
| 8 | $9,000 |
Alright, folks, that about wraps things up for our adventure into the world of Medicaid eligibility in California. Hope it’s been a wild ride and you’ve discovered all the nooks and crannies of the process. Keep in mind, this info is like a living, breathing thing, always changing and growing, so be sure to swing by again later for the latest updates. In the meantime, stay happy, stay healthy, and we’ll be here waiting with open arms when you need us. Catch you on the flip side!