Maine Medicaid: 2026 Income Limits and Moving In or Out
Moving TO Maine
MaineCare (Maine's Medicaid program) does not accept transferred cases from other states: every new Maine resident applies fresh through Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Family Independence. There is no waiting period tied to how recently you arrived — eligibility is decided on Maine's own income and household rules from the day you become a resident.
Leaving Maine
Leaving Maine ends your MaineCare (Maine's Medicaid program) case — no state will take it over. Close the case with Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Family Independence effective your move month, then apply in your destination state immediately after arriving.
Official agency: Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Family Independence ↗ (application page)
Maine Medicaid at a glance
| Program name | MaineCare |
|---|---|
| ACA Medicaid expansion | Yes — adults covered on income |
| Adult income limit | 138% of the federal poverty level |
| Processing | Agency-stated - OFI is responsible for determining eligibility for MaineCare applications within 45 days (90 days if a disability decision is needed) |
Maine Medicaid income limits for adults (2026)
Maine expanded Medicaid under the ACA, so adults with income up to 138% of the federal poverty level can qualify without fitting a category such as disability or pregnancy. Federal law (Public Law 119-21) adds a work condition for most of these adults from January 1, 2027 (earlier in some states, and later only in a state granted an extension, which cannot run past 2028): they must show 80 hours a month of work, school, job training, or community service, unless they are exempt (for example, parents of a child 13 or under, pregnant people, and people with a disability). New applicants may have to show it for 1 to 3 consecutive months immediately preceding the month they apply.
| Household size | Monthly income limit | Yearly income limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $1,836 | $22,025 |
| 2 people | $2,489 | $29,864 |
| 3 people | $3,142 | $37,702 |
| 4 people | $3,795 | $45,540 |
| 5 people | $4,449 | $53,379 |
| 6 people | $5,102 | $61,217 |
| 7 people | $5,755 | $69,056 |
| 8 people | $6,408 | $76,894 |
| Each additional person | +$654 | +$7,839 |
- Computed as 138% of the 2026 HHS poverty guidelines (48 contiguous states and DC), rounded up to the dollar. Maine's own chart controls, and states often switch to the new year's guidelines partway through the year — so the agency's chart may still show lower 2025 figures.
- The adult limit counts income under MAGI (modified adjusted gross income) rules. Children and pregnant people usually have higher limits; people 65+ or with a disability are assessed under different, non-MAGI rules that often include an asset test — ask the agency below.
Federal source: HHS 2026 Poverty Guidelines (91 FR 1797) (published 2026-01-15)
How to apply for Medicaid in Maine
Apply with Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Family Independence online at www1.maine.gov, which runs the program as MaineCare. Go to the official application page ↗
Processing time: Agency-stated - OFI is responsible for determining eligibility for MaineCare applications within 45 days (90 days if a disability decision is needed).
Common questions
What is the Medicaid income limit in Maine for 2026?
For adults, 138% of the federal poverty level: about $1,836 a month for one person and $3,795 a month for a family of four in 2026. Children, pregnant people, and people 65+ or with a disability have separate limits.
Can I keep Maine Medicaid if I move to another state?
No. Medicaid covers residents only, so Maine coverage ends once you live elsewhere. Report the move to Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Family Independence and apply in your new state right away; eligibility there is decided on that state's own rules.
How do I apply for Medicaid in Maine?
Apply with Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Family Independence online at www1.maine.gov, which runs the program as MaineCare. Processing time: agency-stated - OFI is responsible for determining eligibility for MaineCare applications within 45 days (90 days if a disability decision is needed).
Who runs Medicaid in Maine?
Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Family Independence, which runs the program as MaineCare. The official page and application link are cited below — always act through them.
Does Maine make new residents wait for Medicaid?
No state may impose a residency waiting period for Medicaid. You apply as soon as you live in Maine; eligibility is decided on Maine's own rules.
Where do I report that I'm leaving Maine?
Contact Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Family Independence (official link below) to report the move and close your case effective your move month.
Every move involving Maine
From Maine to…
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
To Maine from…
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Other benefits in Maine
- SNAP in Maine
- WIC in Maine
- Unemployment in Maine
- TANF in Maine
- Medicaid in every state
- State benefits statistics
Terms on this page: Federal poverty level (FPL) · Medicaid expansion · Retroactive Medicaid coverage
Official sources
Every fact above was checked against these official pages. Last verified .
- Maine DHHS OFI — Health Care Assistance (MaineCare) — accessed 2026-08-08