Healthy Connections · Updated August 22, 2026

South Carolina Medicaid Income Limits 2026

Income Limits Eligibility Asset Limits How to Apply Renewal Medicare Savings Programs Seniors & Long-Term Care

Healthy Connections in South Carolina is limited to specific groups: children, pregnant women, parents with very low income (about $1,525 a month for a parent in a family of three), seniors and people with disabilities. Adults without dependent children are not eligible. The 2026 limits for each group are below.

Single adult (19–64)Not availableper month

Family of 4 (adults)Not availableper month

Child, family of 4$5,858per month

Pregnant, family of 2$3,589per month

South Carolina has not expanded Medicaid. Adults without dependent children cannot qualify for Healthy Connections on income alone. Parents and caretakers qualify only at 67% of FPL. Children, pregnant women, seniors and people with disabilities use the limits below.

South Carolina Medicaid income limits for parents and caretakers 2026 (67% of FPL)
Household size	Monthly income limit	Annual income limit
1 person	$891	$10,693
2 people	$1,208	$14,499
3 people	$1,525	$18,304
4 people	$1,843	$22,110
5 people	$2,160	$25,916
6 people	$2,477	$29,721
7 people	$2,794	$33,527
8 people	$3,111	$37,332

Each additional person adds $317 per month. Figures use the 2026 federal poverty guidelines and are rounded to the nearest dollar.

Income limits by eligibility group

Children (Medicaid/CHIP)

213% of FPL

1 person: $2,833/mo
2 people: $3,841/mo
4 people: $5,858/mo

Upper limit incl. CHIP; younger age bands may differ. KFF 2025 survey - confirm with state

Pregnant women

199% of FPL

1 person: $2,647/mo
2 people: $3,589/mo
4 people: $5,473/mo

Includes CHIP pregnancy/unborn-child coverage where offered. KFF 2025 survey - confirm with state

Seniors, blind & disabled

100% of FPL

1 person: $1,330/mo
2 people: $1,803/mo
4 people: $2,750/mo

SSI-related; most states use SSI limit (~74% FPL) or 100% FPL. CA, AZ and a few others have no asset test

QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary)

100% of FPL

1 person: $1,330/mo
2 people: $1,803/mo
4 people: $2,750/mo

Pays Part A & B premiums, deductibles, coinsurance

How South Carolina counts income

Healthy Connections uses Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) for adults, children, parents and pregnant women. MAGI includes wages, self-employment income, Social Security benefits, unemployment, pensions and most taxable income, before taxes. It does not include SSI, child support received, veterans' disability benefits or most gifts. A 5% income disregard is applied automatically, which is why the expansion limit is often quoted as 133% but effectively 138%.

Seniors and people with disabilities are assessed under older, non-MAGI rules that also look at assets. See South Carolina asset limits and long-term care rules.

What if your income is over the limit?

Marketplace coverage. Households between 100% and 400% of FPL can get premium tax credits on HealthCare.gov (in non-expansion states, the floor is 100% FPL).
Children and pregnant women have separate, higher limits; you may be over the adult limit but still have eligible dependents.
Medically needy / spend-down. Some states let you subtract medical bills from income to qualify; ask the agency.
Recheck after a change. Job loss, reduced hours or a new baby can bring you under the limit; you can apply any time of year.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Medicaid income limit in South Carolina for a single person in 2026?

There is no income limit that lets a single, non-disabled adult under 65 without children qualify in South Carolina, because the state has not expanded Medicaid. A single parent qualifies only up to about $1,208 per month (family of two); seniors and disabled adults qualify up to $1,330 per month plus an asset test.

What is the Medicaid income limit in South Carolina for a family of 4?

Parents in a family of four qualify only up to about $1,843 per month in 2026. Children in the same household qualify up to $5,858 per month, so the children are often covered even when the parents are not.

Does South Carolina Medicaid count gross or net income?

Healthy Connections uses MAGI, which is gross income minus specific pre-tax deductions such as retirement contributions and student loan interest. It is closer to gross than net.

Is there an asset limit for South Carolina Medicaid?

Asset limits apply to seniors and people with disabilities; MAGI groups (children, pregnant women, parents) have no asset test.

When do the 2026 limits take effect?

HHS published the 2026 poverty guidelines on January 15, 2026. Most states adopt them for Medicaid between February and April; until then the previous year's figures may still be used.

Sources

Limits are calculated from the federal poverty guidelines using the percentage South Carolina applies to each group, and rounded to the nearest dollar. Your state agency makes the final determination.