California Medicare Savings Program Income Limits 2026

The 2026 Income Limits, Program by Program

California updates its Medicare Savings Program income limits every year when the federal poverty level changes. For 2026, the monthly gross income limits are:

But these headline numbers aren't the real cutoffs. California applies mandatory income disregards that push the effective limits higher.

How the $20 Disregard Changes Everything

Every MSP applicant gets a $20 per month general unearned income disregard. This is subtracted from Social Security, pension income, or any other unearned income before comparing to the limit.

The math is straightforward: if your parent receives $1,340 per month from Social Security, their countable income is $1,320 — well under the $1,330 QMB gross limit. The countable income ceilings (reflecting the $20 disregard) are:

• QMB: $1,350 single / $1,824 couple
• SLMB: $1,616 single / $2,184 couple
• QI: $1,816 single / $2,455 couple

Someone with gross income of $1,810 looks like they're over the QI limit of $1,796. After the $20 disregard, their countable income is $1,790 — and they qualify. This is why you should always apply even if your parent's income sits slightly above the published limit.

Earned Income Gets a Bigger Disregard

If your parent still works part-time, the math tilts further in their favor. Earned income gets two deductions: a $65 monthly disregard, then 50% of whatever remains.

A parent earning $400 per month from part-time work would see their countable earned income calculated as: $400 − $65 = $335, then $335 × 50% = $167.50. Only $167.50 counts toward the income limit — not the full $400.

Any leftover from the $20 general disregard that wasn't used against unearned income also applies to earned income first.

How Spouse Income Works

When a married couple lives together, the county evaluates combined household income against the couple threshold — regardless of whether one or both spouses have Medicare.

If only one spouse is on Medicare and applying for MSP, both incomes still count, but the couple limit is significantly higher than the single limit. A couple with $2,100 combined monthly income is under the SLMB couple limit of $2,165.

When spouses live apart, each is evaluated as a single individual starting the month after separation. The other spouse's income is no longer deemed to the applicant.

An adult child's income is never counted. Even if your parent lives with you, the county looks only at the parent (and their spouse, if applicable) for MSP eligibility. Your paycheck, your savings — irrelevant.

The March COLA Timing Rule

For MSP applicants and recipients with Title II Social Security income, California applies the FPL update on March 1. The January COLA increase is disregarded until then, preventing it from pushing beneficiaries over the limit before the updated thresholds take effect.

If your parent's Title II Social Security increased in January 2026, that COLA increase is disregarded until March 1, when the updated 2026 limits take effect.

Check Eligibility With the Full Picture

These income rules interact with asset limits, disregards, and the specific forms California requires. Our California Medicare Savings Programs & Extra Help Guide includes worked examples for every program tier — showing the exact math with the disregards applied — so you can determine which program fits your parent's situation before filing.

See more California guides →