What Is the Medi-Cal Asset Limit in 2026?

If you may need long term care after July 2027

If the federal government approves the change, getting Medi-Cal to pay for nursing home care from July 1, 2027 would mean spending countable assets down to $21,000 for one person. California Partnership policies carry Medi-Cal asset protection, but no insurer is currently selling new Partnership policies in California. That leaves private coverage, a traditional policy or a hybrid policy, as the remaining way to pay for care without spending savings down, and buying while you are healthy matters, as our California long term care guide explains. Medi-Cal planning itself is a question for an elder law attorney.

The income limits never went anywhere

Even while the asset limit was gone for two years, the income limits stayed in force the entire time, and they are still the first door you have to walk through. For seniors and people with disabilities, the Medi-Cal program based on the federal poverty level uses 138 percent of that level as its ceiling. In 2026 that works out to $1,836 a month for one person and $2,490 a month for a couple. One detail that helps many families: the state subtracts your Medicare Part B premium before comparing your income with that ceiling, no matter who pays the premium, so the figure that counts is lower than your gross income. These ceilings are updated every April 1. If your income lands a little above the line, do not give up. There are other doors, such as the Medicare Savings Programs described below, and a careful look at the deductions can change the outcome.

Medicare Savings Programs and Extra Help

The Medicare Savings Programs, which pay your Part B premium and, in the case of QMB, also Part A, deductibles and copayments, got their asset limit back on January 1, 2026: $130,000 for one person and $65,000 for each additional household member. California's 2026 monthly gross income ceilings are $1,330 for one person and $1,804 for a couple under QMB, $1,596 and $2,165 under SLMB, and $1,796 and $2,436 under QI, which is renewed every year. These are gross figures and deductions may apply, so it is worth applying even if you are slightly over. Our guide to the Medicare Savings Programs in California covers what each program pays and how to apply in Los Angeles County. Extra Help with prescription drugs is a federal program with its own 2026 ceilings: income of $23,940 for one person and $32,460 for a couple, and resources of $18,090 and $36,100. California's changes do not touch that limit. With full Medi-Cal, a Medicare Savings Program or SSI, Extra Help comes automatically, and in 2026 you pay no more than $12.65 for each covered drug.

Estate recovery and the next step

Many families fear Medi-Cal will take the house after a death. The reality is narrower. The state can only claim for services received from age 55 on, or for a person of any age who was permanently institutionalized, and only if assets were left in that person's name. For deaths on or after January 1, 2017, the claim is limited to property that goes through probate, and to payments for nursing home care, home and community based services, and related hospital care and prescription drugs. There is no claim when a spouse or registered domestic partner survives, or against property that passes by survivorship, trust, or transfer on death. The state can forgive the claim for hardship if you ask within 60 days of its letter, and waives it when the home is worth half or less of the county average. To go over your family's situation calmly and in your own language, call Lara Goulson at (818) 472-5484.

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