Children in California qualify for free or low-cost health coverage when their family’s income is at or below 266% of the federal poverty level. California runs its Children’s Health Insurance Program funding through Medi-Cal, so the CHIP California income limits by household size are simply the Medi-Cal for Children limits. For 2026, that ceiling is about $57,563 a year for a household of two, $72,672 for three, and $87,780 for four.
2026 Income Limits by Household Size
Eligibility is measured against the federal poverty level, which is updated each January. Children from birth through age 18 qualify at up to 266% of the FPL.1Covered California. Program Eligibility by Federal Poverty Level for 2026 The 2026 monthly and annual ceilings are:2California Department of Health Care Services. DHCS Letter 26-01 – 2026 Federal Poverty Levels
- Household of 2: $4,799 per month, $57,563 per year
- Household of 3: $6,057 per month, $72,672 per year
- Household of 4: $7,315 per month, $87,780 per year
- Household of 5: $8,576 per month, $102,889 per year
- Household of 6: $9,835 per month, $117,998 per year
For households larger than six, add about $1,524 per month, or $18,290 per year, for each additional person. These figures come from the 2026 federal poverty guidelines published by the Department of Health and Human Services.3HealthCare.gov. Federal Poverty Level (FPL)
How the 266% Figure Works
The 266% ceiling already has a cushion built in. Under the Affordable Care Act, income measured under MAGI-based rules gets a 5 percentage point disregard. The written eligibility standard for children is 261% of the FPL, and the disregard effectively raises it to 266%.4Medicaid.gov. With Respect to MAGI Conversion, How Will the 5% Disregard Be Applied You don’t need to work the math yourself. If your household income falls at or below the numbers above, your child qualifies.
Below 138% of the FPL, children are covered through the standard Medicaid portion of Medi-Cal. Between 138% and 266%, they are covered using federal CHIP dollars. The distinction is invisible to families. Both groups get the same full-scope Medi-Cal benefits.5California Department of Health Care Services. Income Eligibility Comparison Chart
Higher Limits in San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara Counties
Children living in San Francisco, San Mateo, or Santa Clara County may qualify under the County Children’s Health Initiative Program (CCHIP). CCHIP covers children in families earning between 266% and 322% of the FPL.1Covered California. Program Eligibility by Federal Poverty Level for 2026 For a family of four in 2026, that extends the ceiling to roughly $106,260 a year.
CCHIP carries a premium of $13 per month per child, capped at $39 per family.6Covered California. What Does Medi-Cal for Children Cost? Parents on a Covered California plan whose children qualify for CCHIP should enroll the kids in CCHIP; declining it means the children can only go on a full-cost, unsubsidized marketplace plan.7Covered California. Parents in Covered California, Kids in CCHIP
What Counts as Income
California uses Modified Adjusted Gross Income to test eligibility. MAGI starts with the adjusted gross income from your federal tax return and adds back three things when they apply: non-taxable Social Security benefits, tax-exempt interest, and untaxed foreign income.8HealthCare.gov. Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) – Glossary For most families the result matches, or nearly matches, their AGI.
Countable income includes wages, self-employment earnings, unemployment, and retirement income. One point that surprises applicants: MAGI-based eligibility ignores assets. Savings, property, vehicles, and investments don’t factor in. The only question is how much income your household earns.
Self-Employment
Self-employed applicants may be asked to verify income with a self-employment ledger. There’s no required format. A spreadsheet, accounting software printout, or handwritten record works, as long as it’s accurate and detailed.9HealthCare.gov. Reporting Self-Employment Income to the Marketplace For MAGI purposes, self-employment income is net earnings after business expenses, not gross revenue.
Whose Income Counts
The household follows tax filing rules. If you file jointly, both spouses’ income counts. If your child is claimed as your dependent, the child’s own income counts only when it’s high enough to require a tax filing. A teenager with a small part-time paycheck typically won’t affect eligibility.
Other Requirements Beyond Income
Income is the main hurdle, but a few other rules apply.
Residency
The child must live in California with the intent to stay. For a child living with parents, residency follows the parents. Even parents who don’t meet residency requirements themselves can establish California residency for their children if they intend for the children to remain in the state.10Legal Information Institute. California Code of Regulations Title 22 Section 50320 – California Residence – General
Age
Children qualify from birth through age 18. Coverage ends the month the child turns 19, at which point the adult income limit of 138% of the FPL applies instead of 266%.
Immigration Status
California provides full-scope Medi-Cal to all income-eligible children regardless of immigration status, using state funds where federal Medicaid doesn’t apply. As of January 1, 2024, California extended full-scope Medi-Cal to all income-eligible adults as well.11California Department of Health Care Services. Ages 26 Through 49 Adult Full Scope Medi-Cal Expansion In mixed-status households, each member’s eligibility is determined individually. Applying for your child does not trigger immigration enforcement.
What It Costs
For most eligible families, children’s Medi-Cal is free. No monthly premiums, no deductibles, no copays on most services.6Covered California. What Does Medi-Cal for Children Cost? Some children in the CHIP-funded income range (138%–266% FPL) or in CCHIP pay $13 per child per month, capped at $39 per family. The Covered California application will tell you whether any fee applies.
How to Apply
The fastest route is Covered California at CoveredCA.com. A single application checks eligibility for both Medi-Cal and marketplace coverage, so you don’t need to sort out which program fits before you start.12Covered California. How Do I Apply for Medi-Cal? You can also apply through BenefitsCal.com or in person at your county human services office.13Covered California. Get Started – How to Apply Phone applications go through Covered California at (800) 300-1506, and mail-in forms are available in 11 languages. Certified enrollment counselors will help for free.
Federal rules give the state up to 45 days to process a MAGI-based application, or 90 days if disability is involved.14Medicaid.gov. Ensuring Timely and Accurate Medicaid and CHIP Eligibility Determinations at Application Straightforward applications often clear faster. If yours passes 45 days without word, contact the county office or Covered California to check status.
Once your child is approved, coverage stays in place for a full 12 months even if your income rises during that period.15Medicaid.gov. Continuous Eligibility for Medicaid and CHIP Coverage A raise or extra hours mid-year won’t cost your child coverage until the next renewal.