Illinois Medicaid helps low-income families, pregnant women, children, seniors, and people with disabilities get health coverage.
In 2026, income limits changed, new federal rules took effect, and dual-eligible members switched to new plans.
Quick summary:
- Adults qualify with income up to $21,597 per year
- Children get coverage up to $102,480 for a family of four
- Asset limit stays at $17,500 for individuals
- Work requirements start January 1, 2027
- Noncitizen eligibility restricted after October 1, 2026
- Dual-eligible members moved to FIDE SNPs in January 2026
Page Contents
Who Qualifies for Illinois Medicaid in 2026?
Illinois Medicaid covers different groups. Each group has different income rules.
Adults (Ages 19–64)
Adults without children can qualify. Your household income must be at or below 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
2026 income limits for adults:
- Single person: $21,597 per year
- Family of four: $44,367 per year
There is no asset test for adults. You can own a home and a car and still qualify.
Children (Ages 0–18)
All children in Illinois can get Medicaid through the All Kids Program. This program combines Medicaid and CHIP.
2026 income limits for children:
- Single-parent household: $49,820 per year
- Family of four: $102,480 per year
Children qualify even if they have private insurance. There is no citizenship requirement. Coverage lasts 12 months once approved.
Pregnant Women
Pregnant individuals qualify with income up to 213% FPL.
Illinois offers 12-month postpartum coverage. This means you keep Medicaid for one full year after giving birth.
New benefits added in 2025 include:
- Certified doula services
- Lactation consultant visits
- Home visiting services
Seniors and People with Disabilities
If you are elderly, blind, or disabled, you qualify with monthly income below:
- $1,304 per month for individuals
- $1,762 per month for couples
These limits apply from April 2025 through March 2026.
You can also use the Medically Needy program. This lets you “spend down” medical bills to meet the income limit.
Illinois Medicaid Asset Limits 2026
Illinois has high asset limits compared to other states.
Asset limits:
- Individuals: $17,500
- Couples: $17,500
Exempt assets (don’t count):
- Your primary home (equity limit: $752,000)
- One vehicle of any value
- Personal belongings and household items
- Burial plots
- Term life insurance
Community Spouse Resource Allowance:
If your spouse needs nursing home care, you can keep up to $135,648 in assets in 2026.
For regular Medicaid, there is no look-back period. For long-term care, Illinois checks transfers made in the past 60 months (5 years).
Major Changes to Illinois Medicaid in 2026
1. Dual-Eligible Members Switch to FIDE SNPs (January 2026)
If you have both Medicare and Medicaid, you were moved to a Fully Integrated Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plan (FIDE SNP) on January 1, 2026.
Four approved FIDE SNP plans:
- Aetna Medicare FIDE
- Humana Dual Fully Integrated
- Molina Medicare Complete Care Plus
- Wellcare Meridian Dual Align
These plans combine Medicare and Medicaid into one plan. This improves care coordination.
You can switch plans during open enrollment periods.
2. Noncitizen Eligibility Restricted (October 1, 2026)
Starting October 1, 2026, only certain noncitizens qualify for Medicaid.
Still eligible:
- Lawful Permanent Residents (green card holders with 5+ years in the U.S.)
- Refugees
- Asylees
- Cuban-Haitian entrants
- Victims of human trafficking
No longer eligible:
- Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders
- Lawful Permanent Residents under 5 years
- Most other lawfully present immigrants
Emergency Medicaid remains available for urgent care.
Illinois previously offered Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults (HBIA) and Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors (HBIS). These programs may be eliminated in 2026.
3. Work Requirements Start January 1, 2027
Adults ages 19–64 enrolled through Medicaid expansion must meet work requirements starting January 1, 2027.
Requirements:
- Work at least 80 hours per month, or
- Earn at least $580 per month (federal minimum wage equivalent), or
- Participate in job training, education, or community service for 80 hours per month
Exemptions include:
- People with disabilities
- Pregnant women and new mothers (12 months postpartum)
- Caregivers of children under age 14
- Full-time students ages 18–19
- Individuals with mental health or substance use disorders
- Medicare beneficiaries
If you don’t meet the requirement, Illinois will send a notice. You have 30 days to respond or prove exemption. If you don’t respond, you lose coverage.
4. More Frequent Renewals (January 1, 2027)
Currently, you renew Medicaid once per year. Starting January 1, 2027, adults in the expansion group must renew every six months.
Traditional Medicaid groups (families, children, seniors, disabled) still renew once per year.
5. Higher Costs for Some Adults (January 1, 2027)
Adults earning above 100% FPL will pay more out-of-pocket costs. The cap is 5% of annual household income.
Example:
If you earn $25,000 per year, your maximum out-of-pocket cost is $1,250.
Adults below 100% FPL have little to no cost-sharing.
How to Apply for Illinois Medicaid
You can apply for Illinois Medicaid online, by phone, by mail, or in person.
Apply online:
Visit the Illinois Department of Human Services website.
Apply by phone:
Call the Illinois DHS at 1-800-843-6154 (TTY: 1-866-324-5553).
Apply in person:
Visit your local DHS Family Community Resource Center.
Documents you may need:
- Proof of identity (driver’s license, state ID)
- Proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns)
- Social Security numbers for household members
- Proof of residency (utility bill, lease agreement)
Most applications are processed within 45 days. Emergency Medicaid is faster.
Internal Resources
Need help calculating your eligibility? Use the Illinois Medicaid eligibility calculator to see if you qualify.
You can also check Medicaid income limits 2026 by state for nationwide comparisons.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income limit for Medicaid in Illinois 2026?
Adults qualify with income up to $21,597 per year. Families of four qualify with income up to $44,367 per year.
Do I need to be a U.S. citizen to get Illinois Medicaid?
Children do not need citizenship. Adults must meet citizenship or qualified noncitizen status. Starting October 1, 2026, noncitizen rules become stricter.
How long does Illinois Medicaid last after approval?
Children have 12-month continuous coverage. Adults renew yearly until 2027, then every six months.
What happens if I don’t meet work requirements in 2027?
You receive a 30-day notice to explain or correct the issue. If you don’t respond, you lose coverage.
Official Sources
All information is verified from official sources:
- Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services
- Illinois Department of Human Services
- Medicaid.gov
Last Updated: January 10, 2026
About the Author
My name is Akash Biswas. I like to read hard government rules and make them easy to understand. Many people find Medicaid and Medicare confusing, and that is okay. I want to help.
I made this website so families can learn in simple words. I take big, hard information and break it into small, easy steps. I want every person to feel calm and sure when they read about Medicaid or Medicare.
My goal is to help you understand who can get help, how to apply, and what to do next. I hope this website makes your life easier and helps you get the care you need.
I study Medicaid and Medicare rules every day and work hard to share clear, correct, and easy information for all families.
