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Missouri Medicaid: 2026 Income Limits and Moving In or Out

Moving TO Missouri

MO HealthNet (Missouri's Medicaid program) does not accept transferred cases from other states: every new Missouri resident applies fresh through Missouri Department of Social Services. There is no waiting period tied to how recently you arrived — eligibility is decided on Missouri's own income and household rules from the day you become a resident.

Leaving Missouri

Leaving Missouri ends your MO HealthNet (Missouri's Medicaid program) case — no state will take it over. Close the case with Missouri Department of Social Services effective your move month, then apply in your destination state immediately after arriving.

Official agency: Missouri Department of Social Services ↗ (application page)

Missouri Medicaid at a glance

Program nameMO HealthNet
ACA Medicaid expansionYes — adults covered on income
Adult income limit138% of the federal poverty level
ProcessingAgency says to contact your local office if you have not received a response within 45 days; disability-based decisions may take longer (90 days if a disability decision is needed)

Missouri Medicaid income limits for adults (2026)

Missouri 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 sizeMonthly income limitYearly 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

Federal source: HHS 2026 Poverty Guidelines (91 FR 1797) (published 2026-01-15)

How to apply for Medicaid in Missouri

Apply with Missouri Department of Social Services online at mydssapp.mo.gov, which runs the program as MO HealthNet. Go to the official application page ↗

Processing time: Agency says to contact your local office if you have not received a response within 45 days; disability-based decisions may take longer (90 days if a disability decision is needed).

Moving with more than one benefit? The relocation checklist orders every step for your move.

Common questions

What is the Medicaid income limit in Missouri 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 Missouri Medicaid if I move to another state?

No. Medicaid covers residents only, so Missouri coverage ends once you live elsewhere. Report the move to Missouri Department of Social 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 Missouri?

Apply with Missouri Department of Social Services online at mydssapp.mo.gov, which runs the program as MO HealthNet. Processing time: agency says to contact your local office if you have not received a response within 45 days; disability-based decisions may take longer (90 days if a disability decision is needed).

Who runs Medicaid in Missouri?

Missouri Department of Social Services, which runs the program as MO HealthNet. The official page and application link are cited below — always act through them.

Does Missouri make new residents wait for Medicaid?

No state may impose a residency waiting period for Medicaid. You apply as soon as you live in Missouri; eligibility is decided on Missouri's own rules.

Where do I report that I'm leaving Missouri?

Contact Missouri Department of Social Services (official link below) to report the move and close your case effective your move month.

Every move involving Missouri

Other benefits in Missouri

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 .

Written by Benefits Transfer Editorial Team

Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor

Last verified