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South Carolina Medicaid: 2026 Income Limits and Moving In or Out

Moving TO South Carolina

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

Leaving South Carolina

Leaving South Carolina ends your Healthy Connections (South Carolina's Medicaid program) case — no state will take it over. Close the case with South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services effective your move month, then apply in your destination state immediately after arriving.

Official agency: South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services ↗ (application page)

South Carolina Medicaid at a glance

Program nameHealthy Connections
ACA Medicaid expansionNo — adults need a category
Adult income limitno income-only route for adults
ProcessingFederal 45-day standard (90 days for disability determinations)

How to apply for Medicaid in South Carolina

Apply with South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services online at apply.scdhhs.gov, which runs the program as Healthy Connections. Go to the official application page ↗

Processing time: Federal 45-day standard (90 days for disability determinations).

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

Common questions

Who qualifies for Medicaid in South Carolina?

South Carolina has not adopted the ACA Medicaid expansion. Adults generally need to fit a category — pregnancy, a disability, age 65+, or caring for a child — because low income alone does not qualify them.

Can I keep South Carolina Medicaid if I move to another state?

No. Medicaid covers residents only, so South Carolina coverage ends once you live elsewhere. Report the move to South Carolina Department of Health and 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 South Carolina?

Apply with South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services online at apply.scdhhs.gov, which runs the program as Healthy Connections. Processing time: federal 45-day standard (90 days for disability determinations).

Who runs Medicaid in South Carolina?

South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, which runs the program as Healthy Connections. The official page and application link are cited below — always act through them.

Does South Carolina make new residents wait for Medicaid?

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

Where do I report that I'm leaving South Carolina?

Contact the Healthy Connections Medicaid Member Contact Center at (888) 549-0820 to report changes to your case, including an out-of-state move.

Every move involving South Carolina

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Other benefits in South Carolina

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

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