Minnesota Medicaid: 2026 Income Limits and Moving In or Out
Moving TO Minnesota
Medical Assistance (MA) (Minnesota's Medicaid program) does not accept transferred cases from other states: every new Minnesota resident applies fresh through Minnesota Department of Human Services. There is no waiting period tied to how recently you arrived — eligibility is decided on Minnesota's own income and household rules from the day you become a resident.
Leaving Minnesota
Leaving Minnesota ends your Medical Assistance (MA) (Minnesota's Medicaid program) case — no state will take it over. Close the case with Minnesota Department of Human Services effective your move month, then apply in your destination state immediately after arriving.
Official agency: Minnesota Department of Human Services ↗ (application page)
Minnesota Medicaid at a glance
| Program name | Medical Assistance (MA) |
|---|---|
| ACA Medicaid expansion | Yes — adults covered on income |
| Adult income limit | 138% of the federal poverty level |
| Processing | Federal 45-day standard; DHS does not publish a state-specific timeline on its main pages (90 days if a disability decision is needed) |
Minnesota Medicaid income limits for adults (2026)
Minnesota 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. Minnesota'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 Minnesota
Apply with Minnesota Department of Human Services online at mnsure.org, which runs the program as Medical Assistance (MA). Go to the official application page ↗
Processing time: Federal 45-day standard; DHS does not publish a state-specific timeline on its main pages (90 days if a disability decision is needed).
Common questions
What is the Medicaid income limit in Minnesota 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 Minnesota Medicaid if I move to another state?
No. Medicaid covers residents only, so Minnesota coverage ends once you live elsewhere. Report the move to Minnesota Department of Human Services 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 Minnesota?
Apply with Minnesota Department of Human Services online at mnsure.org, which runs the program as Medical Assistance (MA). Processing time: federal 45-day standard; DHS does not publish a state-specific timeline on its main pages (90 days if a disability decision is needed).
Who runs Medicaid in Minnesota?
Minnesota Department of Human Services, which runs the program as Medical Assistance (MA). The official page and application link are cited below — always act through them.
Does Minnesota make new residents wait for Medicaid?
No state may impose a residency waiting period for Medicaid. You apply as soon as you live in Minnesota; eligibility is decided on Minnesota's own rules.
Where do I report that I'm leaving Minnesota?
Contact Minnesota Department of Human Services (official link below) to report the move and close your case effective your move month.
Every move involving Minnesota
From Minnesota to…
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- 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 Minnesota from…
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- 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 Minnesota
- SNAP in Minnesota
- WIC in Minnesota
- Unemployment in Minnesota
- TANF in Minnesota
- 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 .
- Minnesota DHS — Medical Assistance — accessed 2026-08-08
- Minnesota DHS — Income and asset limits — accessed 2026-08-08