DC Medicaid: Income Limits, Eligibility and How to Apply
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DC Medicaid is District of Columbia's Medicaid program, and it is run by the DC Department of Health Care Finance. DC adopted the Affordable Care Act expansion in 2014, so an adult under 65 qualifies on income alone at or below 138% of the poverty guideline: $1,835 a month for one person in 2026. Children are covered through DC Healthy Families, and the application is at districtdirect.dc.gov or 855-532-5465. Every figure below is dated 2026-09-23.
| Program | DC Medicaid |
|---|---|
| Children | DC Healthy Families |
| Agency | DC Department of Health Care Finance |
| Apply | districtdirect.dc.gov · 855-532-5465 |
| Expansion | Yes, since 2014 |
| Adult income limit, 2026 | $22,025 a year for one person; $45,540 for four |
| Work requirement | federal deadline January 1, 2027 |
Who qualifies in DC
Adults 19 to 64 not on Medicare qualify at or below 138% of poverty (133% plus a 5% disregard), on household modified adjusted gross income, with no asset test. The 2026 figures:
| Household size | Annual income at 138% | Monthly | 100% of poverty (marketplace floor) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $22,025 | $1,835 | $15,960 |
| 2 | $29,863 | $2,489 | $21,640 |
| 3 | $37,702 | $3,142 | $27,320 |
| 4 | $45,540 | $3,795 | $33,000 |
| 5 | $53,378 | $4,448 | $38,680 |
Computed from the 2026 HHS poverty guidelines (January 15, 2026).
Children (DC Healthy Families), pregnant women, parents, seniors and people with disabilities use other limits that DC sets above the federal minimums.
How DC compares
DC expanded on the first day it could, January 1, 2014, with the original group of states. On the work requirement it is not among the early starters (Arkansas, Iowa, Montana, Nebraska), so members have until January 1, 2027. DC uses the plain "Medicaid" name, so the card and letters say what they are.
How to apply for DC Medicaid
- Apply online at districtdirect.dc.gov, or call 855-532-5465. HealthCare.gov also takes Medicaid applications and forwards them to DC. There is no enrollment period; any day works.
- Report this month's income.
A DC Medicaid case also qualifies you for a free phone (DC carriers, paperwork) and shares documents with DC SNAP.
What changes in DC
DC has not announced a start date for the federal work requirement, so it takes effect on the federal deadline, January 1, 2027. Six-month renewals for expansion adults begin with renewals scheduled on or after January 1, 2027. The nationwide changes are on the hub with CMS sources.
DC specifics
- The locally funded DC Healthcare Alliance, which covers residents regardless of immigration status, was cut back in 2025-26: adult enrollment is now limited to ages 21 to 25 at or below 138% of poverty, and services moved from managed care to fee-for-service.
- Offices serve Washington and every county; hospitals and health centers also employ enrollment assisters.
Whether DC Medicaid pays for dental or weight-loss drugs is DC's choice; see does Medicaid cover.
Common questions
What is the Medicaid income limit in DC for 2026?
$22,025 a year for one adult, $29,863 for two and $45,540 for four (138% of the 2026 poverty guideline); children go higher through DC Healthy Families.
Does DC have a Medicaid work requirement?
From January 1, 2027, the federal deadline; DC has not set an earlier date. It applies to expansion adults 19 to 64 at 80 hours a month, with exemptions listed on the hub.
Sources
- DC Medicaid: state program page
- HHS: 2026 poverty guidelines
- HealthCare.gov: Medicaid expansion and you (138%)
- Federal Register: community engagement interim final rule (June 3, 2026)
- CMS: 2025 law section-by-section overview
Gov-Grants.org is an independent guide, not a carrier and not a government agency. We never charge fees, and every fact above links to its source with the date we checked it. Program details change; confirm on the official site before applying.