West Virginia Medicaid: 2026 Income Limits and Moving In or Out
Moving TO West Virginia
West Virginia Medicaid does not accept transferred cases from other states: every new West Virginia resident applies fresh through West Virginia Department of Human Services, Bureau for Medical Services. There is no waiting period tied to how recently you arrived — eligibility is decided on West Virginia's own income and household rules from the day you become a resident.
Leaving West Virginia
Leaving West Virginia ends your West Virginia Medicaid case — no state will take it over. Close the case with West Virginia Department of Human Services, Bureau for Medical Services effective your move month, then apply in your destination state immediately after arriving.
Official agency: West Virginia Department of Human Services, Bureau for Medical Services ↗ (application page)
West Virginia Medicaid at a glance
| Program name | West Virginia Medicaid |
|---|---|
| ACA Medicaid expansion | Yes — adults covered on income |
| Adult income limit | 138% of the federal poverty level |
| Processing | Federal 45-day standard (90 days for disability determinations) |
West Virginia Medicaid income limits for adults (2026)
West Virginia 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. West Virginia'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 West Virginia
Apply with West Virginia Department of Human Services, Bureau for Medical Services online at wvpath.wv.gov. Go to the official application page ↗
Processing time: Federal 45-day standard (90 days for disability determinations).
Common questions
What is the Medicaid income limit in West Virginia 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 West Virginia Medicaid if I move to another state?
No. Medicaid covers residents only, so West Virginia coverage ends once you live elsewhere. Report the move to West Virginia Department of Human Services, Bureau for Medical 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 West Virginia?
Apply with West Virginia Department of Human Services, Bureau for Medical Services online at wvpath.wv.gov. Processing time: federal 45-day standard (90 days for disability determinations).
Who runs Medicaid in West Virginia?
West Virginia Department of Human Services, Bureau for Medical Services. The official page and application link are cited below — always act through them.
Does West Virginia make new residents wait for Medicaid?
No state may impose a residency waiting period for Medicaid. You apply as soon as you live in West Virginia; eligibility is decided on West Virginia's own rules.
Where do I report that I'm leaving West Virginia?
Call the DoHS hotline at 1-877-716-1212 to report a change in your situation (agency wording), or report changes through your WV PATH account.
Every move involving West Virginia
From West Virginia 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
- 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
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
To West Virginia 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
- 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
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Other benefits in West Virginia
- SNAP in West Virginia
- WIC in West Virginia
- Unemployment in West Virginia
- TANF in West Virginia
- 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 .
- WV BMS — Applying for Healthcare (WV PATH, DoHS hotline) — accessed 2026-08-08