There’s no single income cutoff for Mississippi Medicaid. That’s the first thing to understand before you go searching for “the number.” Eligibility depends on who’s applying — a child, a pregnant woman, a parent, a senior — plus household size and which income methodology applies to that category. The Mississippi Division of Medicaid’s current income table took effect March 1, 2026.
Children, pregnant women, parents, and caretakers each get their own standard. Seniors and people with disabilities often qualify through entirely different Medicaid pathways, with their own income and resource rules layered on top.
2026 Mississippi Medicaid Income Limits at a Glance
These are the monthly income limits published by the Mississippi Division of Medicaid for the applicable MAGI categories.
| Household Size | Infants Birth–1 | Children 1–6 | Children 6–19 | Parents/Caretakers | Pregnant Women | CHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2,648 | $1,969 | $1,836 | $294 | $2,648 | $2,847 |
| 2 | $3,589 | $2,669 | $2,489 | $396 | $3,589 | $3,859 |
| 3 | $4,531 | $3,370 | $3,142 | $498 | $4,531 | $4,873 |
| 4 | $5,473 | $4,071 | $3,796 | $600 | $5,473 | $5,886 |
| 5 | $6,415 | $4,771 | $4,449 | $702 | $6,415 | $6,898 |
| 6 | $7,357 | $5,472 | $5,102 | $804 | $7,357 | $7,912 |
| 7 | $8,299 | $6,173 | $5,756 | $906 | $8,299 | $8,925 |
| 8 | $9,241 | $6,872 | $6,408 | $1,007 | $9,241 | $9,937 |
For households larger than eight, Mississippi adds an amount per additional person. That amount changes depending on the program.
Keep in mind: these are monthly standards. Your actual eligibility comes down to the specific category you fall into and how Mississippi counts your household and income.
Also Compare Medicaid Income Limits by State — Medi Benefits Guide
Which Mississippi Medicaid Income Limit Applies to You?
Figure out who’s applying first. Everything else follows from that.
If You Are Pregnant
Pregnant women, regardless of age, fall under the pregnancy Medicaid standard — 194% of the Federal Poverty Level. Household size gets adjusted to include the expected baby, or babies.
For a household of four, that puts the 2026 monthly limit at $5,473.
One more thing worth knowing: Mississippi covers pregnant women for 12 months postpartum.
If You Are Applying for a Child
Age changes the math here. Three brackets:
- Birth through age 1: 194% FPL
- Age 1 through 6: 143% FPL
- Age 6 through 19: 133% FPL
Two kids in the same house can land under two different standards, just because of their ages.
If You Are a Parent or Caretaker
This is where things get tight. Mississippi’s income standard for parents and caretaker relatives of children under 18 sits well below the child and pregnancy limits.
A family of four? The monthly amount is $600.
That gap explains a scenario that trips people up constantly — a child qualifies for Medicaid while the parent, in the same household, doesn’t.
If You Are an Adult Without Dependent Children
Here’s where Mississippi diverges sharply from many other states. The state has not adopted ACA Medicaid expansion as of 2026. Low income by itself doesn’t create eligibility for a childless adult.
You’d need another qualifying category — disability, age, pregnancy, or a specialized program. Don’t assume that falling under some percentage of the FPL guarantees coverage. It doesn’t, not on its own.
Mississippi Medicaid vs. CHIP
CHIP — the Children’s Health Insurance Program — covers uninsured kids who don’t qualify for Medicaid.
Mississippi set its 2026 CHIP standard at 209% FPL. For a family of four, that’s $5,886 a month.
| Program | Main Population | Family of 4 Monthly Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Infant Medicaid | Birth–age 1 | $5,473 |
| Child Medicaid | Age 1–6 | $4,071 |
| Child Medicaid | Age 6–19 | $3,796 |
| CHIP | Uninsured children up to 19 | $5,886 |
Mississippi checks Medicaid eligibility first. CHIP only comes into play after that.
Say a child’s family income lands above the Medicaid limit but still falls within CHIP’s range — that child may still get covered, just through CHIP instead.
How Mississippi Calculates Income
Mississippi runs MAGI — Modified Adjusted Gross Income — rules for the applicable Medicaid and CHIP categories. These follow IRS principles and determine both countable income and, in some cases, household size.
Income counted under MAGI can include:
- Wages and salary
- Self-employment income
- Other taxable income
- Certain household income reported under MAGI rules
Mississippi also applies a 5% FPL disregard where it’s needed. The published limits already build that in.
Does Mississippi Medicaid Use Gross or Net Income?
Gross. For MAGI programs, Mississippi compares household gross income against the limit, using MAGI methodology to land on countable income. Your take-home pay isn’t the number Medicaid is looking at.
Does Pregnancy Change Household Size?
Yes. Mississippi counts expected babies toward family size when figuring pregnancy Medicaid eligibility.
Do Seniors and People With Disabilities Use the Same Limits?
No — and this is a mistake people make constantly. Grabbing the standard children’s or parent/caretaker MAGI table and applying it to someone aged, blind, or disabled just doesn’t work.
Mississippi runs specialized pathways for these groups, including:
- Aged, Blind and Disabled applicants
- People receiving SSI
- Working Disabled individuals
- People needing long-term care
- Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS)
- Medicare Savings Programs
- Qualified Medicare Beneficiary programs
- Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary programs
- Katie Beckett-related coverage
Each of these can carry its own financial and non-financial requirements.
Do Medicaid Assets and Savings Count?
Depends entirely on the category. MAGI-based programs generally don’t factor in resources the way ABD and long-term-care pathways do. Some of those programs test savings, property, and other assets directly.
If you’re applying based on age or disability, don’t lean on the standard MAGI table. Ask specifically what resource rules apply to your situation.
Mississippi Medicaid and the Coverage Gap
Non-expansion status makes adult eligibility a genuinely different conversation in Mississippi than in expansion states.
A parent can face a completely different eligibility test than their own child, living in the same house. An adult who doesn’t fit any Medicaid category may need to look elsewhere — Marketplace coverage, for instance.
A Medicaid denial isn’t the end of the road. The application process itself can connect you with other coverage options when Medicaid doesn’t pan out.
How to Apply for Mississippi Medicaid
You don’t need certainty going in. Apply even if you’re not sure where you land.
1. Identify the applicant category. Child, pregnant woman, parent or caretaker, senior, disabled person, or something else — figure out which one fits.
2. Determine household size. Pregnant? Remember, expected children count toward household size.
3. Gather income information. Recent pay stubs, W-2s, or similar documentation — Mississippi wants to see it.
4. Submit an application. Online, by mail, by fax, in person, or over the phone. Pick whatever works for you.
5. Respond to verification requests. If something can’t be verified electronically, or it conflicts with what’s on file, expect a request for more documentation.
6. Monitor your application. The state’s online portal handles applications, document uploads, notices, status checks, renewals, and change reporting — all in one place.
7. Review the eligibility decision. Missing information or unclear details usually means a call or letter from the regional office.
What Documents Do You Need?
Prepare information such as:
- Social Security numbers or applicable immigration document numbers
- Dates of birth
- Recent pay stubs or W-2s
- Employer and income information
- Current health insurance policy numbers
- Information about employer-sponsored health insurance
This list comes straight from Mississippi’s own application guidance.
Mississippi Medicaid Offices and Statewide Help
Mississippi Medicaid runs a central office in Jackson, backed by 30 regional offices covering the state. Each regional office serves a defined set of counties.
Jackson, Gulfport, Hattiesburg, Biloxi, Tupelo, Meridian, Oxford, Southaven, Vicksburg, Natchez — wherever you’re located, there’s a regional office positioned to help.
For phone assistance, call the Mississippi Division of Medicaid at 800-421-2408.
FAQs Mississippi Medicaid Income Limits
What Is the Mississippi Medicaid Income Limit for a Family of Four in 2026?
Depends on the category. $5,473 for infants and pregnant women, $4,071 for children 1–6, $3,796 for children 6–19, $600 for parents/caretakers, and $5,886 for CHIP.
How Much Can I Make and Still Qualify for Medicaid in Mississippi?
There’s no universal number. It comes down to your eligibility group, household size, and the methodology that applies. Children and pregnant women get substantially higher standards than parents or caretakers.
Can a Child Qualify for Medicaid If the Parent Does Not?
Yes, and it happens often. Children’s income limits run considerably higher than the parent/caretaker standard.
Does Mississippi Medicaid Count Savings?
Sometimes. MAGI-based programs don’t test resources the way ABD and long-term-care programs do. Applying based on age or disability? Ask about resource requirements specifically.
Does Mississippi Have Medicaid Expansion in 2026?
No. Mississippi remains a non-expansion state. Adults without a qualifying category can’t assume low income alone gets them covered.
What Is the Mississippi CHIP Income Limit?
209% FPL for 2026. For a household of four, that’s $5,886 a month. CHIP covers uninsured children up to 19, and Medicaid eligibility gets checked first.
What Is the Pregnancy Medicaid Income Limit in Mississippi?
194% FPL. For a household of four, $5,473 a month. Expected babies count toward household size too.
How Do I Apply for Mississippi Medicaid Online?
Through the state’s online benefits portal. Mail, fax, regional offices, and phone assistance are all options too.
What Happens If My Income Is Too High for Medicaid?
Don’t stop looking after one table says no. Check other eligibility categories, see if a child qualifies for CHIP, or look into Marketplace coverage. What fits depends entirely on your household.
How Often Do Mississippi Medicaid Income Limits Change?
They track changes in the Federal Poverty Level. The current 2026 table took effect March 1, 2026 — always confirm you’re looking at the latest version before applying.
Conclusion
There’s no shortcut here, and honestly, that’s the point. Mississippi Medicaid income limits split by who you are, how big your household is, and what category you fall under — children, pregnant women, parents, CHIP applicants, seniors, people with disabilities, all different rules.
The current MAGI table has been in effect since March 1, 2026. If your income sits close to a limit, changes month to month, or you’re applying for a child, during pregnancy, or based on age or disability — don’t try to guess your way through it with a calculator. Submit accurate information and let the Mississippi Division of Medicaid make the call. That’s what they’re there for.
Official Resources
- Check Your Income Limit — Mississippi Division of Medicaid
- Apply for Coverage Now — Mississippi Division of Medicaid
- Find CHIP Eligibility Details — InsureKidsNow.gov
- Get Marketplace Options — Healthcare.gov
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational guidance and is not legal, financial, or benefits advice. Medicaid rules and income standards can change. Final eligibility is determined by the Mississippi Division of Medicaid based 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.