Medicaid Long Term Care Income Eligibility Chart
Seniors need to meet medical and financial requirements to qualify for Medicaid Long Term Care. The financial requirements are an asset limit and income limit. This article and the table below is focused on income. To learn more about assets, click here. Alternatively take an online Medicaid eligibility test that considers income, assets and home ownership.
An applicant’s income limit depends on the state where they live, their marital status, if their spouse is also applying and which of the three types of Medicaid Long Term Care they’re applying for – Nursing Home Medicaid, Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waivers or Aged, Blind and Disabled (ABD) Medicaid. The table below shows the possible 2026 income limits for all of those various circumstances in every state and Washington, D.C.
Most income is counted toward the limit, including wages, salary, royalties, Social Security benefits, IRA payouts, alimony, disability payments, annuity payouts, rental income and stock dividends. Some Veterans’ Affairs (VA) Pensions are counted as income, but not all. The VA Basic Pension is counted as income in all states, but the pensions for veterans who need long-term care, Aid & Attendance (A&A) and Housebound, are exempt in some states.
ATTENTION: Even if one’s income exceeds the limits listed below, there are alternative pathways to Medicaid eligibility via Medicaid Planning techniques. To learn more, contact a professional.
| Medicaid Long Term Care Income Limits per month for 2026 (unless other noted) by state, type of Medicaid and marital status | |||||||||
| State | Nursing Home Medicaid Single Applicant | Nursing Home Medicaid Married, One Applicant | Nursing Home Medicaid Married, Two Applicants | HCBS Waivers Single Applicant | HCBS Waivers Married, One Applicant | HCBS Waivers Married, Two Applicants | ABD Medicaid Single Income Limit | ABD Medicaid Married, One Applicant | ABD Medicaid Married, Two Applicants |
| Alabama | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $1,014 | $1,511 combined | $1,511 combined |
| Alaska | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $1,845 | $2,732 combined | $2,732 combined |
| Arizona | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $1,330 | $1,804 | $1,804 |
| Arkansas | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $1,043.33 (eff. April 2025 – March 2026) | $1,410 combined (eff. April 2025 – March 2026) | $1,410 combined (eff. April 2025 – March 2026) |
| California | No income limit* | No income limit* | No income limit* | $1,801 (eff. April 2025 – March 2026) | $1,801 (eff. April 2025 – March 2026) for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $2,433 combined (eff. April 2025 – March 2026) | $1,801 (eff. April 2025 – March 2026) for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $2,401 combined (eff. April 2025-March 2026) | $2,433 combined (eff. April 2025-March 2026) |
| Colorado | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $994 | $1,491 combined | $1,491 combined |
| Connecticut | Less than cost of care* | Less than cost of care* | Less than cost of care* | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $1,370 (eff. March 1, 2025) | $2,198 combined (eff. March 1, 2025) | $1,663 combined (eff. March 1, 2025) |
| Delaware | $2,485 | $2,485 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $2,417.50/spouse | $2,485 | $2,485 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $2,485/spouse | $994 | $1,491 combined | $1,491 combined |
| Florida | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $1,149 (eff. April 2025 – March 2026) | $1,552 combined (eff. April 2025 – March 2026) | $1,552 combined (eff. April 2025 – March 2026) |
| Georgia | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $994 | $1,491 combined | $1,491 combined |
| Hawaii | No income limit* | No income limit* | No income limit* | $1,530 | $1,530 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $1,530/spouse | $1,530 | $2,074.17 combined | $2,074.17 combined |
| Idaho | $3,002 | $3,002 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $6,004 combined | $3,002 | $3,002 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,984 combined | $1,047 | $1,511 combined | $1,511 combined |
| Illinois | $1,304 (eff. April 2025 – March 2026) | $1,304 (eff. April 2025 – March 2026) for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $1,762 combined (eff. April 2025 – March 2026) | $1,304 (eff. April 2025 – March 2026) | $1,304 (eff. April 2025 – March 2026) for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $1,762 combined (eff. April 2025 – March 2026) | $1,304 (eff. April 2025 – March 2026) | $1,762 combined (eff. April 2025 – March 2026) | $1,762 combined (eff. April 2025 – March 2026) |
| Indiana | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $1,330 (eff. March 2026 – Feb. 2027) | $1,803.33 combined (eff. March 2026 – Feb. 2027) | $1,803.33 combined (eff. March 2026 – Feb. 2027) |
| Iowa | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $994 | $1,491 combined | $1,491 combined |
| Kansas | No income limit* | No income limit* | No income limit* | No income limit* | No income limit* | No income limit* | $967 | $1,450 combined | $1,450 combined |
| Kentucky | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $235 | $291 combined | $291 combined |
| Louisiana | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $994 | $1,491 combined | $1,491 combined |
| Maine | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $1,330 | $1,803.33 combined | $1,803.33 combined |
| Maryland | Less than cost of care* | Less than cost of care* | Less than cost of care* | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $350 | $392 combined | $392 combined |
| Mass. | No set limit | No set limit | No set limit | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $1,330 (eff. Mar. 2026 – Feb. 2027) | $1,803.33 combined (eff. Mar. 2026 – Feb. 2027) | $1,803.33 combined (eff. Mar. 2026 – Feb. 2027) |
| Michigan | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $1,305 (eff. April 1, 2025) | $1,763 combined (eff. April 1, 2025) | $1,763 combined (eff. April 1, 2025) |
| Minnesota | $1,305 (eff. July 2025 – June 2026) | $1,305 (eff. July 2025 – June 2026) for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $1,764 combined (eff. July 2025 -June 2026) | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $1,305 (eff. July 2025 – June 2026) | $1,764 combined (eff. July 2025 -June 2026) | $1,764 combined (eff. July 2025 -June 2026) |
| Mississippi | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $994 | $1,491 combined | $1,491 combined |
| Missouri | No income limit* | No income limit* | No income limit* | $1,109 or $1,737 | $1,690 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $1,109 or $1,737/spouse | $1,109 (eff. April 2025 – March 2026) | $1,499 combined (eff. April 2025 -March 2026) | $1,499 combined (eff. April 2025 -March 2026) |
| Montana | No income limit* | No income limit* | No income limit* | $994 | $994 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $994/spouse | $994 | $1,491 combined | $1,491 combined |
| Nebraska | $1,330 | $1,330 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $1,330/spouse | $1,330 | $1,330 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $1,330/spouse | $1,330 | $1,803.33 combined | $1,803.33 combined |
| Nevada | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $994 | $1,491 combined | $1,491 combined |
| New Hampshire | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $1,008 | $1,492 combined | $1,492 combined |
| New Jersey | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $1,330 | $1,803.33 combined | $1,803.33 combined |
| New Mexico | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $994 | $1,491 combined | $1,491 combined |
| New York | $1,836 | $1,836 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $2,489 combined | $1,836 | $1,836 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $2,489 combined | $1,836 | $2,489 combined | $2,489 combined |
| North Carolina | Less than the cost of care* | Less than the cost of care* | Less than the cost of care* | $1,305 (eff. April 2025 – March 2026) | $1,305 (eff. April 2025 – March 2026) for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $1,763 combined (eff. April 2025 – March 2026) | $1,305 (eff. April 2025 – March 2026) | $1,763 combined (eff. April 2025 – March 2026) | $1,763 combined (eff. April 2025 – March 2026) |
| North Dakota | No income limit* | No income limit* | No income limit* | $1,174 (eff. April 2025 – March 2026) | $1,174 (eff. April 2025 – March 2026) for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $1,587 combined (eff. April 2025 – March 2026) | $1,174 (eff. April 2025 – March 2026) | $1,587 combined (eff. April 2025 – March 2026) | $1,587 combined (eff. April 2025 – March 2026) |
| Ohio | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $994 | $1,491 combined | $1,491 combined |
| Oklahoma | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $1,325 | $1,783 combined | $1,783 combined |
| Oregon | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $994 | $1,491 combined | $1,491 combined |
| Pennsylvania | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $1,016.10 | $1,524.30 combined | $1,524.30 combined |
| Rhode Island | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $1,330 | $1,803.33 combined | $1,803.33 combined |
| South Carolina | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $1,330 (eff. Mar. 2026 – Feb. 2027) | $1,803.33 combined (eff. Mar. 2026 – Feb. 2027) | $1,803.33 combined (eff. Mar. 2026 – Feb. 2027) |
| South Dakota | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $994 | $1,491 combined | $1,491 combined |
| Tennessee | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $994 | $1,491 combined | $1,491 combined |
| Texas | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $994 | $1,491 combined | $1,491 combined |
| Utah | No income limit* | No income limit* | No income limit* | $1,330 or $2,982 | Waiver Dependent ($1,330 or $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted) | Waiver Dependent ($1,330 per spouse or $2,982 per spouse) | $1,330 (eff. Mar. 2026 – Feb. 2027) | $1,803.33 combined (eff. Mar. 2026 – Feb. 2027) | $1,803.33 combined (eff. Mar. 2026 – Feb. 2027) |
| Vermont | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $1,375 (may vary by county) | $1,375 combined (may vary by county) | $1,375 combined (may vary by county) |
| Virginia | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $1,064 | $1,442.66 combined | $1,442.66 combined |
| Washington | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $994 | $1,491 combined | $1,491 combined |
| Washington, DC | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $1,330 | $1,803.33 combined | $1,803.33 combined |
| West Virginia | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $994 | $1,491 combined | $1,491 combined |
| Wisconsin | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $1,077.78 | $1,623.05 combined | $1,623.05 combined |
| Wyoming | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $2,982 | $2,982 for the applicant, spouse’s income not counted | $5,964 combined | $994 | $1,491 combined | $1,491 combined |
*While the state does not have an upper limit on an applicant’s income, once enrolled in the Medicaid program, applicants must surrender all their income to Medicaid except for a small personal needs allowance which ranges from approximately $30 to $200/month, plus enough to make any Medicare premium payments if they are “dual eligible,” and, if they’re married, enough to make Medicaid-approved spousal income allowance payments.