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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 $2,088 $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

 

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

Currently, all California residents who meet eligibility requirements receive full scope Medi-Cal benefits regardless of immigration status.

Beginning January 1, 2026, adults 19 years and older with an unsatisfactory immigration status (UIS), 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, 2026.  Starting on July 1, 2026, 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