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Children and Families

Medi-Cal provides comprehensive health coverage for children and families. Depending on income and family size, you and your family may be eligible to free or low-cost Medi-Cal. Your income must be within the limits for the appropriate family size based on the Federal Poverty Levels (FPL). If not eligible for free or low-cost Medi-Cal because your family’s income is above the FPL limits, then you can request to be evaluated for other Medi-Cal programs which may include coverage with a Share of Cost. Your worker can provide you with more information regarding which program is more beneficial to you.

Basic Eligibility Requirements
  • You and your family members requesting Medi-Cal must reside
    in California.
  • You must provide information about your family’s income,
    and verification of other necessary information if requested.
  • If you file income taxes, then you must declare your tax filing
    status, however, it is not required that you file taxes to apply
    for Medi-Cal.
  • You must be the parent or caretaker relative of at least one child under the age of 19 (or under 21 if a full-time student).
Income Requirements

Below are the income limits for both children and parents/caretaker relatives based on the Federal Poverty Levels (FPL) amounts.

 

Income Limits for Children Aged 0-19
Family Size

Infant

Age 0-1 

0-266% FPL

Child

Age 1-6

0-160% FPL

Child

Age 6-19

161 - 266% FPL

1$3,538$2,128$3,538
2$4,799$2,887$4,799
3$6,057$3,644$6,057
4$7,315$4,400$7,315
5$8,576$5,159$8,576
6$9,835$5,916$9,835
7$11,093$6,672$11,093
8$12,354$7,431$12,354
 NO PREMIUMNO PREMIUMPREMIUM*

* Optional Targeted Low-Income Children Program is a Medi-Cal premium payment program.  The premium has been reduced to zero dollar ($0).

 


Income Limits for Adults/Parents/Caretakers Aged 19-64
Family Size0-138% FPL
1$1,836
2$2,490
3$3,143
4$3,795
5$4,450
6$5,102
7$5,755
8$6,409

 

A family holding hands while walking
Apply On-Line with BenefitsCal

The easiest and quickest way is to apply for Medi-Cal online at BenefitsCal.

Apply By Phone
You can apply by phone. Call the Customer Service Center (CSC) (866) 613-3777 to have an application mailed to you.
Apply In Person
You can apply In person at any Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) District Office or outreach site.
Citizenship/Immigration Requirements

Beginning January 1, 2026, adults 19 years and older without a satisfactory immigration status (SIS), that apply on or after January 1, 2026, will receive restricted Medi-Cal, if eligibility criteria is met.

Beneficiaries with UIS who applied for Medi-Cal before January 1, 2026, and were found eligible, will continue receiving Full-Scope Medi-Cal from January 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.  Starting on July 1, 2027, they will transition to Full-Scope Medi-Cal with No Dental.  All primary care services and medications will remain covered, except dental services.

Children (0–18) and pregnant persons remain eligible to apply for
full-scope MC regardless of immigration status.

Frequently Asked Questions
Other Health Resources