Delaware Medicaid Eligibility 2027: Work Rules & How to Apply

Your age and gender can matter for getting Delaware Medicaid. How big your household is and your immigration status can change things. Even your health or disability may make a difference. It’s not always that simple. And 2027 is a way bigger shake-up than usual. New federal rules bring work requirements and more frequent renewals for a lot of adults. Yeah, it’s kind of a lot.

Below you’ll find the income limits Delaware publishes right now, the rules that start January 1, 2027, and how to apply or renew. Eligibility rules are different in every state, so this guide sticks to Delaware only. Want the big national picture? Our Medicaid eligibility by state 2027 guide lines up all fifty states.

Quick Answer: Who Qualifies for Delaware Medicaid?

Low-income kids, parents, pregnant women, adults, seniors, and people with disabilities can qualify, as long as they meet the income and residency rules. Most adults ages 19 to 64 get in through Medicaid expansion, which means household income at or below 133% of the federal poverty level (FPL).

That expansion group covers adults without dependent children too. And starting in 2027, a bunch of them also have to meet work rules to keep their coverage. Not super chill, but it’s doable if you know what’s coming.

Delaware Medicaid Income Limits

Delaware sets its limits as a percentage of the federal poverty level, and the number changes depending on the program and how many people are in your household. The Delaware Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance (DMMA) posts the chart. The 2026 monthly limits started on January 1, 2026, for parents and caretaker relatives, pregnant women, infants, children, adults, and the Delaware Healthy Children Program.

Here are the monthly limits for two key groups, based on the state’s 2026 chart:

Household Size	Adults 19–64 (133% FPL)	Delaware Healthy Children Program (212% FPL)
1	$1,769	$2,820
3	$3,028	$4,827
4	$3,658	$5,830

DMMA’s full chart goes up to ten people and has other percentages too. One person at 133% FPL maxes out at $1,769 a month. A family of four gets $3,658. If you’re comparing Delaware to the states next door, check out our Medicaid income limits by state breakdown.

Will the Limits Change in 2027?

Yep, and pretty soon. The 2027 chart wasn’t out yet when this article was written. Income limits follow the federal poverty guidelines, which usually drop early in the year, and then Delaware updates its chart after that. For 2026, the guidelines came out in January and the state’s limits kicked in on January 1.

The new federal law doesn’t mess with the income percentages themselves. Analysts say the 2025 reconciliation law leaves income eligibility levels alone and instead adds work requirements and six-month renewals for expansion adults.

No Asset Test for Most Groups

Kids, pregnant women, parents, and expansion adults are all judged on Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI), which is just a tax-based way of counting income. Your savings and your car don’t count. Long-term care and disability programs have different rules though, and we’ll get to those below.

Delaware Medicaid for Children and Pregnant Women

Kids can qualify for Medicaid or for the Delaware Healthy Children Program (DHCP), which is Delaware’s version of CHIP. DHCP covers uninsured kids from birth to age 19 in families with countable income at or below 212% of FPL.

Pregnant women have their own income limit. Some immigrant kids and pregnant women can qualify even when other adults with the same status can’t, and that’s explained in the immigration section. For the exact number that fits you, check the DMMA chart.

Medicaid for Seniors and People With Disabilities

Seniors and people with disabilities usually follow different rules than the expansion group. Income counts, and for a lot of programs, assets count too.

Several programs run on set percentages of FPL. DMMA lists 100% for Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB), 120% for SLMB, 135% for QI-1, and 275% for Medicaid for Workers with Disabilities. These programs help pay for Medicare premiums and other costs.

Long-Term Care Medicaid

Nursing home care and home-based long-term care, including Diamond State Health Plan Plus, come with tougher financial rules. DMMA’s SSI table shows $2,485 a month as 250% of the individual SSI standard, and that’s the number people commonly use as the long-term care income benchmark.

Some third-party sites list different numbers, and things get complicated for people who go over the limit. So treat long-term care numbers as a starting point and double-check them with DMMA. One summary of Delaware’s program lists the Central Intake Unit at 1-866-940-8963.

Wondering how Medicaid pays the facilities and providers behind all this stuff? Our Medicaid reimbursement rates by state page covers it.

Non-Income Requirements

Money isn’t the whole story. Applicants generally need to:

• Live in Delaware
• Be a U.S. citizen or have an eligible immigration status
• Give a Social Security number where required

Immigration Status Rules Changed October 1, 2026

This one already happened. Since October 1, 2026, noncitizens need certain statuses to get full Medicaid. Lawful permanent residents who finished the five-year wait (or whose status never needed it) qualify. So do Cuban or Haitian entrants and COFA migrants.

Pregnant women and kids get treated differently under Delaware’s CHIPRA 214 option. Delaware says they can still qualify for full Medicaid even if their status isn’t on that list.

Refugees, asylees, and some parolees are affected by the change. If you or anyone in your household isn’t a U.S. citizen, call DHSS about your exact status.

New Work Requirements Starting January 1, 2027

On January 1, 2027, a lot of Medicaid expansion adults have to show they’re working or doing a qualifying activity. This is the biggest change to Delaware Medicaid eligibility in 2027, no joke.

Delaware’s rule: earn at least $580 a month, or do at least 80 hours a month of work, volunteering or community service, a work program, or at least part-time school or job training.

Who the Rule Applies To

Adults ages 19 to 64 in the expansion group. Parents, guardians, and caregiver relatives of a kid 13 or younger are out, and so are caregivers of a person with a disability.

Kids, pregnant women, seniors, and people covered under other categories generally don’t have to meet it. Advocates also point out that children, pregnant adults, and people with disabilities are exempt under the law.

Exemptions

Delaware has a long list of exemptions:

• Former foster youth under 26
• Members of federally recognized tribes
• Veterans with a 100% total disability rating
• People with serious health needs
• People already meeting SNAP or TANF work rules
• Anyone in substance use treatment
• Pregnant or postpartum enrollees

For a health-related exemption, you might need a form filled out by your doctor. There are also temporary hardship exemptions. A recent hospital or nursing home stay counts, and so does traveling for medical care, living in a declared emergency area, or living somewhere with high unemployment.

Proof at Application

New applicants get an extra step. Delaware says first-time applicants have to show they met the requirement for at least one month before applying. Get ready to hand over pay stubs, school records, or proof of volunteer hours.

Six-Month Renewals for Expansion Adults

Starting in 2027, expansion adults will renew every six months instead of every twelve. Your caseworker checks the info DHSS already has first. If anything’s missing, they’ll ask you for it: pay stubs, school papers, proof of work or volunteer hours.

Federal guidance gives states some room on timing. One option lets a state set renewal dates as close to six months as possible for expansion adults enrolled on January 1, 2027. Delaware hasn’t said exactly how it’ll do it yet, so keep an eye on your mail and your ASSIST account.

Missing deadlines is the number one way people lose coverage. Not sure when your renewal is due? Just call DHSS and ask.

Shorter Retroactive Coverage

Medicaid can sometimes pay for care you got before you applied. But starting January 1, 2027, federal law caps that at 30 days for expansion enrollees and 60 days for traditional enrollees. So apply the second you need coverage. Waiting costs you.

How to Apply for Delaware Medicaid

There’s no open enrollment for Medicaid. You can apply any time of year, and there are four ways to do it.

1. Online: The Delaware ASSIST portal also has a screening questionnaire that checks if you’re eligible.
2. By phone: The Delaware Medicaid Customer Relations Unit picks up at 1-866-843-7212 (TTY 711).
3. In person: Walk into a local Division of Social Services office or state service center.
4. Through HealthCare.gov: Delaware uses it, and applications that look Medicaid-eligible get sent over to Delaware Health and Social Services.

Federal rules allow up to 45 days for a decision, or up to 90 when eligibility depends on a disability. Grab your ID, proof of income, and household details before you start.

An Illustrative Example

This is a hypothetical example, not an official case or a guaranteed outcome. Imagine a single 30-year-old with no kids who earns $1,500 a month. That’s under the $1,769 limit for one person, so the income test is good to go.

After January 1, 2027, that person also has to show 80 hours a month of work, volunteering, or school, or prove an exemption. Then there’s a renewal every six months.

How to Get Ready for the 2027 Changes

DHSS suggests a few moves you can make right now:

• Make a My ASSIST account and download the MyDEMedicalAssistance app
• Make sure DHSS has your current address, phone number, and immigration status
• Read every piece of mail from DHSS, and sign up for email or text alerts
• Report changes in income, household size, work hours, or address

You can report changes by calling 302-571-4900, Option 2, through ASSIST online, or at a local DHSS office. Need a job or training? The Delaware Department of Labor is at 302-761-8085.

If you lose coverage, you can reapply. DHSS says you can apply again any time you meet the requirements or can prove an exemption.

What If You Don’t Qualify?

Missing the cutoff isn’t the end of the world. Delaware uses the federal Marketplace at HealthCare.gov, where you can get income-based financial help. Community health centers offer low-cost care, and Delaware 211 can point you to providers.

FAQs About Delaware Medicaid Eligibility

What is the income limit for Delaware Medicaid in 2027?

The 2027 chart isn’t out yet. For 2026, adults ages 19 to 64 qualify at up to 133% of FPL, which is $1,769 a month for one person. Delaware usually updates limits early in the year, so keep checking the DMMA income limits page.

Does Delaware have Medicaid expansion?

Yep. Delaware covers low-income adults ages 19 through 64, including adults without kids, with household income up to 133% of the federal poverty level. That’s the group hit by the 2027 work and renewal rules.

Do I have to work to keep Delaware Medicaid in 2027?

If you’re an expansion adult, yes, unless you qualify for an exemption. Starting January 1, 2027, you need to earn at least $580 a month or do 80 hours of work, volunteering, school, or training. Parents of kids 13 or younger and people with serious health needs are exempt.

How often will I renew Delaware Medicaid in 2027?

Every six months if you’re an expansion adult. Kids and a lot of seniors stay on the old schedule.

Can non-citizens get Delaware Medicaid?

Only with certain statuses. Since October 1, 2026, full coverage goes to green card holders who meet the waiting-period rules, Cuban or Haitian entrants, and COFA migrants. Pregnant women and kids follow different rules and may still qualify.

How do I apply for Delaware Medicaid?

Apply online through ASSIST, call 1-866-843-7212, or go to a local DHSS office. You can apply all year. Have proof of income, identity, and residency ready so nothing gets stuck.

What happens if I lose Medicaid because I missed paperwork?

You can reapply. Delaware says you can apply again any time you meet the requirements or can prove an exemption. Answer notices fast, because late responses are a top reason coverage ends.

Are there exemptions for people with disabilities?

Yes. Blindness, disability, serious medical or mental health conditions, and substance use disorders can all get you an exemption. Delaware says you might need a form signed by your doctor, and caregivers of a person with a disability may be exempt too.

Conclusion

The income test is the same one it’s always been. What’s new is proving you work and a renewal calendar that’s twice as busy. Honestly, the people who keep their coverage in 2027 will mostly be the ones who opened their mail and answered on time.

Spend ten minutes this week on a My ASSIST account and a contact info check. Future you will be glad you did.

Official Resources

• Check Your Income Limit — Delaware DHSS
• Get Ready for 2027 Changes — Medicaid ENGAGE
• Apply for Benefits Now — Delaware ASSIST
• Compare Marketplace Plans — HealthCare.gov

Disclaimer: This isn’t legal or medical advice. It’s just general info. Your eligibility hinges on your specific situation, which changes. Rules shift, too. So don’t guess. Check with Delaware Health and Social Services first. And call DMMA to be sure.