For 2026, New York has updated its Medicaid income and resource standards using the new federal poverty guidelines. The 2026 figures apply retroactively to January 1, 2026.

This guide explains the major New York Medicaid eligibility rules, the 2026 Medicaid income limits, the 2026 Federal Poverty Guidelines, and how to apply.

Important: Medicaid eligibility can depend on circumstances that are not captured by a simple income chart. The figures below are intended as a general guide. New York State or your local Medicaid agency makes the official eligibility determination.

What Is Medicaid?

Medicaid is a federal and state health insurance program for eligible people with limited income and resources. In New York, Medicaid can cover medical care as well as qualifying long-term care and home- and community-based services.

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Who Can Qualify for Medicaid in New York?

Understanding MAGI vs. Non-MAGI Medicaid

One of the most important things to understand about New York Medicaid is that there is not one income limit that applies to everyone.

MAGI Medicaid

MAGI stands for Modified Adjusted Gross Income.

MAGI rules generally apply to groups such as:

• Adults ages 19–64 who are not eligible for Medicare
• Children
• Infants
• Pregnant individuals
• Parents and caretaker relatives

NY State of Health uses MAGI rules when determining eligibility for these groups.

Generally, MAGI Medicaid does not use the same type of asset/resource test that applies to many non-MAGI applicants.

Non-MAGI Medicaid

Non-MAGI rules generally apply to certain people who are:

• Age 65 or older
• Blind
• Disabled
• Eligible for Medicare
• Applying for Medicaid based on certain long-term-care needs

For these categories, both income and resources may be important.

New York’s 2026 non-MAGI Medicaid resource limit is $33,038 for one person and $44,796 for two people in the applicable categories.

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What is the Medicaid income limit in New York for 2026?

For many adults and parents/caretaker relatives, the 2026 limit is 138% of the Federal Poverty Level, or $1,836 per month for a household of one.

Children, pregnant individuals, older adults, and people with disabilities may be subject to different income and resource rules.

What is 138% of the Federal Poverty Level in 2026?

For a household of one, 138% FPL is $1,836 per month.

For a household of two, it is $2,489 per month.

For a household of three, it is $3,142 per month.

For a household of four, it is $3,795 per month.

What is the 2026 Federal Poverty Level for one person?

The 2026 federal poverty guideline for one person in the 48 contiguous states and D.C. is $15,960 per year, or approximately $1,330 per month.

2026 New York Medicaid Income Limits at a Glance

For many applicants, the most important numbers to remember are:

Category	2026 Income Standard
Adults/parents/caretaker relatives	138% FPL
Children ages 1–18	154% FPL
Infants under age 1	223% FPL
Pregnant individuals	223% FPL
Applicable age 65+/blind/disabled Medicaid	138% FPL
Applicable non-MAGI resource limit — individual	$33,038
Applicable non-MAGI resource limit — couple	$44,796

These standards are based on New York’s 2026 Medicaid income and resource standards. Individual eligibility can depend on additional factors and Medicaid budgeting rules.

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2026 Medicaid Income Limits for Children

Children can qualify for Medicaid at income levels that are higher than the standard 138% FPL adult threshold.

For 2026:

Children ages 1–18 — 154% FPL

Household Size	Monthly Income Limit
1	$2,049
2	$2,778
3	$3,507
4	$4,235
Each additional person	+$729

Infants under age 1 — 223% FPL

Household Size	Monthly Income Limit
1	$2,966
2	$4,022
3	$5,077
4	$6,133
Each additional person	+$1,056

Pregnant individuals are also subject to the 223% FPL income level for this category, and household-size calculations include expected children.

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2026 Medicaid Income and Resource Limits for People Age 65+, Blind or Disabled

For people who qualify under the applicable non-MAGI categories, the 2026 Medicaid income standard is:

Household Size	Monthly Income	Annual Income
1	$1,836	$22,032*
2	$2,489	$29,868*
Each additional person	+$654/month	+$7,848/year*

*Annualized monthly figures are provided for illustration. Medicaid budgeting can use specific income-counting rules and disregards, so an applicant should not determine eligibility solely by multiplying monthly income by 12.

The 2026 resource standard for applicable non-MAGI Medicaid categories is:

• $33,038 for one person
• $44,796 for two people

The resource test can involve assets such as bank accounts and other countable resources. Certain assets may be exempt under Medicaid rules.

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What Counts as Income for Medicaid?

The way income is counted depends on the Medicaid category.

For MAGI applicants, income is generally determined using MAGI rules based largely on federal tax concepts, with certain Medicaid-specific adjustments.

For non-MAGI applicants, Medicaid uses different budgeting rules.

Potential sources of income can include:

• Wages
• Salaries
• Self-employment income
• Social Security
• Pension income
• Retirement income
• Interest
• Dividends
• Unemployment benefits
• Other taxable or countable income

Do not assume that your gross paycheck automatically equals the income Medicaid will use to determine eligibility.

The Medicaid agency applies the rules for the applicant’s specific eligibility category.

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What Are the Medicaid Resource Limits in 2026?

Resources are different from income.

Income is money coming into your household.

Resources are assets or property you own that may be counted when determining eligibility.

Not every asset is necessarily counted.

New York Medicaid rules may allow an eligible person to own certain property while remaining eligible. For example, an individual’s primary residence and certain personal property may receive special treatment under Medicaid rules.

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Can I Qualify for Medicaid if My Income Is Too High?

Possibly.

An income level shown on a standard Medicaid chart does not necessarily mean that everyone above that amount is automatically excluded from every form of Medicaid.

For certain populations, New York has programs and eligibility pathways that may allow people with higher income to qualify after accounting for allowable medical expenses or other deductions.

For example, New York has an Excess Income Program for certain Medicaid applicants and recipients.

People who are age 65 or older, blind, disabled, pregnant, under age 21, or in certain other categories may have additional eligibility pathways.

New York specifically notes that some individuals with income above the standard Medicaid levels may still qualify when they have qualifying medical bills.

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What About People Who Have Medicare?

Having Medicare does not automatically mean that you cannot receive Medicaid.

Some people qualify for both programs. These individuals are sometimes referred to as dual-eligible beneficiaries.

New York’s 2026 income and resource standards for full Medicaid for certain Medicare beneficiaries are:

• $1,836 per month for an individual
• $2,489 per month for a couple
• $33,038 resource limit for an individual
• $44,796 resource limit for a couple

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Does Immigration Status Affect Medicaid Eligibility?

Immigration status can affect eligibility for full Medicaid, but the rules are not identical for every category of applicant.

New York Medicaid has specific citizenship and immigration documentation requirements.

There are also circumstances in which Medicaid coverage can be available regardless of immigration status, including certain emergency medical situations and pregnancy, when the other eligibility requirements are met.

New York’s 2026 Medicaid guidance also includes updated citizenship and identity documentation requirements.

Because immigration-related Medicaid rules can be particularly complicated, applicants should obtain individualized guidance rather than assuming that a particular immigration status automatically qualifies or disqualifies them.

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How to Apply for Medicaid in New York

New Yorkers can apply through several different channels depending on their eligibility category.

1. Apply Through NY State of Health

NY State of Health is New York’s official health insurance marketplace.

It determines eligibility using MAGI rules for many applicants, including:

• Adults ages 19–64 who are not eligible for Medicare
• Children
• Infants
• Pregnant individuals
• Parents and caretaker relatives

NY State of Health also handles certain other Medicaid-related eligibility categories as New York continues to modernize its Medicaid enrollment system.

Applicants can receive free assistance from enrollment assisters.

The NY State of Health Customer Service Center can be reached at:

1-855-355-5777

TTY:

1-800-662-1220

2. Apply Through Your Local Department of Social Services

Some applicants need to apply through their Local Department of Social Services (LDSS).

This can include certain people applying under non-MAGI Medicaid categories.

New York’s Medicaid application instructions explain that where you apply depends on your eligibility category. If you begin in the wrong place, representatives can help direct you to the appropriate application process.

3. Apply Through a Managed Care Organization

Some New Yorkers can receive application assistance through a participating Medicaid managed care organization.

4. Call the Medicaid Helpline

New York’s Medicaid Helpline is:

1-800-541-2831

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What Documents Do I Need to Apply for Medicaid?

The exact documents required can vary depending on your eligibility category.

You may be asked to provide information or documentation relating to:

• Identity
• New York State residency
• Citizenship or immigration status
• Household size
• Income
• Other health insurance
• Medicare coverage
• Resources or assets, when applicable

Examples of documents that may be useful include:

• Government-issued identification
• Birth certificate
• Social Security documentation
• Proof of income
• Recent pay stubs
• Tax information
• Social Security award letters
• Bank statements, when applicable
• Proof of residence
• Insurance cards or policy information
• Medicare card, when applicable

NY State of Health may be able to verify certain information electronically. Applicants should provide documentation if the Marketplace or Medicaid agency requests it.

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Medicaid Renewals and Changes in 2026

Medicaid eligibility does not necessarily remain unchanged indefinitely.

New York has made significant changes to Medicaid renewal and continuous-eligibility rules in 2026.

For example, New York discontinued certain expanded continuous-eligibility arrangements for children through age six and discontinued 12-month continuous eligibility for adults under the relevant demonstration authority. Pregnant individuals and people through 12 months postpartum continue to receive 12-month continuous eligibility under the applicable rules.

This makes it particularly important to keep your information current and respond to renewal notices.

Do not assume that being enrolled today means you can ignore future renewal notices.

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Medicaid and Long-Term Care in New York

Medicaid plays an important role in paying for long-term care for eligible New Yorkers.

Long-term care can include services provided in:

• Nursing facilities
• A person’s home
• Community-based settings

The financial rules for long-term-care Medicaid can be substantially more complicated than the basic income limits for adults applying for MAGI Medicaid.

For example, 2026 New York standards include special rules involving:

• Spousal resource allowances
• Community spouse protections
• Home equity
• Income allowances
• Long-term-care resource limits

Medicaid can also pay for qualifying long-term care and home- and community-based services. For New Yorkers who need assistance with activities of daily living, Medicaid eligibility may be the first step toward qualifying for programs such as CDPAP.

Because long-term-care Medicaid rules are highly fact-specific, anyone planning for nursing home care or home-based long-term services should consider obtaining professional advice before transferring assets or making other major financial decisions.

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Frequently Asked Questions About New York Medicaid in 2026

What is the Medicaid resource limit in New York in 2026?

For applicable non-MAGI Medicaid categories, the 2026 resource limit is $33,038 for one person and $44,796 for two people.

Can I qualify for Medicaid if I own a home?

Possibly.

Owning a home does not automatically make someone ineligible for Medicaid. Certain property can be excluded from the resource calculation, and the rules differ depending on the Medicaid category.

Home-equity rules can become particularly important when someone is applying for Medicaid to cover long-term care.

Can I qualify for Medicaid if I have Medicare?

Yes. Some New Yorkers qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid.

New York also has Medicare Savings Programs that can help eligible Medicare beneficiaries with Medicare costs.

Where do I apply for Medicaid in New York?

Many applicants can apply through NY State of Health. Certain non-MAGI applicants may need to apply through their Local Department of Social Services.

You can also contact the New York Medicaid Helpline at 1-800-541-2831.

Does Medicaid cover home care?

Medicaid can cover certain home and community-based services for eligible individuals, but eligibility and authorization requirements depend on the person’s circumstances and the particular service.

People seeking Medicaid-funded long-term care should carefully review the applicable eligibility requirements.

Do Medicaid income limits change every year?

Yes. Medicaid income and resource standards can be adjusted as federal poverty guidelines and New York State rules change.

For 2026, New York’s updated Medicaid standards were issued following the release of the 2026 federal poverty guidelines, and the new standards are effective retroactively to January 1, 2026.

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Understanding New York Medicaid in 2026

New York Medicaid eligibility is based on more than simply whether your income is “low enough.”

Your eligibility can depend on:

• Age
• Household size
• Income
• Pregnancy
• Disability
• Medicare status
• Resources
• Citizenship or immigration status
• Whether you need long-term care
• Which Medicaid eligibility category applies to you

For 2026, the most commonly referenced Medicaid income standard for adults is 138% of the Federal Poverty Level, which equals $1,836 per month for one person and $2,489 per month for two people. Children and pregnant individuals can qualify at higher income levels, including 154% FPL for many children and 223% FPL for infants and pregnant individuals.

The applicable non-MAGI resource limits are $33,038 for an individual and $44,796 for a couple.

Because Medicaid rules can vary substantially based on an applicant’s circumstances, the best way to determine eligibility is to submit an application through the appropriate New York Medicaid enrollment channel.

For official information and assistance, visit NY State of Health or contact the New York Medicaid Helpline at 1-800-541-2831.

2026 figures in this article are based on New York State Department of Health Medicaid guidance and the 2026 Federal Poverty Guidelines. Medicaid standards can change, so applicants should verify the current requirements before applying or making financial decisions.