Delaware Medicaid income limits in 2026 aren’t a single number. They shift based on household size, which category you fall into, and the specific program you’re applying for. Delaware’s official 2026 table runs on Federal Poverty Level percentages — 87%, 133%, 142%, and 212% — and for most adults, the number that matters is 133% FPL.
Here’s the thing: income alone won’t tell you whether you qualify. Delaware looks at your eligibility group, household composition, countable income, and the financial methodology tied to your category. Skip any one of those and you could land on the wrong conclusion.
The program runs through the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) and its Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance (DMMA). Delaware’s ASSIST system handles screening and applications in one place.
Delaware Medicaid Income Limits by Household Size
Delaware’s official 2026 table lays out these monthly income benchmarks for FPL-related medical assistance programs:
| Household Size | 100% FPL | 87% FPL | 133% FPL | 142% FPL | 212% FPL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,330 | $1,157 | $1,769 | $1,889 | $2,820 |
| 2 | $1,804 | $1,569 | $2,398 | $2,560 | $3,822 |
| 3 | $2,277 | $1,981 | $3,028 | $3,233 | $4,827 |
| 4 | $2,750 | $2,393 | $3,658 | $3,905 | $5,830 |
| 5 | $3,223 | $2,804 | $4,287 | $4,578 | $6,637 |
| 6 | $3,697 | $3,216 | $4,916 | $5,251 | $7,450 |
| 7 | $4,170 | $3,628 | $5,546 | $5,924 | $8,284 |
| 8 | $4,643 | $4,039 | $6,175 | $6,597 | $9,141 |
| The 2026 federal poverty baseline behind these numbers is $15,960 a year for one person, $33,000 for a household of four. Each additional person adds $5,680 to the annual 100% FPL guideline. | |||||
| Treat these as program benchmarks, not a universal cutoff line. There’s no single number that decides every application. |
Why You May See 133% vs. 138% Online
This is where a lot of people get thrown off. You’ll find 133% on one site and 138% on another, and both claim to be talking about the same thing.
Delaware’s official 2026 information puts the Adult Medicaid Expansion group at 133% FPL. That’s adults ages 19–64, including those without dependent children.
So where does 138% come from? It usually traces back to how a site handles the 5% FPL income disregard built into MAGI-based eligibility math. The published standard and the calculation method aren’t the same thing — and conflating them is how the confusion spreads.
Use Delaware’s official 2026 program standards. And don’t talk yourself out of applying just because your income looks slightly above 133% on paper — let DMMA make that call.
You can also See Medicaid Income Limits by State — Full 2026 Guide
Adult Medicaid Income Limits
Adults 19–64 can qualify through Delaware’s Medicaid expansion pathway based on income alone. No dependent children required. The official 2026 standard for this group is 133% FPL.
The monthly benchmarks:
- 1 person: $1,769
- 2 people: $2,398
- 3 people: $3,028
- 4 people: $3,658
Your actual determination still depends on household composition and the methodology Delaware applies to your case.
Can adults without children qualify?
Yes. Delaware’s expansion covers low-income adults 19–64 regardless of whether they have kids.
Parent and Caretaker Relative Medicaid
Parents and caretaker relatives sit in a different category from the adult expansion group entirely — and that trips people up constantly.
Delaware’s 2026 table sets an 87% FPL benchmark here. $1,157 monthly for one person, $2,393 for a household of four.
Don’t apply the adult 133% threshold to a parent or caretaker situation. Different category, different rules.
Pregnancy and Infant Medicaid Income Limits
Pregnancy changes which standard applies to you — often significantly.
Delaware’s 2026 table sets a 212% FPL benchmark for pregnancy and infant-related medical assistance categories. The Delaware Healthy Children Program uses that same 212% standard for qualifying uninsured children under 19.
Some sites list 217% instead. Same story as the 133%/138% mix-up: that extra percentage usually comes from folding an income disregard into the published number. For a 2026 decision, stick with current DHSS/DMMA figures and apply if you think you might qualify.
You can also See Delaware’s 2027 Reimbursement Rates
Children’s Medicaid Income Limits
Kids get sorted by age, and each bracket has its own standard:
- Infants under age 1: 212% FPL
- Children ages 1–5: 142% FPL
- Children ages 6–18: 133% FPL
Which one applies depends entirely on the child’s age and eligibility category — not household income alone.
Delaware Healthy Children Program
If a child doesn’t qualify for Medicaid but still falls within range, the Delaware Healthy Children Program (DHCP) becomes the fallback worth checking.
DHCP covers qualifying uninsured Delaware children under 19 in families with income at or below 212% FPL, assuming other program requirements are met.
What Counts as Income for Delaware Medicaid?
Depends on the program. Not a satisfying answer, but the honest one.
Income that may factor in:
- Wages and employment income
- Social Security
- Unemployment benefits
- Child support
- Retirement income
- Sick pay
- Other countable income
MAGI-based Medicaid programs lean heavily on Modified Adjusted Gross Income specifically. Delaware’s application will ask for household income details plus supporting documentation regardless of category.
Does Delaware Medicaid use gross or net income?
No single answer covers every category. MAGI-based programs follow federal tax rules and disregards; non-MAGI programs run on different financial methodology entirely. That’s exactly why comparing your take-home pay against an income table can lead you astray.
MAGI vs. Non-MAGI Medicaid
Split Delaware Medicaid applicants into two broad financial pathways and it gets easier to follow:
| Pathway | Common applicants | Financial approach |
|---|---|---|
| MAGI-based | Adults, parents, children, pregnancy-related groups | MAGI and applicable FPL standards |
| Non-MAGI | Certain aged, blind or disabled applicants, long-term-care applicants | Different income/resource rules may apply |
| This distinction matters most for Medicare beneficiaries, seniors, people with disabilities, and long-term-care applicants — groups where the standard adult rules simply don’t apply. |
Does Delaware Medicaid Have an Asset Limit?
Not one universal limit. That’s a myth worth clearing up early.
For most MAGI-based categories, things like a bank account, a vehicle, or a home aren’t weighed the same way non-MAGI programs weigh them. Delaware states outright that you can have a car, a bank account, and a home and still qualify.
Different rules apply for:
- Long-term care
- Aged, blind or disabled Medicaid
- Medicare Savings Programs
- Other specialized eligibility categories
Don’t use adult Medicaid income rules to judge nursing-home or long-term-care eligibility. They’re not built for that.
Medicare Savings Programs
Income too high for regular Medicaid but you have Medicare? You may still get help covering Medicare costs.
- QMB — Qualified Medicare Beneficiary
- SLMB — Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary
- QI-1 — Qualified Individual
- QDWI — Qualified Disabled Working Individual
Delaware’s 2026 standards: 100% FPL for QMB, 120% for SLMB, more than 120% through 135% for QI-1, and 200% for QDWI — all subject to program-specific rules.
Medicaid for Workers With Disabilities
Having a job doesn’t automatically shut the door on Medicaid for someone with a disability.
Delaware runs a Medicaid for Workers with Disabilities Program for qualifying employed individuals ages 16 through 64. Worth knowing about if the standard adult expansion pathway doesn’t fit your situation.
What If Your Income Is Over the Medicaid Limit?
Being a little over one threshold doesn’t mean you’re out of options. Walk through this instead:
- Check your household size.
- Identify your applicant category — adult, child, pregnancy, Medicare, disability.
- Figure out whether MAGI or another methodology applies to you.
- Look at related programs like DHCP or Medicare Savings Programs.
- Apply through Delaware ASSIST if there’s a reasonable chance you qualify.
- Let Delaware make the official call.
Don’t assume $50 or $100 over a number you saw online means automatic disqualification. It often doesn’t work that way.
How to Apply for Delaware Medicaid
Start with Delaware ASSIST — the state’s online screening and application platform. It handles eligibility screening, applications, status checks, change reporting, and renewals, all in one account.
Five steps:
- Run ASSIST’s screening tool to check potential eligibility.
- Create or log into your ASSIST account.
- Enter your household and income information.
- Submit whatever verification documents they request.
- Keep an eye on your account and notices for decisions, requests, or renewal deadlines.
Have your Social Security numbers, birth dates, income information, and health insurance details ready — exact requirements vary by program.
Apply or check eligibility through Delaware ASSIST
Where to Get Delaware Medicaid Help
DHSS, DMMA, the Division of Social Services, ASSIST, and State Service Centers all offer assistance statewide.
If you’re searching locally, you’ll find:
- Medicaid assistance in Wilmington
- Medicaid application help in Newark
- Medicaid assistance in Dover
- Medicaid help in Middletown
- Medicaid assistance in Georgetown
- Medicaid services throughout New Castle, Kent, and Sussex Counties
Lean on Delaware’s official resources for eligibility questions rather than private calculators. They don’t always reflect current rules.
Delaware Medicaid Changes in 2026 and 2027
Rules are shifting, and keeping your contact information current matters more than usual right now.
New federal Medicaid coverage requirements for certain noncitizens take effect October 1, 2026. Then, starting January 1, 2027, the Adult Medicaid Expansion group faces new work and community-engagement requirements, plus a switch to six-month renewals instead of the longer cycle.
These changes could affect how — or whether — some people keep their coverage. Check current Delaware guidance rather than relying on what you read last year.
Read Delaware Medicaid ENGAGE updates
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using an outdated 2025 income chart
- Assuming every applicant uses the 133% FPL limit
- Treating 138% as the universal Delaware Medicaid threshold
- Confusing Medicaid with Medicare
- Ignoring pregnancy status or a child’s age
- Assuming all Medicaid programs share the same asset rules
- Judging eligibility off take-home pay instead of countable income
- Forgetting to report household changes
- Relying only on third-party calculators
- Skipping the new 2026–2027 requirement changes
FAQs About Delaware Medicaid Income Limits
What is the Delaware Medicaid income limit in 2026?
There isn’t one universal limit. The adult expansion category sits at 133% FPL — $1,769 monthly for one person, $3,658 for four.
How much can a single person make and qualify for Delaware Medicaid?
For the adult expansion category, the 2026 133% FPL benchmark for one person is $1,769 monthly. Your actual category and methodology can shift that.
What is the Delaware Medicaid income limit for a family of four?
$3,658 at 133% FPL, $3,905 at 142%, or $5,830 at 212% — depends entirely on which program and category applies to your family.
Does Social Security count as income for Delaware Medicaid?
It can, but treatment varies by program. Report it and let Delaware sort out how it’s counted — don’t assume either way.
Can I get Medicaid if I have a job?
Yes. The adult expansion category is income-based regardless of employment, and Delaware also runs a Medicaid for Workers with Disabilities program.
What if I am slightly over the income limit?
You might still qualify under a different category, and income disregards can shift MAGI calculations in your favor. Apply through ASSIST instead of assuming you’re out.
Does pregnancy increase the Medicaid income limit?
Yes — pregnancy moves you into a different eligibility category, and Delaware’s 2026 table sets that benchmark at 212% FPL.
What is the Delaware Healthy Children Program?
DHCP covers qualifying uninsured Delaware children under 19 in families with countable income at or below 212% FPL, assuming other requirements are met.
How do I apply for Delaware Medicaid?
Start with Delaware ASSIST. It screens for eligibility, takes applications, and lets you track status, report changes, and handle renewals from one account.
Conclusion
Delaware Medicaid in 2026 rewards people who check the right category instead of guessing off a single number. The adult expansion group runs at 133% FPL, but parents, kids, pregnant applicants, and Medicare beneficiaries all live under different rules entirely.
If you’re not sure where you land, that’s what ASSIST is for. Fill it out honestly, submit what they ask for, and let DHSS make the determination — guessing costs you nothing, but assuming you’re ineligible might cost you coverage you actually qualify for.
Official Resources
- Apply Now — Delaware ASSIST
- Check Medicaid Updates — Delaware DHSS/DMMA
- Verify Eligibility Rules — Medicaid.gov
- Get Medicare Savings Help — Medicare.gov
Disclaimer: This article is for general guidance purposes only and is not legal, financial, or benefits-eligibility advice. Medicaid policies can change, and final eligibility is determined by Delaware DHSS/DMMA depends on your individual circumstances.
About Naseer
Naseer has 10+ years of experience creating informative content and researching medicare topics. He focuses on simplifying Medicaid and benefits details to support readers find clear, reliable, and easy-to-understand guidance.