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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 1-19

0-160% FPL

Child

Age 1-19

161 - 266% FPL
1 $3,472 $2,008 $3,472
2 $4,690 $2,821 $4,690
3 $5,908 $3,554 $5,908
4 $7,129 $4,288 $7,129
5 $8,348 $5,021 $8,348
6 $9,566 $5,754 $9,566
7 $10,787 $6,488 $10,787
8 $12,005 $7,221 $12,005
  NO PREMIUM NO PREMIUM PREMIUM*

* 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 Size 0-138% FPL
1 $1,801
2 $2,433
3 $3,065
4 $3,699
5 $4,331
6 $4,963
7 $5,596
8 $6,228

 

 

 

Mother, father and two children all hands together and walking past a house between the trees
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

As of January 1, 2024, a new law in California gives full Medi-Cal to all Californians who qualify for Medi-Cal.  Unlike before, immigration status does not matter. This new law means that all California residents who qualify for Medi-Cal will receive full Medi-Cal benefits, bringing us closer to a Healthy California for All.

Frequently Asked Questions
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