Income Limits by State (2026 Chart)
Every state decides how income affects eligibility for Long-Term Care Medicaid. Many states have a firm monthly cap, most often $2,982 a month in 2026. Others have no fixed cap for nursing home care. This page lists each state’s 2026 rule and explains what to do if income is over a limit.
Figures change periodically. Double-check current amounts before relying on them.
Two kinds of states
Income cap states set a hard limit. For most, it is the federal “special income level,” 300 percent of the SSI federal benefit rate. The 2026 SSI benefit is $994 a month, so the cap is $2,982 a month. A person with income even $1 over the cap does not qualify unless they use a Qualified Income (Miller) Trust, sometimes called an income trust.
Medically needy states do not use a fixed cap for nursing home care. A person qualifies if their income is less than the cost of their care (after allowances). Most of their income then goes toward that cost. Some of these states use a cap for home care waivers but not for nursing homes.
A few states use other figures, such as 250 percent of the SSI rate or the state’s own standard.
2026 income rules by state
| State | 2026 income rule (applicant) |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $2,982 a month (300% of the SSI rate) |
| Alaska | $2,982 a month (300% of the SSI rate) |
| Arizona | $2,982 a month (gross). Higher income needs an income-only trust |
| Arkansas | $2,982 a month (nursing facility, ARChoices, PACE) |
| California | No fixed cap for nursing home care (income above allowances goes toward the cost of care) |
| Colorado | $2,982 a month. Higher income needs an income trust |
| Connecticut | Nursing home: no fixed cap (income must be less than the cost of care). Home care waiver: $2,982 a month |
| Delaware | $2,485 a month (250% of the SSI rate) |
| District of Columbia | $2,982 a month (special income standard) |
| Florida | $2,982 a month. Above this, a Qualified Income Trust is needed |
| Georgia | $2,982 a month. Higher income needs a Qualified Income Trust |
| Hawaii | No fixed cap for nursing home care (income goes toward the cost of care) |
| Idaho | $3,002 a month (individual); $5,984 (couple) |
| Illinois | $1,330 a month (AABD standard). Income above it can be met through a spenddown |
| Indiana | $2,982 a month (special income level). Higher income needs a Miller trust |
| Iowa | $2,982 a month |
| Kansas | $2,982 a month (special income standard) |
| Kentucky | $2,982 a month (special income standard) |
| Louisiana | $2,982 a month (special income level) |
| Maine | $2,982 a month (nursing facility and waiver) |
| Maryland | No fixed cap for nursing home care: medically needy route (income goes toward care) |
| Massachusetts | Home care waivers: under $2,982 a month (300% of the SSI rate) |
| Michigan | No fixed cap for nursing home care (income over the limit goes toward the cost of care) |
| Minnesota | $1,330 a month (MA for people 65+, blind or disabled), with a spenddown above it. Elderly Waiver special income standard: $2,982 |
| Mississippi | $2,982 a month |
| Missouri | No fixed cap for nursing home care: income goes to the facility, minus allowances |
| Montana | No fixed cap for nursing home care (income must be no more than the monthly cost of care) |
| Nebraska | No fixed cap for nursing home care (income goes toward the cost of care) |
| Nevada | $2,982 a month (300% of the SSI rate) |
| New Hampshire | $2,982 a month (above this, medically needy rules apply) |
| New Jersey | $2,982 a month. Higher income needs a Qualified Income Trust |
| New Mexico | $2,982 a month |
| New York | Nursing home: no fixed cap; income above the allowances goes toward the cost of care. Home care: $1,835 a month (about $22,025 a year) for one person, with a spend-down or pooled trust above that |
| North Carolina | No fixed cap: income must be less than the facility’s private rate (see below) |
| North Dakota | No cap for nursing home care (income above the allowance goes toward care) |
| Ohio | $2,982 a month (Special Income Level). Above this, a Qualified Income Trust is needed |
| Oklahoma | $2,982 a month |
| Oregon | $2,982 a month (300% of the SSI rate) |
| Pennsylvania | $2,982 a month (special income limit). Nursing home applicants with higher income may qualify as medically needy |
| Rhode Island | $2,982 a month (above this, the medically needy route may apply) |
| South Carolina | $2,982 a month |
| South Dakota | $2,982 a month (300% of the SSI rate) |
| Tennessee | $2,982 a month. Higher income needs a Qualified Income Trust |
| Texas | $2,982 a month (special income limit). Above this, a Qualified Income Trust is needed |
| Utah | Nursing home: no fixed cap (income goes toward the cost of care). Waivers: $2,982 a month |
| Vermont | $2,982 a month (institutional income standard) |
| Virginia | $2,982 a month (300% of the SSI rate); above this, spend-down may apply |
| Washington | $2,982 a month (special income level) |
| West Virginia | $2,982 a month (300% of the SSI rate); spenddown above that |
| Wisconsin | $2,982 a month (institutional categorically needy limit) |
| Wyoming | $2,982 a month |
Figures are taken from each state’s 2026 guide on this site. Follow a state’s link for full details, including whether a Qualified Income Trust is used and the rules for home care.
How income is measured
- Gross income. States count income before deductions such as Medicare premiums or tax withholding. See What counts as income?.
- The applicant’s income only. The spouse at home’s income is not counted toward the applicant’s eligibility. See Income for couples.
- Disregards. Some disregards apply in some programs. Many states do not apply them to the $2,982 special income limit. See Income disregards.
If income is over the cap
In income cap states, the usual solution is a Qualified Income Trust (QIT), also called a Miller trust:
- A special trust and bank account is set up.
- Each month, income above the cap (or all of a particular income source) is deposited into the trust account.
- The money in the trust is used for the person’s care costs and allowed expenses, such as the spouse at home’s allowance.
- At the person’s death, what remains in the trust goes to the state, up to the amount Medicaid paid.
The trust must meet strict rules, and deposits must be made every month. Setting it up wrong, or missing a deposit, can cost a month of coverage. A Miller trust is a legal document, so it must be drafted by an attorney. A Certified Medicaid Planner (CMP) can help coordinate the process. See Qualified income (Miller) trusts.
Income after approval
Whatever the eligibility rule, after approval most of a nursing home resident’s income goes to the nursing home as patient liability, after:
- the personal needs allowance;
- any allowance for a spouse at home (at least $2,705 a month from July 1, 2026, up to $4,066.50);
- certain health insurance premiums.
See Patient liability.
Examples using the chart
Under the cap. Rosa lives in Texas. Her gross income is $2,400 a month. That is under the $2,982 special income limit, so she meets the income test. After approval, most of her income will go to the nursing home as patient liability.
Over the cap. Earl lives in Florida with gross income of $3,300 a month. That is over $2,982. To qualify, he sets up a Qualified Income Trust and deposits his income above the limit into it each month.
Medically needy state. Irene lives in a state with no fixed income cap for nursing home care. Her gross income is $4,000 a month and her nursing home costs about $10,000 a month. Because her income is less than the cost of care, she can qualify. Most of her income goes toward the cost.
Income limits for home care
Some states use one rule for nursing homes and another for home and community-based waivers. A state with no cap for nursing homes may still use the $2,982 cap for waiver programs, or the reverse. People on waivers usually keep more of their income for living expenses. Each state guide explains the rules for home care.
Common questions
Is the $2,982 limit per person or per couple? Per applicant. The spouse at home’s income is not counted.
Does the cap change? Yes. It is tied to the SSI federal benefit rate, which changes each January.
What if my state is not listed with a dollar amount? That usually means the state is a medically needy state for nursing home care. See the state guide.
Income rules, Miller trusts and medically needy calculations are among the most technical parts of Long-Term Care Medicaid. A {L} can help a family understand which rule applies and what to do if income is over a limit.
Related guides
Last updated for 2026. General information only, not legal or financial advice. Medicaid Answers is a free educational resource published by Medicaid Answers Foundation.