Short answer
What are the income limits for Medicaid in Texas in 2026?
Texas Medicaid limits depend on who needs coverage. For a family of three, the official monthly limit is $4,508 for pregnancy and $3,028 to $4,508 for children, by age, effective March 1, 2026. (Texas HHSC, Texas Works Handbook C-130) Parent limits are small fixed amounts, and the state application sends adults not caring for a child to HealthCare.gov unless they are refugees. (Texas HHSC, Texas Works Handbook A-110)
| Group | Official monthly limit, family of 3 | Effective | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pregnant women (198% of poverty) | $4,508 | March 1, 2026 | C-131.1 |
| Children under 1 (198%) | $4,508 | March 1, 2026 | C-131.1 |
| Children 1 to 5 (144%) | $3,279 | March 1, 2026 | C-131.1 |
| Children 6 to 18 (133%) | $3,028 | March 1, 2026 | C-131.1 |
| CHIP, children over the Medicaid limit (201%) | $4,577 | March 1, 2026 | C-131.1 |
| Parents and Caretaker Relatives, one parent | $230 | October 1, 2015 (still current) | C-131.2 |
Source: Texas HHSC, Texas Works Handbook C-130 Medical Programs. Verified .
Texas HHSC decides eligibility. Benefit Bull is free and never submits applications for you.
Texas sets most Medicaid limits as a percent of the federal poverty level, and the percent changes by group. Babies, pregnant women, and children each have their own line. (Texas HHSC, Texas Works Handbook C-130)
Find your group below, then your family size. If income is above Medicaid, children and pregnant women may still have a path through CHIP.
What is the Texas Medicaid income limit for pregnant women?
Texas covers pregnant women up to 198 percent of the poverty level. Coverage lasts through the pregnancy and up to 12 months after the baby is born. (Texas HHSC, Texas Works Handbook C-130) (Texas HHSC, Medicaid for Pregnant Women and CHIP Perinatal)
| Family size | Monthly family income (official limit) |
|---|---|
| 1 | $2,634 |
| 2 | $3,571 |
| 3 | $4,508 |
| 4 | $5,445 |
| 5 | $6,383 |
| Each additional person | +$938 |
Income here means what the family earns before taxes. (Texas HHSC, Medicaid for Pregnant Women and CHIP Perinatal) Texas counts the expected number of unborn children in the household size. (Texas HHSC, Texas Works Handbook A-240)
Apply as soon as you know you are pregnant. Texas can start coverage the first day of the month the pregnancy starts. (Texas HHSC, Texas Works Handbook A-820)
What are the income limits for Children's Medicaid in Texas?
Texas uses three child limits: 198 percent of poverty for infants under 1, 144 percent for ages 1 to 5, and 133 percent for ages 6 to 18. Children in the oldest group stay eligible through the month of their 19th birthday. (Texas HHSC, Texas Works Handbook C-130) (Texas HHSC, Texas Works Handbook A-240)
| Family size | Under age 1 (198%) | Ages 1 to 5 (144%) | Ages 6 to 18 (133%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2,634 | $1,916 | $1,769 |
| 2 | $3,571 | $2,597 | $2,399 |
| 3 | $4,508 | $3,279 | $3,028 |
| 4 | $5,445 | $3,960 | $3,658 |
| 5 | $6,383 | $4,642 | $4,288 |
| 6 | $7,320 | $5,324 | $4,917 |
| Each additional person | +$938 | +$682 | +$630 |
Look at each child's age separately. In one family, the baby may qualify for Medicaid while an older sibling goes to CHIP.
Who is not eligible for Medicaid in Texas?
Most adults without children in the home. On the state application, an adult not caring for a child is sent to HealthCare.gov unless they identify as a refugee. (Texas HHSC, Texas Works Handbook A-110) Older adults and people with disabilities follow separate Medicaid rules with their own income and resource charts. (Texas HHSC, MEPD Handbook Appendix L)
Most parents above very low fixed limits. Texas Parents and Caretaker Relatives Medicaid uses fixed dollar amounts, not a poverty percent: $230 a month for a one parent family of three and $285 for a two parent family of four. These amounts have been in effect since October 1, 2015. (Texas HHSC, Texas Works Handbook C-130) Many working parents may be over that limit even when their children may qualify.
People who do not meet the citizenship rule. To get Medicaid, you must be a U.S. citizen or a qualified non-citizen. (Texas HHSC, Medicaid for Pregnant Women and CHIP Perinatal) Pregnant women, children, and parents who meet every other rule but not this one can be covered only for an emergency medical condition. (Texas HHSC, Texas Works Handbook A-240)
For comparison, Indiana covers most adults ages 19 to 64 through its HIP program: see Indiana Medicaid income limits.
If you are a parent, apply for the whole household anyway. The state screens each person for every program they may qualify for.
What if your income is too high for Medicaid?
CHIP covers children under 19 whose family income is above the Children's Medicaid limit but at or below 201 percent of poverty. When you apply for children's coverage, the state checks Medicaid first and then CHIP, so you do not file twice. (Texas HHSC, Texas Works Handbook D-110)
The official CHIP limit is $2,674 a month for a family of one and $5,528 for a family of four. (Texas HHSC, Texas Works Handbook C-130) Families with net income above 151 percent of poverty pay an enrollment fee, and most families have copays. (Texas HHSC, Texas Works Handbook D-110)
CHIP Perinatal is for pregnant women who do not qualify for Medicaid and have no other insurance. The official limit is $2,687 a month for a family of one and $5,555 for a family of four. It covers care during pregnancy and two doctor visits within 60 days after. (Texas HHSC, Medicaid for Pregnant Women and CHIP Perinatal)
Pregnant women and children over the Medicaid limits may also be considered for Medically Needy coverage with a spend down. (Texas HHSC, Texas Works Handbook A-240) If you apply through HealthCare.gov, you are also assessed for Medicaid. (Texas HHSC, Texas Works Handbook A-110)
Do not skip applying because you think you earn too much. One application checks Medicaid and CHIP together.
What is the fastest way to apply for Medicaid in Texas?
You apply through Texas HHSC. You can submit a Medicaid application online at YourTexasBenefits.com, at a local office, by mail, by fax, or by phone. (Texas HHSC, Texas Works Handbook A-110) HHSC does not rank these by speed. Online, you can apply at any hour, and you see only the questions for the programs you pick. (Texas HHSC, Texas Works Handbook A-110)
For help with your benefits, call 2-1-1 or 877-541-7905, choose a language, then choose Option 2. For services in your area, choose Option 1. (Texas HHSC, Contact)
Applying is free. You submit your application yourself on the official site. Benefit Bull is free and never files for you.
Have pay stubs for the last month and IDs for everyone applying ready before you start.
Which Texas Medicaid numbers matter most?
- $3,571
- Official monthly income limit, pregnant woman, family of 2
- $3,658
- Official monthly income limit, child 6 to 18, family of 4
- 201%
- CHIP income ceiling, percent of poverty
- 12 months
- Postpartum coverage after the baby is born
See which Texas health and food programs may fit your family, with estimated values and official links.
Sources: (Texas HHSC, Texas Works Handbook C-130) (Texas HHSC, Medicaid for Pregnant Women and CHIP Perinatal) (Texas HHSC, Texas Works Handbook D-110)
What this adds up to
In Texas, children and pregnant women have real room under the limits, while most adults do not. If a child or pregnancy is in the picture, your household may qualify for Medicaid or CHIP even with a full time income. Texas HHSC makes the final decision.
Sources
Every claim above links to the source it came from. Figures checked October 2026. Last updated October 17, 2026.
- Texas HHSC, Texas Works Handbook C-130 Medical Programs (C-131.1, C-131.2) (accessed October 17, 2026)
- Texas HHSC, Medicaid for Pregnant Women and CHIP Perinatal (accessed October 17, 2026)
- Texas HHSC, Texas Works Handbook A-240 Medical Programs (household composition and program types) (accessed October 17, 2026)
- Texas HHSC, Texas Works Handbook A-110 Application Procedures (accessed October 17, 2026)
- Texas HHSC, Texas Works Handbook D-110 General Policy (CHIP) (accessed October 17, 2026)
- Texas HHSC, Texas Works Handbook A-820 Regular Medicaid Coverage (accessed October 17, 2026)
- Texas HHSC, Contact (accessed October 17, 2026)
- Texas HHSC, MEPD Handbook Appendix L, 2026 Income and Resources Reference Chart (accessed October 16, 2026)
- Texas HHSC, Your Texas Benefits (official HHSC application portal, named in Texas Works Handbook A-110) (accessed October 17, 2026)
