Am I eligible for Medi-Cal?

If you live in California, you can qualify for full Medi-Cal coverage in a few different ways:

First: You may be eligible for Medi-Cal if:

    You’re a California resident or you’re lawfully present in the U.S.,[1565] and
    You have limited income.[1566]

Helpful hintHow does Medi-Cal define “limited income”?

The limit is defined as 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). The FPL varies based on family size, and it changes from year to year. Because the income limit changes, each year, ask your county welfare agency for exact numbers when you’re ready to apply.

Second: You may be automatically eligible for Medi-Cal if you (1) meet the income requirements, and (2) fall into one of these special categories:

    Adults age 65 and older
    Blind or disabled individuals
    Children under age 21
    Pregnant women
    Women diagnosed with breast and/or cervical cancer
    Parents or caretakers of disadvantaged children under 21
    Residents in skilled nursing or intermediate care homes
    Individuals enrolled in certain other public benefits programs, including CalWORKs, SSI/SSP, Refugee Assistance Program, In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS), Foster Care or Adoption Assistance Program.[1567]

To find out if you’re eligible for full or partial health care coverage through Medi-Cal, contact your county welfare agency. For a statewide directory of county welfare agencies, see Appendix A, on PG. 505. You may also seek to apply using a paper application.[1568]

Helpful HintQualifying for Medi-Cal Because of a Disability:

If you think you qualify for Medi-Cal based on a disability, contact your county Medi-Cal office before you apply. Also, if you are homebound or living in an assisted care facility, you can ask to have a Medi-Cal representative visit you and help complete your application in person. For a statewide directory of county social services offices, see Appendix A, PG. 505.[1569]

  1. 1565

    If you’re a legally present noncitizen (“lawful permanent resident,” “green card holder”) with limited income, you may qualify for partial or full Medi-Cal coverage—depending on the details of your status and your exact income. If you’re not lawfully present (i.e. undocumented), you may be able to get Medi-Cal coverage for emergencies or pregnancies, but not full Medi-Cal coverage. Medi-Cal: The Details, Disability Benefits 101, http://ca.db101.org/ca/programs/health_coverage/medi_cal/program2.htm. ↑

  2. 1566

    Do You Qualify for Medi-Cal, State of Cal. Health & Human Servs. Dep’t of Healthcare Servs. http://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal/Pages/DoYouQualifyForMedi-Cal.aspx. ↑

  3. 1567

    Check Medi-Cal Eligibility, CalQualityCare.org, http://www.calqualitycare.org/learn/nursing-homes/pay/medical. ↑

  4. 1568

    Or, if you have Internet access and a printer, download and print it at How to Apply, Covered California, http://www.coveredca.com/apply/. ↑

  5. 1569

    Check Medi-Cal Eligibility, CalQualityCare.org, http://www.calqualitycare.org/learn/nursing-homes/pay/medical. Online listing available here: http://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal/Pages/CountyOffices.aspx. ↑