Medical Assistance: Income Limits, Eligibility and How to Apply
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Medical Assistance is Minnesota's Medicaid program, and it is run by the Minnesota Department of Human Services. Minnesota 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 MinnesotaCare and MA for children, and the application is at mnbenefits.mn.gov or 800-657-3672. Every figure below is dated 2026-09-23.
| Program | Medical Assistance (MA) |
|---|---|
| Children | MinnesotaCare and MA for children |
| Agency | Minnesota Department of Human Services |
| Apply | mnbenefits.mn.gov · 800-657-3672 |
| 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 Minnesota
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 (MinnesotaCare and MA for children), pregnant women, parents, seniors and people with disabilities use other limits that Minnesota sets above the federal minimums.
How Minnesota compares
Minnesota 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. The program's own name, Medical Assistance, is what appears on cards and letters; "Medicaid" may not appear at all, which confuses people who move here.
How to apply for Medical Assistance
- Apply online at mnbenefits.mn.gov, or call 800-657-3672. HealthCare.gov also takes Medicaid applications and forwards them to Minnesota. There is no enrollment period; any day works.
- Report this month's income.
A Medical Assistance case also qualifies you for a free phone (Minnesota carriers, paperwork) and shares documents with Minnesota SNAP.
What changes in Minnesota
Minnesota 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.
Minnesota specifics
- MinnesotaCare is a Basic Health Program for people just above Medicaid income, one of the few in the country.
- Undocumented adults 18 and over lost MinnesotaCare eligibility on January 1, 2026; undocumented children remain eligible.
- Offices serve Minneapolis, St. Paul, Rochester and every county; hospitals and health centers also employ enrollment assisters.
Whether Medical Assistance pays for dental or weight-loss drugs is Minnesota's choice; see does Medicaid cover.
Common questions
What is the Medicaid income limit in Minnesota 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 MinnesotaCare and MA for children.
Does Minnesota have a Medicaid work requirement?
From January 1, 2027, the federal deadline; Minnesota 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
- Medical Assistance: 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.