What Are Hawaii Medicaid Income Limits?

Last Updated: December 1, 2025

Hawaii Medicaid income limits set the maximum income to qualify for Med-QUEST coverage. Adults qualify at $2,068 monthly. Children qualify at $4,698 monthly for a single-person household.

Quick Facts:

• Hawaii calls Medicaid “Med-QUEST”
• 404,000 Hawaii residents have coverage
• No asset test for adults under 65
• Pregnant women get 12 months postpartum coverage
• Children keep coverage even if income changes
• Apply online in 15 minutes

Want to check if you qualify? Use the Med-QUEST eligibility calculator or view complete Medicaid income limits 2025 by state.

Here is the audio overview of this article for most important information on this article:

Quick Income Eligibility Checker

Can I qualify for Hawaii Medicaid?

Your Situation	Monthly Income Limit	You Qualify If…
Single adult (19-64)	$2,068	You earn less than $2,068/month
Pregnant woman	$2,941	You earn less than $2,941/month
Child under 19	$4,698	Family income under $4,698/month
Senior/Disabled	$1,500	You earn less than $1,500/month
Family of 4 (children)	$9,660	Family earns less than $9,660/month

Make too much? You might qualify for the spend-down program or income-based premium assistance through the Health Insurance Marketplace.

2025 Hawaii Medicaid Income Limits (MAGI Groups)

These limits use monthly income and household size.

Adults Age 19–64 (Expansion Group)

Income limit: 138% FPL

Household Size	Monthly Limit
1	$2,068
2	$2,798
3	$3,528
4	$4,258

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Pregnant Women (196% FPL)

Household Size	Monthly Limit
1	$2,941
2	$3,983
3	$5,026
4	$6,068

Good to know:
Pregnant members stay covered 12 months after birth.
Baby stays covered until age 1.

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Children (0–18) – 313% FPL

Same income limit for all kids under 19.

Household Size	Monthly Limit
1	$4,698
2	$6,353
3	$8,008
4	$9,663

New for 2025:

• Kids under age 6 get continuous coverage until age 6
• Kids ages 6–18 get 24 months continuous coverage

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Non-MAGI (Aged, Blind & Disabled) Income Limits (2025)

These groups use income + asset limits.

Group	Income (Individual)	Income (Couple)	Asset Limit
Aged, Blind, Disabled	$1,500/mo	$2,027/mo	$2,000 / $3,000
Nursing Home Medicaid	No set limit	No set limit	$2,000 / $3,000
HCBS Waiver	$1,500/mo	$1,500 each	$2,000 / $3,000
Medically Needy	$469/mo	$632/mo	$2,000 / $3,000

Special Long-Term Care Rules:

• Home equity limit: $1,097,000
• Personal Needs Allowance: $75
• Look-back period: 5 years

How to Check If You Qualify for Medicaid in Hawaii

Use these three free tools:

1. Online Income Calculator

Visit mybenefits.hawaii.gov. The system calculates eligibility instantly. Answer 5 questions about income and family size.

2. Phone Screening

Call 1-877-628-5076. Representatives check your eligibility in 5 minutes. They help with income documentation.

3. KOLEA Community Navigator Program

Find local help at community health centers. Navigators check eligibility and help with applications for free.

Search “Hawaii FQHC” or “KOLEA navigator” to find assistance near you.

Where to Apply for Hawaii Medicaid Online

Online Application (Fastest Method)

Website: mybenefits.hawaii.gov

• Create account in 2 minutes
• Complete application in 15 minutes
• Upload documents from phone
• Check status anytime
• Get decision in 30-45 days

Mobile Application

Use your smartphone to apply. Visit mybenefits.hawaii.gov on any mobile browser. The site works on iPhone and Android.

No separate app download needed.

Phone Application

Call: 1-877-628-5076
TTY: 711
Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:45 AM – 4:30 PM HST

Representatives help complete applications by phone.

Income Limits for Hawaii Medicaid Expansion

Hawaii expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.

Expansion covers:

• Adults age 19-64
• Income up to 138% federal poverty level
• No disability requirement
• No dependent children requirement

Monthly limits:

• Single person: $2,068
• 2-person household: $2,796
• 3-person household: $3,524
• 4-person household: $4,252

All expansion enrollees get full Medicaid benefits through Med-QUEST managed care plans.

Income Limits for Special Groups

Elderly Medicaid Applicants

Different rules apply for seniors age 65+:

Income limit: $1,500/month
Asset limit: $2,000 (individual) or $3,000 (couple)

Home equity limit: $1,097,000 in 2025.

Pregnant Women Income Requirements

Income limit: $2,941 monthly (196% FPL)

Benefits include:

• Prenatal care
• Delivery and hospital care
• Postpartum care for 12 months
• Baby’s coverage until first birthday

No citizenship proof required for newborns.

Disabled Individuals Income Thresholds

Income limit: $1,500/month
Asset limit: $2,000

You qualify if you:

• Receive SSI
• Receive Social Security Disability
• Have qualifying disability determination

Children’s Medicaid Income Limits

All children under 19 qualify at 313% poverty level.

For one child: $4,698 monthly
For two children: $6,352 monthly
For three children: $8,006 monthly

Children get continuous coverage:

• Under age 6: Coverage until 6th birthday
• Age 6-18: 24-month coverage periods

What Income Counts for Hawaii Medicaid?

Hawaii counts these income sources:

Counted Income:

• Job wages and salary
• Self-employment earnings
• Social Security benefits
• SSI payments
• Unemployment benefits
• Pension and retirement income
• Rental property income
• Child support received
• Alimony received

Not Counted:

• Child support paid
• Student financial aid
• Federal tax refunds
• Disaster assistance
• Certain veteran benefits

Hawaii applies a 5% income disregard. They ignore 5% of your income automatically.

Income Documentation Required

Bring these documents to verify income:

For Employed Workers:

• Last 2 pay stubs
• Letter from employer
• Year-to-date earnings statement

For Self-Employed:

• Profit and loss statement
• Business tax return
• Bank statements showing income

For Unemployed:

• Unemployment benefits letter
• Signed statement about job status
• Last pay stub from previous job

For Social Security Recipients:

• Social Security award letter
• SSI award letter
• Medicare card

For Everyone:

• Hawaii ID or driver’s license
• Social Security card
• Proof of Hawaii address

Don’t have all documents? Apply anyway. The Department of Human Services helps you get missing papers.

Services That Help with Medicaid Applications

Free Application Assistance

KOLEA Community Health Workers:

• Help at community health centers
• Free application assistance
• Available on all islands
• Language support available

Med-QUEST Enrollment Centers:

• In-person help at DHS offices
• Staff complete forms with you
• Available on Oahu, Maui, Hawaii Island, Kauai

Hawaii Health Connector Navigators:

• Help compare Medicaid and Marketplace plans
• Free eligibility screening
• Phone and in-person help

Local Medicaid Offices by Island

Oahu:

• Kapolei Benefits Office: 601 Kamokila Blvd
• Honolulu Benefits Office: 1390 Miller Street

Hawaii Island:

• Hilo Benefits Office: 591 Lanikaula Street
• Kona Benefits Office: 75-5591 Palani Road

Maui:

• Wailuku Benefits Office: 1955 Main Street

Kauai:

• Lihue Benefits Office: 3060 Eiwa Street

Call 1-877-628-5076 for office hours and directions.

Can I Get Medicaid with Income Above Poverty Level?

Yes. Hawaii has some of the highest income limits in the U.S.

High Income Limits for Families

Families qualify at 313% of poverty level. This means a family of four can earn up to $9,660 monthly and still qualify.

Medicaid Spend-Down Program

Income too high for regular Medicaid? Use spend-down.

How it works:

Your spend-down equals your income minus $469/month.

Example:

• Your income: $2,000/month
• Medicaid limit: $469/month
• Your spend-down: $1,531/month

Pay $1,531 in medical bills. Then Medicaid covers remaining costs that month.

Medicare Savings Programs

Have Medicare? Get help with premiums even with higher income:

Program	Income Limit	What It Pays
QMB	$1,325/month	All Medicare costs
SLMB	$1,585/month	Part B premium
QI-1	$1,781/month	Part B premium

Apply through Med-QUEST at 1-877-628-5076.

Income Verification Services for Applications

Department of Human Services Verification

Med-QUEST Division verifies income through:

• IRS data matching
• State wage databases
• Social Security Administration
• Unemployment insurance records

Most verification happens automatically within 48 hours.

Companies Providing Income Verification

Hawaii uses The Work Number for employment verification. Employers report wages directly to this system.

Your employer may use:

• Equifax Workforce Solutions
• ADP
• Paychex

These companies share wage data with Med-QUEST automatically.

Self-Reporting Income

No electronic verification available? You can self-report.

Provide a signed statement about your income. Include pay stubs or bank statements.

Med-QUEST accepts self-reporting for:

• Self-employment income
• Cash jobs
• Seasonal work
• Tips and gratuities

How Income Changes Affect Coverage

Reporting Income Increases

Report within 10 days when income goes up.

How to report:

• Online: Log into mybenefits.hawaii.gov
• Phone: Call 1-877-628-5076
• Mail: Send notice to local office

Hawaii reviews your new income. Coverage may continue under different rules.

Reporting Income Decreases

Report immediately when income drops.

Lower income may qualify you for more benefits or lower premiums.

How to Renew Medicaid with Changed Income

Hawaii sends renewal forms annually.

Steps:

1. Receive renewal packet by mail
2. Report current income
3. Submit within 30 days
4. Continue coverage while processing

Children’s renewals:

• Under age 6: No renewal needed
• Age 6-18: Automatic 24-month renewals

Where to Find Updated Income Guidelines

Official Government Sources

Med-QUEST Division:
Website: medquest.hawaii.gov
Updates posted monthly

Hawaii Department of Human Services:
Website: humanservices.hawaii.gov

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services:
Website: medicaid.gov

Online Income Limit Charts

Download current charts at:

• medquest.hawaii.gov/resources
• mybenefits.hawaii.gov/eligibility
• humanservices.hawaii.gov/mqd

Charts update every January with new poverty levels.

Customer Service for Eligibility Questions

Med-QUEST Customer Service:
Phone: 1-877-628-5076
TTY: 711
Email: Available through mybenefits.hawaii.gov message center

Representatives answer questions about:

• Income limits
• Eligibility requirements
• Application status
• Renewal procedures

Nonprofit Organizations That Help

Organizations Providing Free Help

AlohaCare Community Relations:

• Free eligibility screening
• Application assistance
• Member services

Hawaii Primary Care Association:

• Connects to community health centers
• Enrollment help at FQHCs

Kōkua Mau:

• Palliative care navigation
• Medicaid enrollment for serious illness

Hawaii Legal Aid:

• Appeals and denials help
• Eligibility disputes

United Way 211:

• Referrals to local assistance
• Multi-language support

Call 211 from any Hawaii phone for referrals.

How Income Affects Coverage Options

Your income determines which health coverage you get:

Income 0-138% FPL ($0-$2,068/month)

You qualify for: Regular Medicaid
Cost: Free
Benefits: Full coverage with no premiums

Income 138-200% FPL ($2,068-$2,992/month)

You may choose:

• Health Insurance Marketplace with subsidies
• Med-QUEST if you have qualifying condition

Cost: Low premiums with cost-sharing help

Income 200-400% FPL ($2,992-$5,984/month)

You qualify for: Marketplace premium tax credits
Cost: Moderate premiums with subsidies

Income Above 400% FPL (Over $5,984/month)

You must use: Private insurance or Marketplace
Cost: Full premium prices

New 2025 Benefits and Changes

Continuous Eligibility for Children

Started January 1, 2025:

Children under 6 keep coverage until 6th birthday. No renewals needed.

Children age 6-18 get 24-month coverage periods. Coverage continues even if income increases.

First-in-Nation Palliative Care Benefit

Hawaii became the first state to cover community palliative care.

Who qualifies: Anyone with serious illness
What’s covered: Care team including doctors, nurses, counselors
Cost: Free with Medicaid

No hospice requirement. Continue curative treatments.

Housing and Nutrition Services

New benefits for 2025-2029:

• Help finding stable housing
• Medically tailored meal delivery
• Fruit and vegetable prescriptions

Available for people with complex health needs.

Pre-Release Coverage

Getting out of jail or prison? Medicaid now covers services 90 days before release.

Includes mental health, substance use treatment, and medications.

Quick Start Application Guide

Apply in 3 steps:

Step 1: Create Account (2 minutes)

Visit mybenefits.hawaii.gov. Click “Create Account.” Enter email and create password.

Step 2: Complete Application (15 minutes)

Answer questions about:

• Household members
• Income sources
• Current health coverage

Step 3: Upload Documents (5 minutes)

Take photos of:

• Hawaii ID
• Pay stubs
• Social Security cards

Submit application. Check status online anytime.

Decision timeline: 30-45 days

Coverage starts: Usually the month you apply

Important Contact Information

Apply or Check Eligibility

Website: mybenefits.hawaii.gov
Phone: 1-877-628-5076
TTY: 711
Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:45 AM – 4:30 PM HST

Med-QUEST Division

Website: medquest.hawaii.gov
Address: 601 Kamokila Boulevard, Room 518, Kapolei, HI 96709
Fax: 808-692-8168

Health Insurance Marketplace

Website: healthcare.gov
Phone: 1-800-318-2596

Get Help in Your Language

Med-QUEST provides free interpreters for:

• Hawaiian
• Samoan
• Tagalog
• Ilocano
• Chuukese
• Marshallese
• Other languages

Request interpreter when you call 1-877-628-5076.

Sources:
Hawaii Med-QUEST Division | Hawaii Department of Human Services | Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services | Federal Poverty Guidelines